Five Ways to Use Stones & River Rock in Your Landscape.

March 24, 2014 | By webadmin

Plants are of course are what make or break a beautiful landscape. But every great piece of artwork needs the right frame. The hardscape elements designed into a lanscape can be the frame that keeps the design anchored and functional.  We love to use stonework to create retaining walls, walkways, patios, water features and as the framework for outdoor kitchens and grills. The possibilities are endless! Through the season, we’ll talk about a variety of ways we use stones, but today lets discuss a few of the basics. Be sure to check out our Pinterest and Houzz pages often for lots of visual inspiration.

River Rocks are great for creating the natural curve of a “river” in the landscape. It can either serve as a dry river bed or as the ending flow to a waterfall.

Large, natural boulders are used to create the perfect series of ponds and waterfalls. We can even turn boulders into water features. How relaxing and zen!

Photo by Living Magazine for RLI

Large, flat stones are the perfect patio material. They are sturdy, flat, and will accomodate your patio furniture while keeping the look of your landscape very natural. Flagstone, as it's often referred to, comes in a variety of colors; from creamy neutrals, to vibrant rusts and deep grays. They are also perfect for creating natural looking pathways that meander through your landscape.

Mix together different stones styles. The contrasting textures will make an interesting and unique focal point.

Crushed granite and gravel are available in many different colors. Shades of gray always complement colorful plants nicely. These materials are perfect for pathways that get a lot of foot traffic, vegetable gardens and driveways.

We’ll discuss more about hardscaping through spring, but to get your inspiration flowing, we’ve created an Idea Book on Houzz and a Boards on our Pinterest page. Updating the hardscape can be a simple yet impactul way to refresh your lansdcape.