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  Phil Voice November 18, 2010 at 9:28am

  Brett
  
  Why not just have a display area with the different brands of rockery and keep an extensive library of photos and videos online (or in a folder/album if it's just photos) so that any potential clients can preview the products but then build a relationship with your supplier so that you just get paid your margin for passing on any sales?
  
  I know that some clients might want to select individual feature stones and this complicates any process described above,
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  Paysage Durable November 18, 2010 at 10:31am

  Rockeries are certainly not 'trendy' any more, but I would state that they are one of the best sustainable attributes for a landscaper to use in design. From the screening of bunding contaminated / waste materials, through to wildlife homes they have a purpose in the 21st century garden. I feel the genre has been subject to a lot of feeble attempts at a 'Rockery' and the very name is associated with 1970's suburban gardens, which is a real shame as they were often an oasis in such gardens for wildlife.
  
  New rockeries built with a monoculture of grasses or other plants can be stunning and with little work hidden homes for a plethora of beasties can find welcome accommodation in them. The last one I helped construct was the top of an Otter Holt, unfortunately I have no photos and promised never to mention the location.
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  Brett Sheridan November 18, 2010 at 11:24am

  Hi everyone, thank you for your comments.
  
  There's some interesting views appearing here so it seems our gut instinct was wrong and rockery does still warrant it's place in today's gardens.
  I think we will take a look at the way we're marketing the products rather than the range itself. Maybe we've just been pushing the wrong message?
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  Jane Stewart November 19, 2010 at 10:40am

  I never design rockeries for my clients
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  Bigyin November 19, 2010 at 12:28pm

  From a business point of view, whether demand goes up or down, dead stock is bad news so I think something along the lines of Phil's advice would be the way to go. Whether you're supplying retail customers or professionals, I doubt if they're going to be upset if there's a lag in availability ? Just my opinion.
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  Dave Sewell November 19, 2010 at 3:01pm

  Must admit we haven't built one in years but maybe that's because they're out of favour with the designers...
  Jane, you don't say why you never design them into gardens. Personal preference or you never get asked to incorporate them?
  Dave
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  David Beasley Garden Design November 19, 2010 at 6:36pm

  Now't wrong with rockeries in theory. They can look amazing in the right place when planted up with succulents etc.
  
  In practice, they need to be constructed with at least enormous "2 man"/jcb moveable boulders to look half decent which are a) hard to get hold of in certain areas b) cost a fortune. Even when you have access to this stone it is a rare skill to get them to look anything like "natural".
  
  I love the idea of banded slate "dry-stone" walls though with succulents popping out of them, maybe you should stock something like that?
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  Jackson's Landscape Design November 19, 2010 at 7:15pm

  When asked what can you do with the rockery? My same reply to any prospect is, "Throw it in a skip"
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk November 19, 2010 at 7:18pm

  samples is a must . and get a quick order delivered and tell customer all about it . too much stock of one product is 'bad' news
  
  Bigyin said:

  From a business point of view, whether demand goes up or down, dead stock is bad news so I think something along the lines of Phil's advice would be the way to go. Whether you're supplying retail customers or professionals, I doubt if they're going to be upset if there's a lag in availability ? Just my opinion.
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk November 19, 2010 at 7:21pm

  ive taken one away to turf over a few yrs ago . made one from old stone laying about by a pool too.
  
  i love them myself planted up well.