Do you have a part of your yard where nothing will grow? Think about putting in a rock garden.

Once established, these low maintenance gardens can be a real conversation starter.

Most Rock gardens are based around plants that are tough and have few needs.

Take the rocks from other parts of your yard or find them in a deserted area where it's permissible to collect them. Make sure they haven't been in an area where they've been contaminated by chemicals from passing automobiles or industrial areas.

Spread them out or piled them up in a way that looks artistic because remember the rocks themselves will be part of the beauty of your garden.

Put a bit of sandy soil in between the rocks and then install your plants as you would in any other garden. Make sure to give them sufficient water and nutrients until they are established and then sit back and watch them grow.

It is also possible to have a rock garden in the shade. You would need to look at different plants and here is where you can also make use of moss. Most covered rocks can be gorgeous and when they're surrounded by woodland plants it can be beautiful. Since woodlands are often moist you have a whole different range of plants to choose from.

Here are some plant suggestions for different conditions. Use your imagination and enjoy a different kind of garden.

 Shade:

• Pulmonaria

• Bleeding Heart

• Japanese Painted Fern

• Heuchera

• Ajuga

• Liriope

• Big Root Geranium

• Lamium

Sun:

• Delosperma

• Alyssum

• Creeping Sedum

• Hens and Chicks

• Creeping Thyme

• Ajuga

• Lavender

• Nepeta