Hi Susie,
I have a rock garden in my front yard as well. I remember reading (Lincoln Foster?) that it's a cardinal rule to always have them in a more natural setting and never in the front. Some people like my garden and others I know don't. My rock garden and my native shade garden kind of blend into each other. But then on the south side of my house, I have a regular perennial bed. My attitude is, life is short. Where I have my gardens are the only really reasonable places for them, so I try to make them pleasing to the public, but to me as well. I bet your garden is beautiful - but also completely original, and what can be better than that!
Cassiope

I have never heard about rock gardens not supposed to being in front yards. Now that's something else I'll have to think about. Actually there is no other way to garden in my front. They actually blasted to build this house. It really is mostly rock. A lot of houses in Pgh. are set up high of the streets, so it's a natural thing to do around here. My Mom's house was the same. She too did creeping roses, phlox, and irises. I just want more I guess. More of everthing. It is unique i guess.

No rock garden in the front yard? Now that's just small thinking. Even if Foster did say it. Maybe he was thinking of other concerns more prevalent in his day. When I build one, it WILL be in my front yard.

So if you live in the hight mountains where the alpine garden IS you front (and back) yard, what are you to do? (Now I'm being absurd.)

It's just silly, I tell ya. Just silly.
Rick

A cardinal rule in landscape design?!! I know of non. Generalities, yes, but no absolutes. Well, plant the green side up. I have two rock gardens and both are in the 'front yard'. If Lincoln Foster made that statement, his credibility is shot in my book.
The tricky part of placing a rock garden in a landscape with other styles is the transition between the two, not whether it's in the front yard or not.

Susie, Leftwood and BoTann,
I"m sorry - I'm not sure who it was (now I need to go to the library and look it up). I should keep my mouth shut. Some members of the Alpine Forum are incredibly experienced professionals - which I am not. My only point is, garden how you like.
Cassiope

Oh no! Don't shut up! It still makes good conversation, and everyone benefits.

Hi Susie again.
I hope you do post your pics.I did go to the library - and the book has been eliminated! So disregard what I said! As a fellow gardener, I'd say try combining your rock garden with a cottage garden. I'm sure there must be some natural rock gardens where this happens. (screes meeting meadows?).

Just a personal comment - I live in a neighborhood, where many people use a lawn service. My natural garden doesn't please some of these folks (including my neighbor). The attitude is I should coordinate my yard with theirs. I guess I thought that's where you were going with your question.

Thank you all.I don't know what I'm worried about, as no one on my entire street really has a garden. On my side every house sits high off of the street, yet mine is the only one that actually has a garden. All of the others have terraced their's off with logs or cement blocks, so ugly. What makes it worse is that some actually have grass between the logs and blocks! Imagine that. Some just have weeds and others throw in some annuals along side of the little grass strips. Even on the low side of the street, there isn't much gardeing going on there either, just grass and chain link, and a few shrubs. I ask you, what in the heck am I worried about? I really wish that someone around here had an intrest in real gardening!

We are using this section of the highest elevation as a drainage area by using rock, gravel, old wheel rims and tubs to elevate plants. The lavender is surviving so far, with nierembergia around the edge of rim. I filled some of the rims with portulacea which was very pretty during the hotter time of summer. EP

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Oh Susie,
I don't know if other people check out member pages, but I do - I like to see how others like to garden. There are some truly inspiring pics on members' pages here, as well as other great info. - directly related to your question.

I think the main problem would be, many of the traditional cottage garden plants probably wouldn't grow well there. Many of them like a fairly rich soil that's on the moist side, and slopes usually tend to be dry with lean soil. If your plants are growing well though & you like the appearance of the garden, I say "Go for it!".

Trudi has a good point. But I don't know if either of you has the High Country Gardens catalogue? They're based in New Mexico - so many of their plants aren't appropriate for wetter climates, but some are. However they specialize in xeric gardening. Their catalogue is gorgeous - but I find their prices quite spendy. Anyway their catalogue is full of ideas for drier conditions and is a great reference.

Here is a link that might be useful: High Country Gardens

I used to live in the upstairs appartment of an old house in an old neighborhood. The front yard was completely neglected. I got permission from the landlord to garden and grew a big vegetable garden there exposed to the street. There was no back yard. I added a few roses and other perrennials for my own pleasure. It was a neighborhood where everyone walks and everyone loved my garden and stopped to give advice from their experience or to compliment me. I hadn't thought about the location. I just wanted a garden. It wasn't until after people began to stop and introduce themselves that I realized it was unusual but very appreciated. Of course now some neighborhoods forbid no outdoor laundry lines in the attempt to standardize and make us all look like we're out of the publishers clearinghouse sweepstakes. I say let the cardinal wear his red and the rest of us live our pleasure. It seems to please those who either do the same or who wish that they could.
Enjoy your garden and everyone who is anyone will also.
Tom

I think I have a cottage gardening style and I also think I have a rock garden, in the front yard no less. Do what makes you happy!

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UtahJulia, how beautiful!!!

Susiebuckhouse, I am doing a rockscape with cottage plants incorporated in my front yard, with play area (lawn edged with cottage flowers) in back. I am transitioning via increasingly narrowed rockscapes down the sides. This is this garden's first year --I'm spreading the rock tomorrow!

People refer to "rules", but usually that is more a reflection of their (limited) experience or personal favourites. We can't make every one happy with our gardens, so we have to go with our hearts. My front yard will not be what most people here have, but they're apparently less concerned with environmental issues. I like to think of my garden as a "pioneer", or as an idea factory!

Have you thought about incorporating some of the Med. plants in your "rock garden"? I'm thinking about things like lavendula, golden oregano, etc. Also, heaths & heathers might do well w/some peat thrown in the hole & mixed in with the planting backfill. Some of the ornamental grasses would be beautiful & extend the season well into late fall. Gaura would do well in you situation also as would Russian Sage. There's a beautiful white/green variegated Cotoneaster that would drape beautifully over the rocks/hills & provide red berries for interest in late summer/fall & also food for the birds. Stachys (Lamb's Ear) will also do very well and add some silver foliage. I love Blue Oat Grass w/a rock as a backdrop. Oh, I wish I had a rock garden...:( My site is coastal, damp, shady, and it's a very good thing I LOVE moss! Most of all, I hope you have fun & enjoy your garden. You are improving your own environment, increasing your property value, beautifying the neighborhood, and providing food & shelter for local wildlife. It's a win, win...