With so many different kinds of rocks available in all shapes and sizes, how do you know which ones are best for your landscaping project? This would depend on your specific landscaping goals. Do you need decorative stones to enhance a themed landscape or to achieve a natural look in your outdoor area? Maybe you just want to use rocks to control weeds as a means to limit maintenance? Here are some suggestions for the kind of landscaping rocks depending on what you are looking for. Keep reading to learn more!
What Are Landscaping Rocks?
In the broadest sense, landscaping rocks are used as features to enhance the visual appeal of outdoor spaces. The wide range of types, sizes, and colours available provides homeowners and landscaping professionals with a variety of options to help create unique and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces. They can also be used to great effect in garden beds, in high-traffic areas, as driveways, or for garden paths.
Because the exterior of your property is the first impression people get of your home, outdoor landscaping is as important as your interior design.
Things to Consider Before Buying Landscaping Rocks
Outdoor areas serve many purposes and can be very therapeutic. Therefore, it is important to choose the right kind of rocks for your landscaping project. Here are some of the things you need to consider before choosing rocks for your landscaping project:
- Your specific landscaping theme
- Layout and patterns
- How it will coordinate with the surrounding space and garden beds
- Size and shapes of rocks and stones to be used
- Colour and texture of the rocks to be used
8 Types of Rock that are Good for Landscaping
Below are a few examples you can consider when choosing rocks for your landscaping project.
Pea Gravel
Found in water bodies, these smooth, pea-sized pebbles range in size from 2 centimetres or smaller. They come in a variety of colours including tan, brown, and white. They are typically used to cover a driveway, in place of mulch, or to fill in crevices in a pathway.
Crushed Granite
These landscape rocks are larger in size compared to pea gravel and have a rough texture. Their earth tones are a good choice for garden pathways or as a transition between walkways and garden plants.
Decomposed Granite
Decomposed granite is landscaping rocks that form a great foundation for rock gardens. They are made of very tiny pieces of granite that have worn down over many years. Decomposed granite comes in a variety of colours and is more affordable than other granite rocks.
Lava Rocks
Lava rocks are landscaping rocks made from crystalized lava. They have a rough, porous texture that can retain water. This allows them to distribute water to plants which makes them great for use around garden beds.
River Rocks
Like pea gravel, river rocks are also found near water bodies but they are larger in size. Their sharp edges are smoothed by water running over them for many years. They are great for use in water features. River rocks are often used to build retaining walls and to create garden paths.
Flagstones
Flagstones have smooth surfaces and come in square or rectangular shapes. They are popularly used for creating pathways. They can be laid in sand, however, using a concrete foundation will result in a longer-lasting pathway.
Brick Chips
Brick chips are preferred for their attractive brick colour in certain landscaping projects. Before using them, some form of landscaping fabric will have to be laid down as a ground cover to prevent the chips from sinking into the ground. Brick chips are known to repel bugs and are great at retaining moisture.
Boulders
Large boulders come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and are great for creating an impressive visual impact in large outdoor spaces.
Final Thoughts
These are just some of the many different types of rocks available for landscaping purposes. Choosing the right type of rocks for specific outdoor spaces can be a challenge. Whether it’s a pond, a pathway, or a flower bed, landscaping rocks can take an outdoor project to the next level.
Rokworx has a large supply of landscaping rocks available to help you create the best outdoor space for your home.
Please call us today for more information at (03) 9000 0588 or leave a message.
