Adding landscape stones and other types of hardscaping is a great low maintenance way to spruce up your garden or yard. Strategically placed rocks or stone barriers can add more color and texture the compliment the rest of the garden. Examples of different uses of landscape stones include things like stone pathways or stone retaining walls. Depending on the project, many of the simpler hardscaping projects such as laying down a flagstone path or building a simple stone barrier around the perimeter of your yard can often easily be accomplished by many DIY minded individuals. For more complicated projects like creating a retaining wall a skilled contractor or highly experienced homeowner might be needed to accomplish the job correctly and safely.
Why add landscape stones to your garden? Well chances are your backyard or garden already has some form of hardscaping, for instance gravel beds or stone pathways are two common sights in many homes. Unlike plants that need to be watered, trimmed, otherwise managed, stone does not require maintenance or minimal maintenance in the case of structures such as retaining walls. And of course different stones and rocks can add different elements of color, texture, and a sense of naturalness.
Some general types of stones are very popular and can frequently be found in the yards and gardens of many homes. They are as follows:
River Rocks: These rocks bear smooth and rounded exterior from being ground up and eroded by water and friction with other rocks. As the name might suggest these rocks are usually found in and around rivers. Their rounded shape and smooth surfaces is easier on bare feet than other decorative rock types. River rocks can be used for a number of different backyard applications including use around garden beds due to their excellent drainage. When combined with plastic liner and copious amounts of mortar or concrete river rocks can be used to create a more authentic looking waterfall and/or stream in your backyard.
Lava Rocks: Lightweight and porous, lava rocks come from--you guessed it! Volcanos! Technically their name is somewhat deceptive as these types of rocks are actually not formed from lava which would actually form a rock with a glassy texture but rather are actually shot out of the volcano during an eruption. Their porous texture give lava rocks an interesting appearance and serves to provide great drainage when used along pathways or a driveway.
Gravel: These crushed rocks (usually granite or some other very common type of rock) are probably best known for their used in creating roads, trails, or as an alternative to grass and other types of vegetation in order provide some texture and color to a section of a backyard.
