About Stone Flower Beds

Stone flower beds can be put almost anywhere, and can solve a multitude of problems. They also add to the value of your home, and they can be big and complex or small and simple. They can be what you want them to be, customized just for you and your needs.

Types

The types of stone flower beds are only limited by your imagination and creativity. For instance, think about that sloping lawn where flower seeds just get washed away. A stone flower bed would allow you to level out a portion of the lawn.

A low border of stone a few feet in front of your house would set off the flower bed and keep the soil from eroding away in a rain.

The same type of stone border along a walkway or driveway will not only keep the seeds in the flower border but keep the soil off the cement and make cleaning it easier.

In the yard, you can build a stone flower bed as high, deep and wide as you want. It does make it easier to take care of the flowers when they are a few feet off the ground. And you can make it wide enough so that you can sit on it and really enjoy the flowers.

Features

Stone flower beds can be made from brick, cement blocks, natural stone or artificial, manmade stone. The bricks will give the garden a more formal look and the stones a natural, country look. If your house is made from brick or fieldstone, try to match the material you use for your stone flower beds to it as closely as possible. It will blend in and extend the design of your home with the design of your garden. When someone looks at the stone flower bed, her eyes will naturally flow toward the house and the impression will be pleasing. If you want a really informal look, arrange some of the plants so they peek out between the spaces in the front of the stones.

Benefits

Curb appeal is one of the most important things you can work on to the enhance the value and marketability of your home. And stone flower beds are something that would get the attention of a prospective buyer. They make your house a cut above the rest in the neighborhood. Stone flower beds make your gardening easier. Stone flower beds can also solve the problems created by an uneven slope and help prevent the erosion of precious topsoil.

Considerations

Be sure you adhere to local laws. There may be restrictions as to height, especially in the front of your house or how close it can be to the sidewalk. Also., be mindful of the neighboring property. Make sure it is far enough away from the property line so that nothing--the planter or the plants themselves--goes over the line.

Expert Insight

One way to do stone flower beds is to pour concrete in a form. Then when it's set, cover the outside with artificial brick or stone. It makes a very sturdy planter, looks like solid stone and saves a lot of money. You can cover the garage and the foundation with the same artificial brick, tying everything together.

Resources

• Better Homes and Gardens
• Stone Flower Bed Ideas