![Modern Rock Garden Bed](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-1.jpg)
This rock garden has a little of everything. Larger rocks add weight to the area. Alpine plants peek out among the smaller rocks
A low rock wall added height, which created a transitional space between the grass and the brick and iron perimeter fence.
![Dry Riverbed Path](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-2.jpg)
This garden idea flips the script on a dry riverbed by using stepping stones at the bottom to create a path that flows along a row of large river rocks. Low growing alpine flowers add color.
![A Rock Garden Creates a Courtyard](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-3.jpg)
A desert rock garden can be used as a transitional space between areas.
The center was built up and secured using large rocks. As the rockery plants grow, their roots will also help secure the garden bed.
![Quarry Rocks Become Stairs](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-4.jpg)
Many landscaping ideas include stepping stones and large rocks. These steps are cut from quarried stone.
![Build a Pond](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-5.jpg)
A step up from a rock garden with a dry riverbed is a garden with a water feature.
Here, a shallow pond was built near the grass using river rocks and pea gravel.
![Use Contrasting Colors](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-6.jpg)
A stunning idea is to plant a single species of rock garden plant in a section of your rock garden.
Light colored pebbles contrast with the red plant in the other section of the garden bed. Try a drought tolerant plant such as red salvia or red Texas sage.
![Make A Traditional Zen Garden](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-7.jpg)
A Japanese rock garden is an elegant design alternative to a traditional garden.
If you’re considering this garden idea, keep in mind that a Zen garden typically includes sand swirling around large rocks and a water feature like a pond or waterfall.
![Rock Garden With Drought Tolerant Plants](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-8.jpg)
Ornamental grasses and alpine plants bring color and texture to this rock garden.
![Include a Grass Pathway in a Rock Garden](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-9.jpg)
If you know a rock garden design is the idea for your yard but hate giving up the lawn, why not include a small section of grass?
This garden grows a path that allows you to still enjoy the feel of soft grass under your feet.
![Build a Dry River Bed](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-10.jpg)
A dry river bed is one of the most appealing upgrades you can make to your landscape. A landscape designer can show you how to include a water feature like this gorgeous stone path that’s lined with rock garden plants.
This rock garden design includes a dry riverbed as a drainage solution.
![A Rock Garden Around a Tree](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-11.jpg)
Large rocks add visual weight to the base of this tree.
The inner circle can be filled with a flower bed or any type of low-growing plants.
![Mix and Match Your Plants](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-12.jpg)
At higher elevations, a rock garden can be combined with alpine plants.
The rocks keep the soil from being lost to erosion.
![Desert Landscapes Have Color and Character](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-13.jpg)
Even if you live in a climate as dry as Las Vegas, you can still come up with unique landscaping ideas for your rock garden.
Experiment with drought-tolerant plants that love sandy soil. The pea gravel used here lowers the amount of dust that kicks up on windy days.
![Grasses and Plants Add Interest to a Rock Garden](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-14.jpg)
Rockery plants and ornamental grasses turned a pile of large rocks into a colorful rock garden.
![Try a Pea Gravel Path](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-15.jpg)
A landscape designer can help you decide if the lower areas of your property would benefit from installing a French drain.
This area is a striking path using pea gravel contrasted by an edging made of large black rocks.
via Bliss Garden Design
![Rockery Plants in a Rock Garden](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-16.jpg)
If your landscape is filled with large rocks, fill in the spaces with rockery plants. These plants don’t require a lot of moisture and add lots of color to the space.
via NC Designs
![Beautiful Succulent Garden](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-17.jpg)
If you live in a warm, dry climate but are not sure you can live without plants, consider a succulent garden. Succulents and cacti thrive in sandy soil and warm temperatures.
via Whitmores
![Redirect Your Rain Water](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-18.jpg)
A rock garden is used to control the flow of rainwater. The rocks and plants work together to hold soil and control erosion.
Stepping stones act as a transitional space across the walkway.
via Gardens By Gabriel
![Water Feature Makes Small Rock Garden Shine](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-19.jpg)
the look of your landscape. Stepping stones are set around a water feature in a bed of river rocks.
Water fountains are surprisingly easy to add to your landscape.
via Extreme Interiors
![Use Large Rocks for Edging](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-20.jpg)
Landscaping ideas that include seating areas are always popular. This one has garden beds acting like little vignettes with edging made of quarried stone.
The outside areas can be covered with pavers or gravel.
via Aden Landscaping
![Protect Your Garden Within a Garden](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-21.jpg)
One idea for protecting a traditional garden is to keep it in an enclosed area with a high fence.
Flower and vegetable beds are separated from the rest of the landscape and grown in separate beds. Pebbles are used to separate the beds.
via HomeGardenDesign
![Create a Dry River Bed With River Rocks](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-22.jpg)
Using river rocks in your rock garden will never go out of style. The smooth stones pouring out of a container into a dry river bed has become an evergreen idea.
via Folia Horticulture
![Rock Garden Looks Like Large Riverbed](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-23.jpg)
This spectacular rock garden has plenty of ideas you can use in your landscape.
The rock wall adds another layer or height. They use stepping stones to draw the eye to the water feature.
via JPM Landscape
![Use One Color in Your Rock Garden](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-24.jpg)
Large rocks add height and texture to this rock garden. It gets its color with the addition of rockery plants.
![Rock Gardens Extend Traditional Garden Beds](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-25.jpg)
Rock garden design adds another dimension to landscaping ideas.
Using a single species of flower gives this rock garden a unique look.
![Add a Small Corner Rock Garden](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-26.jpg)
Corner rock gardens are an easy way to control rain runoff and hide the drain pipe. They’re a beginner-friendly project.
Using larger rocks along the edge works to protect the drain pipe. Smaller white rocks add contrast.
![Rock Gardens Hide Brown Patches](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-27.jpg)
Rock garden ideas sometimes evolve out of necessity. If you have a section of grass in your landscape that is always brown, try creating a rock garden.
Gather large rocks around the edge and build inside using smaller rocks, stones, and plants that like sandy soil.
![Mix Color, Textures, and Patterns](https://www.decorhomeideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rock-garden-ideas-28.jpg)
Rock gardening doesn’t have to be big or complex to look amazing. This rock garden has basic drought tolerant plants. It’s the placement of them in three separate sections of small rocks that creates interest.