Some of the rock plants like the full, blazing sun, others semi-shade, and still others do best in full shade. Still another group requires full light, but a northern exposure only. As it is not convenient to have the rock garden [http://thefurniturehome.com/home-furniture/the-essentials-for-a-successful-rock-garden.html] in several sections, located in several parts of the grounds, where these various conditions might be provided, the location selected for the rock garden should, if possible, be such that everything from full shade to full sunlight may be obtained. This may, to some extent, be provided for in the construction of the rock garden itself; but where existing trees, a northern slope, shade of a building, or similar existing conditions can be taken advantage of, they should be considered in selecting the site for the rock garden. Other aspects of the location of the garden, such as its appearance in connection with the rest of the landscape planting, the desirability of having it in a secluded and protected spot, have already been discussed. The deeper and more constant the blanket of snow which may be kept over the rock garden through the winter months, the better. Not infrequently it is possible to construct it at the bottom of a ledge or bank, or upon a slope where the snows naturally drift deep and stay long. Where, by any chance, such a location is available, it should be taken advantage of, especially for the growing of the alpine varieties. There has been something of a tendency of late to emphasize the impression that the rock garden, once planted, may be left to take care of itself. This has been used as an argument for the making of this type of garden. There is danger of misleading the beginner in this direction. To begin with, a rock garden is, perhaps, the most difficult of any kind of a garden to weed—and some weeding is bound to be required. It is true that no manure need, or should, be used in the soil of a rock garden, and this source of weed troubles is eliminated. But no matter how careful one may be with the preparation of the soil, some weeds will appear; and from its very character, the rock garden makes an excellent harboring place for weed seeds from other sources. Some of the rock plants themselves seed freely, and must be kept in check to keep them from taking possession of the whole area; others will spread much more rapidly than some of their neighbors, and these must be curtailed by cutting back and by an occasional replanting to keep them from occupying much more than their allotted space. Plants may not do well where they are first set out, and may have to be shifted several times before finding the exact spot where they seem to be happiest. This may be fascinating work, but it is work, nevertheless, and requires time. It is true that a rock garden may be so planned and planted that it will require very little attention. But to anyone thinking of putting in a rock garden with the idea of eliminating the care which most gardens require, it is suggested to instead plant some hardy shrubs or some of the ranker-growing perennials. An uncared for and unkempt rock garden is not picturesque; it is about as disheveled and unattractive looking an object as can be imagined.