Pat - I don't what others think about it. I'm not a professional landscaper but that is what I did. I used several large granite rocks that they dug out of the ground while grading. I set them up, filled with dirt, compost, and permatil. Then I planted a bunch of sedum.

permatill! good idea -- i was reading about using gravel, but i just happen to have some permatill sitting around. i checked a couple of books on rock gardening out of the library today. i started to compile a list of plants to use and sedum is definitely on it. i'm also considering ice plants, creeping phlox, and azaleas. thanks! :)

I got my information from someone here. Below is a link to that conversation. It was very informative and there are pictures of my modest garden.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/carolgard/msg042049429802.html

wow, thanks for the link! that was good stuff. and your rock garden looks great!

i now have a pretty good idea how to get started. i think that the rock garden will be my major project of the season. thanks again! :)