Several different products or materials are often used in decorative ways within many landscape designs, and rocks are one of the top such candidates. How can you use decorative rocks as part of your landscape? There are several different good answers.
At BioGrass Sod Farms, we’re here to provide a wide range of landscaping products to clients around Salt Lake City, including things like black lava rock, gravel rock and a variety of hardgoods products. Here are some of the different ways you might consider utilizing decorative rocks around your landscape, plus what to think about in each area.
To Define Borders
One of the most common ways people use decorative rocks in landscape design is to define borders between different areas. For instance, if you have a flower bed or vegetable garden that’s slightly raised up from the rest of the yard, you might consider using small, smooth rocks to create an edge around it. This can help keep soil and mulch contained within the area while also adding visual appeal.
Alternatively, for larger borders between sections of your yard or garden (such as a border between grass and a gravel pathway), you might opt for something like boulders or larger rocks that will stand out and make more of a statement.
As A Ground Cover
Another common way to use decorative rocks in landscaping is as ground cover. You can use rocks of various sizes and textures to create a unique look that’s different from your standard grass or mulch, for example. This can be especially useful in areas where regular grass or other plants may not thrive due to lack of sunlight or poor soil quality.
For instance, if you have a shaded area of your yard that’s difficult to grow anything in, you might opt for some large rocks coupled with smaller pebbles and gravel to create a visually interesting ground cover solution.
As a Walkway or Pathway
For many people, the thought of using rocks as part of a walkway or pathway conjures up images of unsteady footing and uncomfortable walking surfaces. However, when done correctly and with the right materials, you can create a beautiful and functional walkway with decorative rocks.
For instance, you might use larger flat rocks as stepping stones to create a natural-looking path through your garden or yard. Alternatively, you could fill in smaller gaps between these stones with gravel rock to provide a more stable surface for walking.
As A Focal Point
Decorative rocks can also be used as focal points within your landscape design. For example, you might use a larger boulder as the centerpiece of a flower bed or garden, or even place several small rocks strategically throughout the space to draw the eye. When using rocks as focal points, it’s important to consider how they will blend in with the rest of your design and choose accordingly.
To Add Texture
In addition to their visual appeal, decorative rocks can also add texture to your landscape design. For instance, a combination of smooth river rocks and rougher lava rock can create an interesting contrast that adds depth to your overall design.
You can also experiment with different sizes and shapes of rocks to create a varied and dynamic look throughout your landscape.
To Create Water Features
Another unique way to use decorative rocks is in creating water features such as fountains or ponds. Rocks can be strategically placed around the edges of these features or even used as part of the structure itself. This not only adds an aesthetic element, but it also helps with proper drainage for these types of features.
In fact, using decorative rocks in water features is a popular trend in modern landscape design, as it adds a natural and calming element to the space.
Enclosures
There are also a few practical uses for decorative rocks in landscaping, such as creating enclosures for outdoor spaces like patios or fire pits. By using larger rocks, you can create a natural enclosure that not only adds visual interest but also provides some privacy.
For a fire pit, for instance, you can use large rocks to create a perimeter and then fill in the space with smaller rocks or gravel for a rustic and functional addition to your landscape.
As you can see, there are many different ways to incorporate decorative rocks into your landscape design. From defining borders and adding texture to creating functional elements like walkways and enclosures, the possibilities are endless.
At BioGrass Sod Farms, we have a wide selection of decorative rocks and other landscaping products to help bring your vision to life. Contact us today to learn more about any of our products or services, whether you’re in SLC or a nearby area.