Different Types of Landscaping Rocks

Different Types of Landscaping Rocks
When you think about landscape, chances are your first thoughts are what plants you should add to your yard. However, one thing that you should also consider is adding some rocks to your landscaping features. Rocks provide different focal points to your landscaping as well as vertical features to an area that is otherwise flat. In addition, rocks can be functional barriers and help with drainage.

Guide To Different Types of Landscaping Rocks

. You can choose a single type of rock or add several different types of landscaping rocks based on your particular needs. Here are some of the different types of landscaping rocks that are available.

Large Stones

Large stones come in a variety of sizes. The smallest stones will be about the size of a soccer ball and the largest about the size of a small car. These large stones can be used as a decorative piece or they can be functional. If you place a large rock at the edge of your driveway it can block people from driving into your garden. Placed alone, a large stone can provide a focal point for your landscaping. You can choose to plant some flowers around the stone to make it even more dramatic. If you have a waterfall feature or a pond, adding a large stone will provide you with a more natural look.

River Rock

River rocks are stones that are rounded. These rocks are typically between a quarter-inch to six inches in size. Small and medium-sized river rocks can be used as mulch for plants that love heat or for French drains. These rocks also work around plants that are located in shady areas.
If your plants do not heat tolerant, you should not use river rock around them. These stones will retain the warmth from the sun and can overheat plants that are sensitive to heat. Placing large or medium-sized river rocks along a path can create a path that looks like a river bed. This type of rock looks very attractive when placed at the base of a large stone.

Gravel

Gravel may refer to either pea gravel or crushed gravel. Pea gravel is made of small smooth pebbles and offers a great visual appeal. This type of gravel is often used in a Japanese garden to create the look of a pond. This is also a good choice for traffic pathways but needs to be used with edging in order to keep the pea gravel in place.
It also is a great mulch for container plants as it will not retain heat well so it will not cause your plants to overheat. Crushed gravel is best for unpaved driveways or for a layer in a French drain. It should not be used in areas where people will walk because it has rough edges.

Lava Rock

The bright color of lava rock is attractive to many gardeners. It can be used to fill in driveways. Lava rock is a good choice if you have cactus or yucca plants in an arid garden. The coarse texture of lava rock can hurt your feet, so it is best not to use it in areas where people might be walking barefoot.

Flagstones

If you are going to make a path or want to build a patio, flagstones are a perfect choice. Flagstone is a rock that is wide and flat, which is why they are the perfect stepping stone. If you are laying a path or a patio with flagstone it is important to make sure that you place the stones over the sand to provide a more stable surface with proper drainage. Creeping thyme and another low growing ground cover can be placed in the spaces between the stones to help create a more natural look.
The type of rock that is available to you will depend on where you live. Decorative stone is taken from quarries, and the types of stone will vary greatly by your location. Shipping stone from other areas can be quite expensive and is often not worth the price tag.

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.

Different Types of Landscaping Rocks

Different Types of Landscaping Rocks
When you think about landscape, chances are your first thoughts are what plants you should add to your yard. However, one thing that you should also consider is adding some rocks to your landscaping features. Rocks provide different focal points to your landscaping as well as vertical features to an area that is otherwise flat. In addition, rocks can be functional barriers and help with drainage.

Guide To Different Types of Landscaping Rocks

. You can choose a single type of rock or add several different types of landscaping rocks based on your particular needs. Here are some of the different types of landscaping rocks that are available.

Large Stones

Large stones come in a variety of sizes. The smallest stones will be about the size of a soccer ball and the largest about the size of a small car. These large stones can be used as a decorative piece or they can be functional. If you place a large rock at the edge of your driveway it can block people from driving into your garden. Placed alone, a large stone can provide a focal point for your landscaping. You can choose to plant some flowers around the stone to make it even more dramatic. If you have a waterfall feature or a pond, adding a large stone will provide you with a more natural look.

River Rock

River rocks are stones that are rounded. These rocks are typically between a quarter-inch to six inches in size. Small and medium-sized river rocks can be used as mulch for plants that love heat or for French drains. These rocks also work around plants that are located in shady areas.
If your plants do not heat tolerant, you should not use river rock around them. These stones will retain the warmth from the sun and can overheat plants that are sensitive to heat. Placing large or medium-sized river rocks along a path can create a path that looks like a river bed. This type of rock looks very attractive when placed at the base of a large stone.

Gravel

Gravel may refer to either pea gravel or crushed gravel. Pea gravel is made of small smooth pebbles and offers a great visual appeal. This type of gravel is often used in a Japanese garden to create the look of a pond. This is also a good choice for traffic pathways but needs to be used with edging in order to keep the pea gravel in place.
It also is a great mulch for container plants as it will not retain heat well so it will not cause your plants to overheat. Crushed gravel is best for unpaved driveways or for a layer in a French drain. It should not be used in areas where people will walk because it has rough edges.

Lava Rock

The bright color of lava rock is attractive to many gardeners. It can be used to fill in driveways. Lava rock is a good choice if you have cactus or yucca plants in an arid garden. The coarse texture of lava rock can hurt your feet, so it is best not to use it in areas where people might be walking barefoot.

Flagstones

If you are going to make a path or want to build a patio, flagstones are a perfect choice. Flagstone is a rock that is wide and flat, which is why they are the perfect stepping stone. If you are laying a path or a patio with flagstone it is important to make sure that you place the stones over the sand to provide a more stable surface with proper drainage. Creeping thyme and another low growing ground cover can be placed in the spaces between the stones to help create a more natural look.
The type of rock that is available to you will depend on where you live. Decorative stone is taken from quarries, and the types of stone will vary greatly by your location. Shipping stone from other areas can be quite expensive and is often not worth the price tag.

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.