How to Use Rocks in Your Landscape

Natural stone is one of the most versatile elements available for a landscape makeover. Landscaping with rocks adds texture and contrast, providing durable ground cover that requires little or no maintenance.

Choosing the Right Rocks for Your LandscapeThe rocks you choose will help set the tone for the rest of your garden. Tawny beach pebbles or river rocks add warmth, while white marble chips help brighten up shady areas. Flat terracotta stones complement a tropical landscape, but can seem out of place in a more formal garden. For a minimalist modern landscape or Polynesian-themed garden, try black lava rocks. Check out photos of rocks capes online to see what appeals to you. Because stones last indefinitely, it’s important to choose a look you’ll be happy with for many years. 

Sidewalk Landscaping With Rocks

If there are no major HOA restrictions on landscaping your street strip, why not be creative? This sample from garden designer Rebecca Sweet features a colorful, eye pleasing mixture of river rocks, mulch and ornamental grasses and plants for maximum curb appeal.

Use Landscaping Rocks to Create a Fairy Ring

Stack landscaping rocks a few rows high to create a barrier between the plants and the play area in this DIY children’s fairy ring you can create in your backyard.

Asian Garden Design

This Asian garden uses stepping stones and rocks to create an organic landscaping design that blends beautifully with nature.

Create a Beautiful Vignette

A mixture of rocks, stone slabs, potted plants, ornamental grasses and ground covers transform the border areas of this pool into a wonderful study in textures and contrasts.

Plant a Rock GardenFor a more exotic look, add a rock garden to your landscape. Choose an area that gets plenty of sun and install two or three small boulders. Surround the boulders with closely spaced low-lying flowers, such as portulaca (left), ground orchids or decorative cactus. Carefully fill in the gaps with smaller stones that complement the color of your boulders. 

Create a CenterpieceA large, unusually-shaped boulder can serve as an eye-catching focal point. Use as a tidy, low-maintenance centerpiece in a small garden, where an ornamental shrub might become too large or unruly. In larger gardens, a rock centerpiece can add visual interest to monotonous border areas, such as hedges. 

Cornerstones in Herb GardeningThis beautiful front yard edible garden by Home & Garden Design, Inc features a quartet of raised beds with natural stones and a variety of cool season favorites such thyme, kales, lettuces, fennel and parsley. 

Round Fire Pit in Middle of Outdoor Kitchen

These homeowners have it made in the shade, with a built-in outdoor kitchen and stone fire pit that makes their yard ready for entertaining.

Front Entrance to Beautifully Landscaped Home

The front yard of this contemporary lakeside home features a beautiful, symmetrical design with concrete retaining walls, a gravel walkway and green shrubs filling the landscape with natural color.

Stone Fence Close-upA stone fence can add a charming sense of character to a yard and garden. This fence uses stones of different sizes and hues to fit in with the wooded landscape. Article from:hgtv.com