When arranging a landscape, your first priority might be plants, but stones should also be part of your strategy. Landscaping stones supply focal points and add vertical features to an otherwise flat area. Rocks may also be usable by creating obstacles, serving as mulch and aiding with drainage. You may pick from one kind of stone or add several kinds depending upon your landscape requirements.
Large Stones
Ranging from the size of a small vehicle to the size of a soccer ball, large stones may be decorative or functional. Placed at the edge of your premises, boulders function as a barrier to automobiles driving into your own garden. Placed alone or surrounded by plants, large stones act as a dramatic focal point. Smaller boulders can be placed in groups of three to add height and interest to places. Large stones also needs to be added to ponds and waterfalls to make a more natural look to your water features.
River Rock
River stones are rounded stones ranging in size from one-quarter inch to 6 inches. The small and medium-sized river stone may be utilised in French drains or as mulch for heat loving plants or to get plants in the shade. Avoid mulching your plants using river stone if they’re not heat-tolerant since the stones retain warmth from the sun and may overheat plants which need their roots kept cool. Medium to large river stones placed along a wide serpentine path create the look of a dry river bed. Medium to large river stone may also be used decoratively across the backyard and looks particularly attractive when put at the base of large stones.
Gravel
Gravel may refer to crushed gravel or pea gravel. Crushed gravel is best used as a top layer for unpaved driveways or added as an under layer at a French drain. Due its rough edges, this stone shouldn’t be utilised in locations where people may wish to walk. Pea gravel consists of tiny, smooth pebbles and has a strong visual appeal. This gravel is frequently placed around large boulders in Japanese gardens to simulate a pond. Pea gravel is also an excellent choice for medium-traffic pathways but must be used with edging to keep the gravel in place. In case you have container plants, pea gravel produces an attractive mulch. Due to the small size, it doesn’t retain heat well and won’t overheat your plants.
Lava Rock
Many gardeners are attracted to the bright red color of lava rock. This stone is frequently used to fill in driveways and easements. It also complements the plants such as yucca or cactus in an arid garden. Due to the coarse texture, avoid using lava stone where people will be walking.
Flagstones
Flagstones are wide, flat rocks which produce perfect stepping stones. The stones may be utilised in pathways, or you can build an whole terrace with them. Flagstone paths or patios must be laid over a bed of sand to provide a secure surface with good drainage. Planting low-growing ground cover such as creeping thyme from the spaces between the stones complements the flagstone and adds a natural look to the landscape.
