Three Ways to Use Stone in the Landscape

There are few landscaping tools so versatile as stone. It’s part ground cover, part decoration, and in some cases, like with well-chosen boulders, it can even take the place of art. When it comes to using stone, the options are almost entirely limitless. There are so many colors, shapes and sizes available that you’ll be able to find a variety to suit your needs exactly, whether it’s flagstone, gravel, or a big chunk to make a statement.

Want to learn more about how to use stone in your landscape? Here, you’ll find some ideas as well as benefits, how to shop for stone, and more. Read on to have your questions answered!

Three Ways to Use Stone in the Landscape

Looking to add a fresh element to your landscape? One that really underscores natural themes? Stone is a great option not only as a decorative part of the landscape, but also as a practical surface, too. You’ll be surprised at just how many things you can do with stone. Read below for some ideas!

1. Patio Surfacing

Stone is a great way to create a functional and beautiful patio—and it allows for many more design choices than concrete or other patio surfacing alternatives. Paving stones come in all different sizes, shapes and colors, which means you can pick between things like sandstone, granite, marble and more. Square or rectangular pavers are an option, or you could go for a more artistic or natural look by cobbling together stones in varying shapes.

2. Walls, Firepits and Other Fixtures

Another way to introduce stone into your landscape is to create things like walls, a stone barbecue, or a fire pit. Walls are a great way to border a lawn or to hem in garden beds while things like stone barbecues and fire pits are durable, versatile, and they’ll look great all year long, even when not in use.

3. Stone as a Focal Point

If you need something to make a statement or to pull a theme together, then stone may be your best bet. When used as a decorative element, you can place larger boulders in landscape beds to anchor them and to give plants something vertical to frame. You can also arrange stone in water gardens and other features to provide more visual interest, or use an unusual piece of rock to create a vignette somewhere within the landscape.

These are broad categories outlining some of the things that you can do with stone because the options are virtually limitless. It’s something you can use as both a building material and as decoration, and all the shapes, sizes, colors and textures available will let you create something truly custom.

Types of Rock to Use in Your Landscape

Stones are like snowflakes in that no two are ever the same—but if you’re looking for a certain aesthetic, then there may be a particular type of stone that is right for you. Read on to learn more about some of the types available!

Gravel

Gravel in and of itself comes in many different shapes, sizes and colors. There are things like crushed limestone, which offers a rougher texture and lighter shade, to pea gravel, which is an aggregate of small, pea-sized round stones. Whatever type you choose, gravel is great for filling pathways, driveways, garden beds and other similar surfaces.

Flagstone

These are pavers that you can use to create patios, driveways, sidewalks and more. As with gravel, flagstones come in many shapes, sizes and shades. Sandstone and limestone are among the two most popular options, but there are many more options available, too.

River Rock

Some might call river rock gravel, but at the larger end of the scale, river rock can be used for other things, too. With mortar, it can be cobbled together into walls, or larger chunks of river rock can be used as decoration in garden beds and water features.

Boulders

These are the statement pieces—and you’ll need to shop around to find the right boulder for your landscape. They can be limestone, sandstone or another shape, and because they’re meant to be large and to draw attention, you’ll want to search for boulders that have the shape and color you desire.