While Wolfgang organizes semp shipments to far West, I decided to go far East with the topic of my next semp plate...
Being inspired by japanese dry or zen gardens where beds of fine gravel featuring single rocks are (daily) raked into geometric or organic patterns symbolizing waves in the sea around rocky islands, my plate will feature the same symbolic elements: fine gravel, rocks and a minimalistic selection of plants (Sempervivum in 3 varieties). Instead of raking my gravel daily in the right shape I decided to go for a more permanent way and plant my wave lines.
Meanwhile I selected my rocks (local shell limestone), sieved my 2-5 mm gravel to finer grade and decided for the plants I will use.
Sempervivum arachnoideum subsp. bryoides (from sapa) will be used for the rocky islands, a small noid S. hirtum (?) for solid ground, and a tiny grayish S. arachnoideum for the waves (I'm starting off with like 70 plants so it might take me a while till I have enough to finish the wave lines. But patience is part of zen philosophy...).
Starting off from my draft layout drawing I fixed the stones with mortar in my plate and then filled in a layer of gravel for drainage, soil mixture and then "marked" the parts that will be densely planted with fine gravel. With a finished hardscape I'm now "patiently" waiting for March to arrive...
