Peter Dowdall rues the demise of the ‘rockery’ which had its heyday in the ’70s and ’80s

ONCE an essential element of nearly every Irish garden, the rockery has been the victim of ridicule in recent years. 

Having one in a garden now is frowned upon by most designers as too passé or old fashioned.

This is not fair as a rockery can add a fantastic extra dimension to any garden.