Anyone here ever built a rock garden?

[Tollster]

I am trying to tye in my "Pennsylvania Stonewall" project found under that title here in projects. The area is above the lower wall near the pond.
Its a sunny slope with shale/rocky subsoil. Any ideas on rock placement or orientation, or any tips would be a greta help. Its too steep to safely use a backhoe for excavation, so I am thinking pick and shovel to bury 1/3 of the stones for a more natual look. My brother in law has a 50 horse bota and will help move some of the larger stones on place with bucket forks. The largest stones I have are about 800 lbs to 1000 lbs and I have an assortment of smalle stones matching color, and texture of the wall.
Problem is I am have a hrad time trying to visualize placement. I was thinking about saving the larger ones for near the top of the slope, but I want it to all tie together well and balance the look.
Help....

 

[ToadHill]

The wife and I built one on a slope in back of our place over the last three summers. We used stones and rocks found around our place and started with the large stones on top and worked our way to smaller stones on the bottom. We made a meandering design that makes it look like a stream flowing downhill.

We threw some dirt between the larger rocks and planted hens and chickens to make it look line the rock stream is coming out of the ground. Have fun with the project, and remember if it doesn't look right to you just change it.

 

[mytoys]

I've never built a rock garden but i do operate a small rock and weed farm here in North Stonington Ct

I have piles and piles of rocks that i've dug up on my property. Everytime i think i've gotten them all an new crop pops up in the spring.

 

[forgeblast]

Hehe, Living in Pa we have no lack of rocks. I just finished building some stackstone/fieldstone walls. Around me Bluestone quarrys are all over .

There is a great program on diy channel. Rock solid.
They have built stonewalls, and have done rock gardens.
Its also explained in a way that anyone can do it.

To see rockgardens done at a truly high art look up the japanese rock gardens. Many of the zen temples have meditation gardens.

I know the ratio is going to be an important aspect. Think threes, and think mama bear, papa bear, baby bear. You want large, medium, and small in the sizes. Threes are just pleasing to the eyes, you do not have to worry about balanencing the design, our eyes naturally group them. Before a project I walk through borders and look at the books they have then I try to get them from the library.
Good luck
Forgeblast

 

[slaveToHorses]

I have done several, actually more than several, rock gardens.

Large stones work at the top if you are going for a degenerating cliff look, otherwise they work well at the bottom. If you put them at the bottom you can fill in around and behind them and build out the slope with top soil. That way you don't have to do as much excavating. Just make sure you water and compress the soil as you go.

I always build in meandering shelves as well as pockets for plants. The shelves are really handy later for walking access to maintain the garden.

Remember that weeds are going to grow there no matter what you do so make sure you have access to weed it without a top rope and climbing rig, although I have done that too

I agree with the previous comment about grouping in three's.

I'll bet there are a large number of folks on this site that are trying just as hard to avoid rock gardens!! I guess that's just part of the Ying and Yang of it all...