A rock garden is an inventive way to add structure and beauty to your outdoor space. Once constructed, it’s also low maintenance! And if you’ve just moved into a new house and discovered that the builders have thoughtfully left lots of hardcore in your garden, or you’ve just had building work done, it’s a good way of re-using old rubble.

Traditionally rockeries have been a way of displaying alpine plants. Alpines grow on the sides of mountains in exposed areas in poor soils, so they generally need a sunny spot and good drainage.

But actually there’s nothing to stop you building your rock garden in part or even full-shade, it’s just that the plants you use will be different and the variety available to you will be a bit more limited.

Tip: make sure the majority of the plants you choose are evergreen, otherwise it’ll look rather bare in winter. Usually the plants that are used in a rock garden are low-growing with smallish root systems.