Very nice . I like your vertical placement of the rock. It is something that I have wanted to do for awhile but things keep getting in the way. You have stumbled on the style of rock gardening called Crevice gardens. It was originally developed in Checkloslavakia. They were using rocks as they organized themselves in the karst countryside. Google "Crevice Gardens" and you will see a lot of similar examples like what you have done. If you didn't stumble on this term before, you might really like this. I was blown away. The only draw back is it take a WHOLE BUNCH OF ROCK.

Man I want rock, lots of rock.

Here is a link that might be useful: Google images of Crevice Gardens

Oh yes, crevice gardens, thanks for the label wantonamara. I've got quite a bit of slate left over from the patio, perhaps I'll use some of the larger pieces for the 2nd succulent area.

A pretty and welcoming space you've got there, annkathryn!

Lee

Very nice! It reminds me of the view of a city from overhead, and you've just added some nice green spaces. Gotta have parks!... or maybe it's the remains of an ancient labyrinth.

I hate to break this to you but you might be more artistic than you realize.

It's been 3 months and most of my succulents are filling out nicely.

Did I mention I put in the slate to keep the cats away from the succulents too? It's working for the dog, but the cats think they own the entire yard. The one on the left seems to be lying directly on top of one of the Haworthia....ouch.

It DOES look like it's filling in nicely! Thanks for the update!

Cute kitties...and, yes, one is on top of a Haw. Hope it survives...the Haw, I mean. I have yet to find anything to deter my dogs from demolishing my plants. I think only 4 ft high & fenced garden beds would work!

So nice! The slate looks great and very artistic. I'm jealous!

Beautiful, and cute cats too :)

That really came out well.

That really came out well.

Thanks for the nice comments. Here's a slightly larger photo that shows the plants a bit better. I thought I was going to lose the aloe because the tips got very brown, perhaps too much sun initially. It bounced back and is looking healthy now.

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Ann,

I've looked at this several times now - it's growing on me. My rock placement has been more random, but I see immediately the advantages of that, especially when you take into consideration The Kitties Factor (I have a few of the rascals myself).

You'll find the bounce-back factor quite common with succulents, especially where you live. In fact, you'll soon have to prune back or remove (I'm thinking specifically of the Aloe, which will grow too prosperous for that space, IMO), but such is the joy of the gardener in training. If you want that specific type of dolmens-with-plants garden full but manageable, while still allowing room for the cats to loll, I'd generally stay away from Aloes - they're such growing beasts in SouCal and other warm zones. There are many other plants, such as the Crassulaceae Family plants you have growing there, which are easily trimmable (and which cuttings you can grow more plants from), aside from plants that stay always small - I'd bet some Gasterias and Haworthias (both Aloe relatives, but both generally small would grow like gangbusters there - those two species of plants, when grown in, will also provide hard points for the cats to rub their furry faces against).

I think there are definite possibilities especially working with large thin rocks on edge. Crevice gardening does take a lot of rock.

cactusmcharris thanks for the warning about the aloe, I'll make sure it doesn't take over. I love the haworthias - there are two in this bed and I have 5 more in the front yard. If they grow like gangbusters I'll be very happy.

All of the Crassulaceae/Echeveria I have came from neighbors who were nice to give me cuttings. DH and I bought several of the Pagoda Village plants - we were smitten by how they looked. Fortunately the cats haven't been tempted to lounge on them.

I have succulents on the other side of the path but haven't had time to set rocks around there. They're suffering a bit from the dog's running through them.