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Rockery stones - advice please.

2oaktrees2oaktrees West Midlands Posts: 159
edited January 2019 in Garden design
Hi
I want to build a rockery at the back of our garden next to a large maple tree. Want to use stone that will inhibit the growth of moss (if possible) and something that won’t weather too quickly. 

I would appreciate any ideas about which type of stone is best to use please. 

Thanks 
SC

Posts

  • PosyPosy Isle of Wight.Posts: 2,769
    The harder the stone, the less it will weather, but you often get a more natural look if you use stone local to the area. No matter how attractive, Welsh slate can seem odd in the Cotswolds and vice versa!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Billericay, EssexPosts: 7,490
    If you have a local garden centre or pond fish retailer, they often have rocks suitable for ponds - often called Fish Friendly rocks/stones. Such rocks will be hard and won't weather too fast.
    I used Yorkstone in and around my pond
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • NollieNollie Girona, Catalunya, Northen Spain.Posts: 5,023
    Granite is tough and hardwearing, with a honed or polished finish more moss-resistant that a local, textured sandstone or similar, but might look a bit unnatural. If your garden is prone to moss, why not embrace it, Japanese-style? Some mosses combined with ferns, alpines, native bulbs, etc., would look lovely. Depends on the style of your garden and/or the look are going for, of course...
  • wild edgeswild edges The north west of south east WalesPosts: 6,521
    Do you have any photos of the kind of look you're after?
    Unlike the brain, the stomach warns you when it's empty.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Bath, SomersetPosts: 7,787
    Unfortunately I would think twice before putting a rockery under any tree as it would get covered in leaves in the autumn which would kill small alpines and the shade underneath is not ideal. If you were thinking of ferns though, that might be better. I speak from bitter experience as we inherited a rockery with deeply embedded large stones under trees. I've really struggled with it over the years.
  • caroline_averycaroline_avery Posts: 1
    We are also from West Midlands and found best to get Pennant Blue from a quarry near Monmouth. 
  • 2oaktrees2oaktrees West Midlands Posts: 159
    Thank you to everyone for all your comments and useful advice. 
  • 2oaktrees2oaktrees West Midlands Posts: 159
    caroline_avery said:
    We are also from West Midlands and found best to get Pennant Blue from a quarry near Monmouth. 
    Thanks @calorine_avery, would you mind sending me a pm with details please. 
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