Rock Best for Landscaping
The landscape you present in your neighborhood every spring is composed of many moving pieces and parts. Well-maintained turf makes for a great lawn, while seasonal flowers add a splash of color to the mix. Hardscapes are an integral factor as well, providing common area space in the form of patios, while walkways connect the regions of your property. Often overlooked, one of the most important and low-maintenance pieces of landscaping material is rock. Used in a variety of ways, from mulch to boulder scaping, there are often questions about what rock is best for use in landscaping. The answer to this question is a little complicated, as it depends on the situation and use of the rock. If you have been looking for a guide on what rock to use in your landscape this year, you are in the right place.
Size Matters
The first relevant piece of information is the capacity in which you would like the rock to be used based on the size. There are smaller decorative rocks that are no larger than pebbles, and larger boulders used for more intensive landscape installations. Another segment of the size, pavers are flat rocks, used to form hardscapes. While pavers are functional, decorative rocks and boulders act as aesthetic eye candy. The key way in which we will separate out the various types of landscaping rocks there are to choose from is based on size. So, keep in mind the scale of your project, and choose a rock according to your needs.
Decorative Rock for Plant Beds
Likely the most prominent type of landscaping rock that you will see on a daily basis are different types of decorative rock, accenting plant beds. These come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, but all will be relatively small in size and incorporate earth tones. Allowing for creativity in design, these decorative rocks require almost no maintenance. Some of our favorites include “Kewannee Skippers”, which are flat and round, with a classic look incorporating colors from white to red. Another decorative rock we carry, “Black Lava”, carries a darker tone, with a much more elegant look. These stones are both smaller and lighter, allowing for easy handling. Whatever the color and format of decorative rock that suits your property, allow it to accent your landscape, adding a subtle charm to your property. We carry everything from the simplest of gravel, to high-end sourced stone, so whether you would like basic pebbles, or a unique look, check out the “Decorative Rock” section of our website.
Mid-Size Cobblestone and Boulders
If you are looking for the same effect of decorative rock, but on a larger scale, cobbles or boulders may be more appropriate. Although we carry many mid-size rocks, we wanted to demonstrate with just a couple of our unique options. While our “Canadian Cobbles” are typically 4 to 8 inches in size, our “Royal Gorge Boulders” size up anywhere from 12 to 18 inches in diameter. We even offer “Glacier Boulders” in sizes up to 3 feet. These mid-sized rocks are used in an identical capacity to smaller decorative rocks, accenting a plant bed. However, they can also be used in a more creative fashion, sparsely added to the top of smaller rocks, or stand alone in a rock garden. The point is, that they can be used in a wider range of designs, while simultaneously providing a luxurious look, with their unique makeup. We carry a wide variety of mid-sized rocks that can be found right here.
Functional Fun: Walls and Walkways
Moving away from the strictly decorative rock, there are also specially cut rocks that serve more functional purposes. Pavers and flagstones are great for laying down a walkway or a patio, while various flagstone and sandstone varieties can be stacked to form a natural rock wall. Once again, with many colors and styles to choose from, you can craft the hardscape of your choice. For a comprehensive look at what we have to offer, check out our natural wall and flagstone pages on our website.