Blackheath rocksĀ in their giant, natural form are a tourist’s delight.
OnĀ a domestic scale, they are a wonderful resource for property owners.Ā SometimesĀ I think I could turn our entire Blue MountainsĀ garden into aĀ commercial quarry.
The rocks that comeĀ out the ground hereĀ are so varied and useful. This one had depression of a few centimeters which I filled with soil and plantedĀ up withĀ hardy succulents.Ā I have to admit that I didn’t expect them to do quiteĀ so well.
The following photo shows a new example, with barely any depression at all.
It rains a lot in Blackheath, which is why many rocks become covered in moss and lichens; truly nature’s art.
A seaside daisy has made this one its home. Talk about opportunistic.
A freestone wall such as thisĀ can only described as rustic, to put it mildly. That’s because I built it myself.Ā š
Here isĀ a little seat along our woodland path.
And now forĀ the biggest slab to emerge thus far. It has become a seat out by the woodheap, hence the kindling. Rather than wait for my partner Rob’s help I managed to wrestle it onto those pavers myself. It’s amazing what an old lady can do when she is inspired by a garden project!Ā š
This flat rockĀ is used on an old stump as a quaint plant stand.
Many of our paths have been edged with stone. The following photo is of the lowest terrace. TheĀ path has beenĀ finished with a surface of road base, mixed withĀ off-white cement.
EvenĀ very small stones have been incorporated into projects.Ā We used them as fill when our sandstone front steps were being constructed.Ā The sandstone was not from here though, It came from demolished buildings around Circular Quay.
ERASINGĀ BLOTS WITHĀ ROCKS
I came home from a few days in Sydney recentlyĀ to find that a large patch of Woolly Yarrow at our entrance had completely died. I have no idea what happened to it, but with visitorsĀ arriving the next day something had to be done. The solution?Ā Yes…… a decorativeĀ rock. Gap filled. š
On a final note, my associate Editor Des BearĀ insisted I include his version ofĀ Katoomba’s famous Three Sisters. He unearthed them while planting his potatoes.
By the way, if the cost of living rises much more I may have to seriously considerĀ opening thatĀ commercial quarry.
FOR MORE IDEAS USING ROCKS IN LANDSCAPING, CLICK HERE.
Love it, as always.. <3
Thanks Chris. x
I love most things in a garden, but I especially love succulents and lichens
I don’t have much luck with succulents, only the common old ones in the story. I do love lichens though…natures art.