How to DIY a Rock Garden to Transform Your Yard

Not only do rock gardens add beauty and dimension to any outdoor space, they require little maintenance and can accommodate awkward or difficult landscapes (such as steep hillsides). No matter the size or layout of your yard, we've rounded up rock garden ideas that are worth recreating — plus tips and tricks from landscape designer Jan Johnsen, co-principal of Johnsen Landscapes and author of The Spirit of Stone.

Start off by choosing the type of rocks, whether you prefer jagged stones, large boulders, river rocks — or ideally, a mixture of different shapes and sizes. "A few stones should be upright for added drama and some should lie flat, but most rocks in your garden should be halfway buried and placed horizontally for visual harmony," suggests Johnsen. Then, layer in gorgeous greens, like ground cover plants, resilient succulents, perennial flowers and evergreen shrubs to add color and texture. The best rock garden plants tend to be those that root easily in rocky or shallow soil, but also keep in mind how much sun the area receives.

Whether you're designing the backyard, front yard or a small space on the side of your house, we've got a rock garden idea that'll work for you. Try your hand at a Japanese zen rock garden (pond and all!), keep it low maintenance by embracing a lush look or go big by building a stone walkway. "Any place can be made into a rock garden, but the best place is a site where rocks abound naturally," says Johnsen. "Added bonus if the site has a slight hill or mound, since it helps show off the rocks and plants."