How to Make a Rock Garden on a Sunny Slope

Remove any existing vegetation, making sure to remove all roots. Assess the quality of the soil for adequate drainage; if the soil doesn't drain well, amend it with compost to improve drainage.

Purchase or find large rocks for your garden. Avoid using too many different kinds--to emulate natural spaces, one or two types of local rock suffice. How many rocks you need depends on your yard's total area.

Select plants that grow naturally in rocky conditions. Look for alpine plants, ground covers, native plants and plants with low water needs that grow well in full sun. Include plants of different heights, textures and colors for interest. Some examples of plants for a sunny rock garden include sedum, rock cress, heaths, low-growing thyme, Veronica and carpet bugle.

Buy enough plants to cover the bare areas between rocks when they mature. Rock garden plants usually include mass plantings of three to five plants, but include a few single-specimen plants with distinct features as focal points.

Place the rocks on the slope and move them around until you find an arrangement you like. Place the largest rocks near the bottom of the slope. Arrange the rocks to appear balanced on the hill, but not strictly symmetrical.

Dig out enough soil with a shovel to bury approximately one-third of the base of each rock. Position the rocks to expose attractive features, like veins of color. Turn the widest part of each rock to face down the slope.

Pick locations for the plants. Place plants where they have enough room to mature, while covering the dirt between rocks.

Dig holes for the plants and place them in the ground. After planting, water each plant thoroughly.