How to keep a neat scape?

[taz_boy]

hi all, i'm planning to switch to rockscape by the end of this month

i'm planning to have a rockscape that looks something like this :



just a rough sketch on my proposed idea..

just a question:

anybody know how to maintain a clean and neat scape.

this is because the plants i am choosing are likely those that propagates by runners. Hence, i do not wish my Hairgrass foreground to spread till the area marked "Lapis" (which is suppose to be left clean)

same goes for my background plants. i do not wish them to invade into my foreground/midground area.

i was thinking of putting some plastic plates between the lapis substrate to mark out the different zones.

any other better ideas?

[Shadow]

plastic sheet can be use for background, hair grass will help to hide it from view. However, I don't think it can be use to seperate the lapis sand. Unless you don't mind piece of plastic coming out from the sand. If the seperator too low, the runner will just grow over it.

For me, I usually just cut any runner that grow accros the zone weekly.

[Verminator]

Cutting the runners is the simplest and easiest way of doing so. As long as you don't let your standards slip and you have a routine weekly to remove and that do venture out you'll have no problems. Just don't let them root in and grow permanently, they'll be tougher to remove this way.

[oblivion]

think the others have given you good information already on maintaining the hg
just cut anything that ventures into the no-go zone!

and to add, for a nice rockscape, i think you need more rocks
not only mid-sized ones to complement the 2 big ones you have in your sketch
consider small loose pieces around the main pieces as well

[taz_boy]

haha..yupz lee1224. that was only for sketch. i have got a couple of rocks ready.