A gravel garden can be particularly useful for growing species such as Mediterranean drought-tolerant plants, alpines, small shrubs and dwarf prostrate conifers. It suits plants that like a cool root run (e.g. houseleeks - Sempervivums), those that enjoy the heat generated by sun on stone (e.g. artemisias) and those that need very free-draining conditions (e.g. alpines). The gravel also provides a degree of winter protection, and so can be valuable for growing any doubtfully hardy plants.

1. Clear the Ground

The ground should be thoroughly cleared of any surface debris such as weeds and stones. If the area is overrun with perennial weeds, you may need to spray the area with a translocated weedkiller several months before you intend to plant. This will clear the site of vegetation and kill the deep roots of perennial weeds.

2. Plant any Large Specimen Plants

It is worth laying down a sheet mulch such as woven polypropylene or black plastic to separate the gravel from the soil and to help suppress any weeds. Although polypropylene is more expensive than black plastic, it has the added advantage that it will allow water to drain through it. The majority of your plants may be planted by cutting a small hole in the sheet mulch, although large specimen plants (i.e any that you would normally plant with a spade rather than a trowel) are best planted BEFORE the sheet goes down.

Although a gravel garden does not require a special compost mix, you may want to add some coarse grit to heavy, clay soils to improve drainage. Firm down the area with the back of a soil rake and plant any large specimen plants, watering them in well.

3. Lay the Sheet Mulch

Lay down a sheet mulch, such as permeable polypropylene, fibrous matting or heavy duty polythene with holes punctured throughout. Take care to ensure that it is as flat as possible, and then secure the edges by pushing them into a V-shaped trench and covering them with soil. Any joins in the sheet should have a seam of at least 2 cm overlap and be secured in position with ground staples every 1 m. You will need to cut the sheet to fit around the large plants already in place.

4. Plant the Filler Plants

To plant the smaller filler plants (those you would normally plant with a garden trowel), cut a cross in the sheet mulch and peel back the corners. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the plant with its roots in full contact with the soil. Firm the plant in and then replace the sheet, cutting off just enough to make the sheet lie flat around the plant.

5. Add the Gravel

Cover the sheet mulch with 2.5-5 cm deep layer of gravel, raking it so it is evenly spread. Water the gravel well to rinse off any dust.

6. Maintenance

Although a gravel garden is often seen as a low-maintenance option, you will need to pay it a little attention. It will need watering in dry weather, and a top-up of gravel after weeding in late winter or early spring. Keep the planting area tidy to prevent too much self-seeding. You can help to maintain its neat visual impact by carefully raking the gravel every so often.