This popular gardening trend combines a fresh twist on alpine charm with practical design
Have you ever noticed wild plants growing from cracks and crevices between rocks? There’s something remarkable about plants that can thrive in such harsh conditions, their tiny, jewel-like flowers and delicate-looking foliage providing a stark contrast to the rugged landscape that surrounds them. Our sense of wonder at these miniature specimens explains why alpine gardens, or rockeries as they are also called, were so popular. As garden tastes changed, rockeries fell out of fashion in the latter part of the last century, but anew kid on the block – the crevice garden – is reviving interest in this style of planting once more.
Crevice gardening first originated in the Czech Republic in the 1980s and the concept has since spread through Europe and North America. It differs from traditional rock gardening (where large stones were placed flat on top of the soil almost like steps) by partially burying thinner stone or slate slabs vertically on their edge, close together to form narrow gaps, mimicking natural rock formations.
The tiny slithers of space create a microclimate for plants, water can drain away from the crown of the plant and thus prevent rot, and roots are encouraged to grow deep down where the soil is cool and moist, helping the plant to cope with periods of drought. While rock gardens focus on using alpine plants, crevice gardens – depending on your climate – can draw on a wider range of plants, such as those from deserts and subtropical regions. And if you don’t have the space or right spot for a full-scale crevice garden, the ideas can be easily scaled down to fit a container.
Design Tips
●Choose a site in full sun, away from the shade and roots of trees and mature shrubs, where water doesn’t collect, as really good drainage is crucial. It’s also important to make sure the soil is free of weeds, especially perennial ones, before you start building.
●To emulate a natural mountain look, create undulations when placing the stones, with those in the middle and towards the back being placed higher than those towards the edges. This will also help with drainage.
●Use stone in a range of sizes and shapes that ties in with your local area; for instance, slate and granite in Cornwall or sandstone in Pennine Yorkshire. Not only will this reduce the carbon footprint of transporting the stone, it will help to achieve the natural look you’re aiming for.
● Seek out a stonemason and check the proven
