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v12 economist suntribune august 9 1989 green n growing elaine gordon adds an artistic touch is the grass greener on the other side of the fence because you have an area thats too steep to maintain with a mower 1s there a slope on your front garden that needs a facelift but you dont quite know what to doin the way of cosmetic surgery r for those who are caught bet ween a rock and a hard placea rock garden might be an idea to toss around and youll be smit ten with the delicatelooking miniature flowers that thrive in the sun rock plants trailing creeping spreading clump- and moundforming mainlv bloom in spring but they are heavyweights for sure consider pockets of iow- growing perennials with pizzazz like maiden pink dwarf phlox edelweiss primrose coral bells creeping babys breath pale blue forgetmenot which means trlfe love bellflower creeping phlftx my favorite for embroidering the edge of a raised bed and pas queflower how about some herbs for culinary purposes tooj and dont forget about creeping evergreens to drape over rocks you can always extend the flowering times by choosing the little fellows selectively and let ting a relaxed mix of small ait- nuals accessorize the empty spaces during summer and fall- introduce annuals like sweet allyssum portulaca ageratifm and dwarf marigolds to blanket the hills and valleys theyll bloomtheir tiny hearts out til the frost carries them away you could plant a little bitot holland loo use those hard working little spring bulbs like dwarf iris- crocus tiny daffodils and grape hyacinth these eye- stoppers will wait patiently for warmth and sun and then burst into a celebration of flowers tb put a lilt in your hert choose a color scheme to unify the appearance and start with simple beginnings to achieve a skilful blending variety is the spice of life but its more effect live to plant a solid mass of one kind and color in chosen spots rather than a plant here and a plant there space fast growers well so the wont encroach on each other 4 they like to be in cahoots but need elbow room to multiply over the years large and small weathered rocks that are all the same kihd buried deeply enough with the tops exposed should create a natural effect the way mothe nature does it a few boulder with deep fissures are all the bet tcr because theyre fun to work with when nestling cascading and rosetteforming perennials t hens n chickens can peep ouf and wont feel cooped up i darecj to say it in vertical crcvices and those endearing violets for modesty and johnnyjumpups are first rate when tucked into nooks and crannies there are a few things you should bone up on should ydu decide upon a rock garden fdy ideas you could obtain source materials from the library con tact your local garden club and visit a botanical garden then escape in the summer sun to your backyard retreat and explore your exterior decorating on paper before you make things happen there are bouquets of possibilities if giving gives youj a warm feeling i in your toes weneedalot more warm toes tliegivingbeginswithyou i m f j imatim j