I notice my rock mountain looks a bit like a camel's head emerging from the ground. Sorry. I'm sure you could do bettter.with actual rocks.

HI -- Rock gardens are hard to do without it ending up looking like a gravel pit or pile and that is sort of what has happened here . There is no texture of color with the rocks and gravel so it all looks like it was just dumped there . The Japanese do rock gardens the best , so maybe look at some pictures of Japanese landscaping to help you with some ideas for yours . The Japanese maple will be more of a focal point the summer after next . I think you need to find a big distinctive feature rock that has some height to back the maple tree and maybe taking some of the gravel away for some planting areas of moss or grasses or even just sand . Colorful aquarium gravel can add some interest too . And also a big garden statue or fountain or a stone pagoda , maybe with a light or candle ... something man made for another point of interest . This may take a couple of years to get this arranged so it looks good to you .

I think you've put together a nice base that you can now build upon to create visual interest. You do have a very monochromatic rock garden, so I would pick up some larger rocks with darker tones. I'd also pick up some succulents or drought resistant plants to create height variation; for example,

River Rocks · More Info

the garden used larger boulders, sand, beach pebbles, and succulents to arrange their garden. Here is a garden with a similar feel to your own. Grab some decorative pots and larger palm like plants and you are on your way.

FLA Rock Garden Landscape · More Info

Lastly, I would recommend using some rope light along the trim to create interest in the evening. Something like this backyard idea. Hope this helps!

Thank you soo much for your ideas lefty - going back to square 1

If the fence is going to stay there the tree may be planted a bit to close to it to allow growth. You've made a good start; it will be very attractive. I would enlarge the whole garden for more impact.

FLA Rock Garden · More Info

There is an art to designing a rock garden and it can take a lot of thought and many years to perfect. Lefty47 was right on about Japanese rock gardens. One Japanese principle is to create a dry rock bed that is meant to resemble a stream or river. You can then add a few "stepping stones" that cross over the dry rock bed. In other rock gardens, larger stones are supposed to look natural, as if they were there for years and years, so they are only partially exposed and spread out in more natural formations. Plant close to the stones so that the flowers or leaves add a nice contrast of texture and color. Consider adding a statue or bird bath, perhaps a little bench or larger rock on which to sit and admire the garden..... And, yes, move the red maple away from the fence and rock mulch.

Great advice - thank you - patience and time seem to be what we need!

Oh, I do like the advice you've had, Sloaner Gal. Gardens do take time. They want patience and then reward it magnificently.

Yes, I agree with the sentiments to add some more mass using larger and fewer rocks. I like left47's comment about a large rock near the maple. Also, I would remove the line of similarly sized rocks, all in a row. Then, I would replace it either with a single massive rock, or perhaps 3 varying sized rocks arranged together, rock garden style, to represent mountains or relationships.