How to Design with Stone in the Landscape

Stone is a durable material to use in the landscape. Whether you use raw stone as décor, set a stone floor for a patio, driveway, or pathway or fill open areas with gravel for dust reduction, you can design with stone in the landscape for so many benefits.

Instructions

1. 

   Use gravel as a top layer for firm foundations for supporting weight. If you want to create a patio or other active area with gravel, make sure you build a firm under layer so legs on chairs or tables don't sink in. Or set flagstone or other flattened stone for a flooring. Flat stone or pavers are a good way to provide a more stable flooring for furniture or active footing.

2. 

   Gravel makes ornamental mulch that works well in a sparsely designed garden like a cactus and succulent garden. Gravel can also be an economical way to keep dry spaces from blowing up dust.

3. 

   Design in pathways and edgings with stone. You can also mix different size stone to create a dry riverbed. A dry riverbed can, itself, create a garden edging, a decorative feature or function usefully as a form of drainage.

4. 

   Large rocks and boulders make strong statements that anchor divisions in the landscape or define corners or different areas.

5. 

   Using flat stone or even cast stone or blocks can afford a perfect surface for permeable paving. This kind of covering is not only attractive and practical, but is ecologically preferable to allow water to penetrate into the soil rather than washing away and causing erosion.

6. There are many ways to design with stone in the landscape that will make your landscape more beautiful, durable, and minimize maintenance.

Resources

• Landscape design and gardening information