Rock Garden and Dry Creekbed for a Yard Mound

Alternative Mound Treatment: Rock Garden Feature

For a 9-foot mound over a water pipe, a rock garden with a dry creekbed adds structure and drainage without deep planting.

Design Concept

• Upper slope: Mixed boulders and perennials (sedum, yarrow, penstemon, dwarf conifers).
• Crest: Larger specimen rocks for focal points.
• Lower slope: Dry creekbed with river rock, flanked by ornamental grasses.

Plant Suggestions for Rock Gardens

• Hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum)
• Creeping phlox, thyme, sedum
• Dwarf evergreens: bird's nest spruce, mugo pine
• Ornamental grasses: blue fescue, Japanese forest grass

Benefits

• No deep digging—protects pipe.
• Excellent drainage; mimics natural terrain.
• Low water/maintenance once established.
• Year-round interest with stone structure.

A bridge isn't needed—embrace the topography as a feature.