How to Landscape With Coquina Rock

Anastasia Formation Coquina

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Coquina rock is a blessing for the landscaper who lives in bedrock-challenged eastern Florida. This member of the limestone family consists mainly of whole and fragmented shells in a matrix of sand, cemented by calcite. It can be hand gathered from beaches on Florida’s east coast and quarried from the subsurface as far as 20 miles inland.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Decide if this will be a DIY or contracted project. As with any type of rock, the uses will be determined by the skills and equipment available. You can probably build a small waterfall, raised flower bed, edging or a low wall by yourself or with friends. Building large waterfalls, setting boulder specimens and building higher walls, pergola columns or gazebo foundations are possible with skills and big equipment.

Step2

Look in landscaping books and online for pictures of rock use in landscaping. You won’t find many pictures of coquina, but it can be used in similar ways to other rock.

Step3

Lay out your landscape plan. Consider using the beachy look of coquina to complement native Florida landscaping or xeriscaping plans.

Step4

Collect your smaller rocks from the beach. Take a bucket to carry them.

Step5

Prepare the area for your coquina rocks. Remove grass and lay down weed barriers as needed. Dig shallow hollows in which to set large specimen pieces to help secure them.

Step6

Wash rocks gathered from the beach thoroughly before placement. You don’t want ocean salt to leach into your garden and kill your plants.

Step7

Go to the quarry and hand-pick large coquina rocks. Each one is unique. Choose interesting shapes that appeal to your imagination or pick one to carve.

Step8

Arrange for exact placement of big stones by a landscaper, contractor or stone mason. Coquina rocks add their own personality to a garden area and will be a great reminder of fun days at the seashore.

Tips & Warnings

Coquina rock is found on east coast beaches in north and central Florida, approximately between Jacksonville and Sebastian.
There are a few, but not many, coquina quarries. Try Lakeview Dirt Co. in St. Augustine and Coquina Rock in Ormond Beach (see Resources below).
Coquina is soft and can be carved with hammer and chisel, as long as you don’t aim for precision. Because of all the fossils, it tends to break where it wants to.
Some coquina quarries/suppliers offer only baserock, which is an aggregate blend used mainly in paving. It’s not what you want for your garden, so ask.
Sharp shell fragments can cut you, so be careful gathering and handling coquina.