dirtdorphins said:
What rock material do you have available?
I can gather plenty of local field stone. Some of our other garden areas also incorporate slate or shale type flat rock for steppers, and crushed limestone for soil coverings, but those I have to bring in.
dirtdorphins said:
Is the mini-mountain for drainage or aesthetics or both?
The ideas behind the mini-mountain are:
Improved drainage in a new bed (all the rest are filled to overflowing)
Added height to improve air circulation (to help control rot)
Overhanging shelves of rock to help keep the most moisture-susceptible crowns dry
Crevices, also for proper moisture levels (the crowns can't sink too deeply and rot)
Added height so that my poor vision isn't such an issue in viewing the tiniest plants
dirtdorphins said:
How is your drainage? do I recall some seasonal flooding lake or something or am I getting people's places mixed up?
Yes, we're on clay, and the center of our yard is a natural pathway for storm water runoff; the moisture-lovers like it there. Most of the rest of the yard is comprised of gentle slopes.
dirtdorphins said:
How's your humidity--some plants that flourish in lean summer-dry soil in arid environments will literally melt in high humidity. (for example, Stachys lavandulifolia, or so I have read. I don't know about IN, but I used to live in MN and recall miserably humid summers.
We can have high humidity, but not so much in the past several years. I'm assuming that's due to the fact that we're in a tiny pocket that gets no rain after mid-June. Most of the summer there's a southwesterly breeze coming off the lake, and right through the area that I plan to use. The Stachys lavandulifolia may have to reside on our south-facing, covered porch where there's a ceiling fan that can be used to stir the air. There's going to be a lot of trial and error going on, as I've never tried these types of plants here before.
I'm planning at least two different methods for each of these plantings; one in rock, and one in standard raised beds that (so far) have provided excellent drainage for regular garden plants...just to see.
I have some Lewisia overwintering in one of those now. I'll be interested to see if it survives. If it does, I may not need as many rock beds/planting areas as I'm thinking I might.
