What is the Best Decorative Rock for Landscaping?

What is the Best Decorative Rock for Landscaping?
Durability, longevity, affordability, versatility, and beauty are just some of the reasons why decorative rock is such a popular landscaping material. Whether it’s to adorn your flowerbeds, accent your walkways, or serve as the foundation for your driveway, if you’re planning on using decorative rock for landscaping, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of options to choose from.

What is the Best Decorative Rock for Landscaping?

While it certainly is great to have a lot of choices, the problem with having so many options is that narrowing it down to just one type of decorative rock can be challenging. There are several factors that you’ll need to take into consideration, such as how you intend on using the rock, the functionality of the material, and the look you want to create. So, what’s the best decorative landscaping rock?
The truth is, the answer to that question really depends on your personal preference and your individual needs. With that said, though, there are several popular types of landscaping rocks to choose from, and below, we’ve highlighted some of the best.

Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is an extremely popular type of decorative rock used for landscaping purposes. As the name suggests, it’s comprised of pebbles or gravel that’s roughly the size of peas, so each individual rock is small.
In nature, pea gravel is commonly found on river banks and along the bottoms of streams. Due to constant exposure to water, the surface of the pebbles is smooth. Pea gravel can also be manufactured, meaning it is a man-made or naturally sourced rock that’s treated with water to create that smoothed appearance.

Colors & Other Qualities

Whether it’s organic or manufactured, pea gravel comes in an assortment of earthy tones, including browns, tans, whites, grays, and even shades of pink. It offers a lot of great qualities, such as durability and versatility, and it’s aesthetically pleasing.

Uses

Because of its smooth surface, pea gravel is commonly used for driveways, walkways, patios, and even playgrounds. It’s relatively inexpensive, too.

Decomposed Granite

This decorative landscaping rock is comprised of solid granite that has been broken down into smaller pieces due to weathering or erosion. Most of the decomposed granite (commonly referred to simply as “DG”) ranges in particles as large as 3/8 of an inch to fine dust-like particles.

Colors & Other Qualities

Decomposed granite is mined from quarries, mostly in North America, and it’s available in a wide assortment of colors, such as grays, tans, golds, greens, and even reds. DG is very stable, which means it won’t lose its form, like sand, and therefore, it isn’t as prone to being washed away.

Uses

Decomposed granite is commonly used for patios, walkways, driveways, and gardens.

Crushed Granite

If you like the idea of using granite for your landscaping design but want something that’s bigger than DG, consider crushed granite instead. Crushed granite is made up of small pieces of granite, but the pieces aren’t as small as DG.

Colors & Other Qualities

Similar to DG, crushed granite is also sourced from quarries throughout the US, and it comes in a wide assortment of colors, ranging from tans and grays to greens and reds.

Uses

Crushed granite is loose and flexible, and its natural beauty combined with its durability and versatility make it a great choice for walkways, driveways, patios, and flowerbeds.

River Rock

River rock is similar to pea gravel. It’s made up of small pieces of rock that have been sourced from rivers and streams, and the constant exposure to water smooths out the surface of the rocks.

Colors & Other Qualities

River rocks are available in natural hues, such as tans, browns, grays, whites, and gold.

Uses

River rocks are great for water features, such as decorative ponds. However, river rock is suitable for walkways, driveways, patios, and gardens as well.

Decorative Landscape Rock

There are many great decorative rocks that can be used for landscaping purposes. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your personal needs and taste.

SOLMAUNA Creations & Landscaping Designs in Colorado

Our team of landscape designers brings a unique combination of landscape architecture education paired with extensive knowledge of plants to the table. Contact us Today.

What is the Best Decorative Rock for Landscaping?

What is the Best Decorative Rock for Landscaping?
Durability, longevity, affordability, versatility, and beauty are just some of the reasons why decorative rock is such a popular landscaping material. Whether it’s to adorn your flowerbeds, accent your walkways, or serve as the foundation for your driveway, if you’re planning on using decorative rock for landscaping, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of options to choose from.

What is the Best Decorative Rock for Landscaping?

While it certainly is great to have a lot of choices, the problem with having so many options is that narrowing it down to just one type of decorative rock can be challenging. There are several factors that you’ll need to take into consideration, such as how you intend on using the rock, the functionality of the material, and the look you want to create. So, what’s the best decorative landscaping rock?
The truth is, the answer to that question really depends on your personal preference and your individual needs. With that said, though, there are several popular types of landscaping rocks to choose from, and below, we’ve highlighted some of the best.

Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is an extremely popular type of decorative rock used for landscaping purposes. As the name suggests, it’s comprised of pebbles or gravel that’s roughly the size of peas, so each individual rock is small.
In nature, pea gravel is commonly found on river banks and along the bottoms of streams. Due to constant exposure to water, the surface of the pebbles is smooth. Pea gravel can also be manufactured, meaning it is a man-made or naturally sourced rock that’s treated with water to create that smoothed appearance.

Colors & Other Qualities

Whether it’s organic or manufactured, pea gravel comes in an assortment of earthy tones, including browns, tans, whites, grays, and even shades of pink. It offers a lot of great qualities, such as durability and versatility, and it’s aesthetically pleasing.

Uses

Because of its smooth surface, pea gravel is commonly used for driveways, walkways, patios, and even playgrounds. It’s relatively inexpensive, too.

Decomposed Granite

This decorative landscaping rock is comprised of solid granite that has been broken down into smaller pieces due to weathering or erosion. Most of the decomposed granite (commonly referred to simply as “DG”) ranges in particles as large as 3/8 of an inch to fine dust-like particles.

Colors & Other Qualities

Decomposed granite is mined from quarries, mostly in North America, and it’s available in a wide assortment of colors, such as grays, tans, golds, greens, and even reds. DG is very stable, which means it won’t lose its form, like sand, and therefore, it isn’t as prone to being washed away.

Uses

Decomposed granite is commonly used for patios, walkways, driveways, and gardens.

Crushed Granite

If you like the idea of using granite for your landscaping design but want something that’s bigger than DG, consider crushed granite instead. Crushed granite is made up of small pieces of granite, but the pieces aren’t as small as DG.

Colors & Other Qualities

Similar to DG, crushed granite is also sourced from quarries throughout the US, and it comes in a wide assortment of colors, ranging from tans and grays to greens and reds.

Uses

Crushed granite is loose and flexible, and its natural beauty combined with its durability and versatility make it a great choice for walkways, driveways, patios, and flowerbeds.

River Rock

River rock is similar to pea gravel. It’s made up of small pieces of rock that have been sourced from rivers and streams, and the constant exposure to water smooths out the surface of the rocks.

Colors & Other Qualities

River rocks are available in natural hues, such as tans, browns, grays, whites, and gold.

Uses

River rocks are great for water features, such as decorative ponds. However, river rock is suitable for walkways, driveways, patios, and gardens as well.

Decorative Landscape Rock

There are many great decorative rocks that can be used for landscaping purposes. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your personal needs and taste.

SOLMAUNA Creations & Landscaping Designs in Colorado

Our team of landscape designers brings a unique combination of landscape architecture education paired with extensive knowledge of plants to the table. Contact us Today.