How to Landscape with Boulders

Within the last 10 years there has been a great shift in landscaping trends. Out are straight lines and perfectly manipulated hedges. In, are flowing curves and plants allowed to grow into their natural shapes. It is true that often the architecture of the home, or desires of the homeowner, will call for formal structure, but more homeowners today want a relaxed look and low maintenance.

Boulders exemplify the natural garden and add a wild texture, color and form to the landscape. Using boulders in landscape architecture is a technique originally employed by observing how the Japanese and Chinese construct their gardens. They in fact perfected the use of rock and boulders – therefore making it a landscape art-form. For more info on designing a Japanese or Chinese garden take a look at The Do-It-Yourself Japanese Garden.

By strategically placing these moss-covered or granite boulders in an arrangement, we may view the groupings as pleasing to look at, while one trained in oriental design will see an island in a tranquil sea. The idea is to duplicate a piece of nature with boulders – therefore the symbolism.

Firstly you’ll need to decide which type of boulder to use. Sand and gravel suppliers will often stock moss covered boulders (the most popular to work with), granite, serpentine and other more exotic types such as petrified wood boulders, and unusual colored strata forms.

One tip here on making your boulder selection:

Since you will be paying for your boulders by the pound, (they are placed on huge scales and weighed) look for as little below ground soil line as possible. The soil line divides the original above/below ground position of the boulder. In other words, you don’t want to pay for unsightly boulders – especially if they’re priced like a t-bone.

Once the selection is made, you’ll need to get them to the landscape site. If small enough they can be loaded into your truck with a fork lift, supported on a pallet. From there, you’ll most likely need a hand- cart, or a boulder dolly for larger ones. Don’t be fooled by the size. A small boulder can be impossible to move by yourself so be fully informed as to size and ability to move.

If you like huge boulders, companies such as RoundTree Moss Rock, located in Sacramento, California is in business to make you happy. They actually harvest the boulders with a crane and will deliver them to the site and crane them exactly where you want them – and yes, without any strain to your back.

How to design with boulders:

When placing boulders in the garden, be certain to never place them in a straight line. Use the triad method of arrangement, which places them in triangular formations with unequal distances between them. Also, be certain to excavate the soil down so the boulders are placed back to their original soil line for best appearance.

Not all boulders are beautiful. They can be softened and transformed with an ornamental grass, ground cover, or low shrub. If you really don’t like it at all, try a clinging evergreen vine (ficus repens – commonly known as creeping fig if your zone allows) to cover it.

One final note:

If you choose moss covered rock boulders and live in a hot summer climate with no rainfall during this period – be careful not to water the landscape during the heat of the day. Irrigation moisture will bring the moss to life (it goes dormant during dry summer periods and turns a brownish-green) and if this occurs during a hot sunny period, the sun will cook your beautiful moss and over a period of time kill it.