This year’s garden decoration trend: Use marble and stone to upgrade the path and corner of your garden

Landscaping with gravel is the go-to choice for modern, low-maintenance outdoor spaces. Cheap to buy, easy to spread and widely available, it’s a practical material that’s versatile too.

You can use small sections of gravel for a garden makeover that takes just a couple of hours but looks really professional, or it can form part of a much bigger landscaping project.

Gravel can be combined with drought-resistant plants such as ornamental grasses and succulents to create a Mediterranean-style garden. It’s also perfect for any landscaping ideas around a water feature to create contrast against a pond, rill or vertical cascade.

It’s an easy solution for areas under trees where grass struggles to grow too, instantly upgrading a threadbare area. You can even try landscaping with gravel to break up large areas of patio pavers or wooden decking too, as well as using it to fill the gaps between stone slabs on pathways to create a modern look by adding contrast between rough and smooth textures.

This combination of plus points makes it the most versatile landscaping material around, plus locally sourced gravel is a sustainable option as well, and is good for the planet.

14 WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR PLOT BY LANDSCAPING WITH GRAVEL

Perhaps you’re looking for front yard landscaping ideas to max up your curb appeal. Or maybe you need to refresh your outdoor space for summer with some garden gravel ideas.

Whether you’re aiming for a whole new look or some smaller tweaks here and there be sure to factor landscaping with gravel into your design plans.

1. COMBINE GRAVEL WITH DROUGHT-RESISTANT PLANTING

Excited Front Yard Landscaping Ideas with White Rocks - Decor Renewal | Jardins pequenos, Belos jardins, Paisagismo jardim

Break up areas of gravel with drought-resistant flowers and plants

Lots of different varieties of flowers grow really well in gravel gardens especially those that are tolerant of dry conditions and ones with gray, blueish or silver foliage. The gravel mulch not only improves surface drainage but also helps retain water deep in the soil to prevent evaporation from the surface.

Plant large areas with a mix of flowers and gravel and they won’t need any watering in summer which makes this approach suitable for Mediterranean-style gardens with minimal maintenance. Leave gravel pathways where the plants are less dense, so it’s possible to walk through the plants and enjoy them up close.

Some of our favorite varieties for landscaping with flowers in a garden design like this include alliums, euphorbia, lavender, santolina and salvias, although there are literally hundreds of plants to choose from that will work well.

2. INCLUDE GRAVEL IN YOUR PATIO DESIGN

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An area of gravel underneath a fire pit can be a practical choice for a patio

(Image credit: Arighi Bianchi)

Smooth hard surfaces tend to dominate in modern gardens but designers often use the trick of introducing contrasting materials in a contemporary color palette to maximize texture and interest.

Adding a distinctive detail such as a bed of white gravel set in smooth paving works well in a bold architectural scheme like this one as part of your patio landscaping ideas. Decorative white and cream pebbles are available in a range of sizes and also come polished for a high-gloss finish that can work well with a range of patio materials.

3. LANDSCAPE AROUND A WATER FEATURE WITH GRAVEL

Excited Front Yard Landscaping Ideas with White Rocks - Decor Renewal | Landscaping with rocks, Front yard landscaping, Mulch landscaping

Areas of gravel look particularly effective when surrounding a modern water feature

(Image credit: Yuliya Mykolaïvna Heikens/Alamy Stock Photo)

Crisp beds of gravel always look good in contemporary gardens. They make a nice textural contrast to break up smooth pavers and wooden decks in patio areas. Soften the effect with bold leaf planting arching over or growing through the gravel.

Opt for ‘pockets’ to create little islands of planting that let you still see plenty of gravel. Any plants with a Mediterranean feel are the natural choice. Spiky phormium can be planted directly into the gravel and look stunning in modern spaces.

Gravel is a versatile material that’s perfect for landscaping around water feature ideas to create contrast against a pond or vertical cascade. If you want to use gravel for a practical purpose like this it’s a good idea to choose a medium-sized grade. if it’s too small and fine then it will spread around easily as you walk over it. if it’s too large then it may make walking on the surface difficult.

4. GO JAPANESE WITH WAVES OF RAKED GRAVEL

15 Gorgeous Rock Garden Ideas for Your Landscape - Bob Vila

Gravel is a key element of Japanese garden design

(Image credit: Mabo/Alamy Stock Photo)

If you love the thought of Japanese garden ideas make sure you include landscaping with gravel in your plans. The aim is to use it in a calming, serene and ordered way. Japanese gardens are used as a place for contemplation, so it’s the perfect opportunity to slim things down and keep the style simple. It’s all about attention to detail.

Space is organised and connected, whether that’s with a carefully positioned vertical tree or the placement of a series of smooth stones. Hard landscaping materials include circular paths constructed of stepping stones, interspersed with pockets of raked gravel that looks like rippling waves.

5. SEGMENT GRAVEL INTO EYE-CATCHING DESIGNS

Decorative Rocks vs. Mulch: Landscaping Pros and Cons

Create striking patterns with different sections of colored gravel

(Image credit: Holmes Garden Photos/Alamy Stock Photo)

Gravel is a practical choice for small areas of landscaping that would be difficult to pave. Create impact with a combination of different types laid out in a formal, well-defined geometric pattern such as a striped or chequerboard design. Use different colors and sizes of gravel to create an eye-catching pattern.

If a design like this is used next to grass or a planted area it will need to be contained, otherwise the gravel will spread out and you will lose the definition. Timber, brick or concrete can be used to create a ‘framework’, as well as metal garden edging ideas.

Make sure the surface is as flat as possible before you start by removing any large stones. The joy of gravel is that it fills holes beautifully, giving a level surface in a relatively hassle-free way. Always use a membrane to prevent weeds breaking through and blurring the edges of your design.

6. MIX GRAVEL WITH LARGER ROCKS

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Play around with the shape and size of your hard landscaping materials

(Image credit: Fiona Lamb Design)

A ground cover garden that combines soft cushions of planting with gravel and rocks is a low maintenance landscaping option that suits most spaces. This style of garden can be left to evolve into a more natural look.

‘Gravel is an incredibly versatile material to use in the garden,’ says garden designer Fiona Lamb(opens in new tab). ‘Available in a wide range of colors and sizes it can look equally at home in a traditional or contemporary setting and is often a cost-effective alternative to other hard landscaping materials.

‘It can provide a useful means of drainage and can be used as a planting substrate itself. It can be useful to break up and soften larger areas of paving or paths. It can then be planted into with low growing plants to enhance the look.’

Try landscaping with river rocks and landscaping with boulders if you like the idea of introducing a more rugged looking terrain in your backyard.

7. PLANT ORNAMENTAL TREES STRAIGHT INTO GRAVEL BEDS

The Top 5 Overlooked Benefits of Decorative Rock Landscaping

White gravel complements the color of these silver birch trees

(Image credit: Samantha Brown/The Galium Garden)

If you like modern garden design that features clean crisp lines that work in an architectural way try using smart gravel beds for landscaping around trees.

‘In this design large white cobbles are mixed with smaller polar white pebbles on top of a weed membrane as a mulch below the multi-stemmed silver birch trees and at the base of a stainless steel water blade,’ explains garden designer Samantha Brown(opens in new tab).

The colors in this contemporary garden are muted using gray, black and white, so texture from both the landscaping materials and the plants is important. The chunky mix of white gravel works as a key unifying element and helps to set off the silver birch trees to perfection.

8. PICK GRAVEL FOR A MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE FEEL

Everything You Need to Know About River Rocks for Landscaping

Using gravel is one of the easiest ways to create a classic Mediterranean-style space

(Image credit: Clive Nichols/GettyImages)

In Mediterranean garden ideas gravel is often interspersed with rocks and a natural planting scheme that combines different colors and textures.

If you like the idea, try introducing a variety of plants that work well landscaped with gravel and rocks. Many plants are happy to settle their roots straight into gravel. Any gaps will soon be colonised by self-seeding plants that will help your landscaping design evolve smoothly from year to year with very little input from you.

Try drifts of hardy and low-growing plants including lavender, herbs and succulents, then try landscaping with grasses to create a naturalistic look too.

9. REPLACE A LAWN WITH EASY GRAVEL

15 Gorgeous Rock Garden Ideas for Your Landscape - Bob Vila

Include gravel for a low-maintenance landscaping scheme

(Image credit: Alice Meacham Gardens)

If you’re interested in sustainable gardens one way to do this is cut down on the amount of lawn you have and introduce areas of gravel instead as part of your cheap landscaping ideas. Consider how much lawn is absolutely necessary in your garden and eliminate it from places where its presence can’t really be justified. Perhaps even do away with it altogether.

After all, lawns tend to be high maintenance, require lots of watering and chemicals to keep them looking good, but even so often end up looking pretty threadbare by the end of the summer. In addition, lots of small town gardens that tend to be overlooked and shady end up with scrappy looking rectangles than are a million miles away from the lush patch of green you envisaged.

This small town garden design in Dorset, in the UK, uses locally sourced materials instead of a lawn. ‘The choice of materials includes blue lias stone, chard flint gravel and Ibstock brick, which were driven by the desire to stay connected to the locale,’ explains garden designer Alice Meacham(opens in new tab), ‘while at the same time updating the garden into a modern living space.’

10. BORDER A GRAVEL PATH WITH ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

30 Incredible White Rock Landscaping Ideas for Your Front Yard | Front yard landscaping, Landscaping with rocks, White landscaping rock

Pennisetum, asters and Russian sage line this gravel path 

(Image credit: Hervé Lenain/Alamy Stock Photo)

Combine gravel with airy types of ornamental grass and soft pillows of perennials in your garden path ideas to create a naturalistic effect. The great variety of colors and contrasts that are available allows you to choose a harmonious palette of colors such as the warm buff scheme used here.

A design like this has visual impact all year round, irrespective of whether the plants or grasses are in flower as you will get interesting sculptural seed heads during the cooler months. Fountain grass (Pennisetum) is the star of this particular show. The soft golden pink tinted flower spikes and graceful foliage are retained throughout fall and into winter making them the grass that keeps on giving.

11. LIGHT UP YOUR GRAVEL LANDSCAPING AT NIGHT

15 Gorgeous Rock Garden Ideas for Your Landscape - Bob Vila

Highlight your chosen landscaping materials at night with cleverly placed lighting

(Image credit: Detail Lighting)

At night time switch up your gravel driveway ideas using V-shaped washes of light to create a soft and welcoming ambiance in your front yard. Lights can be strategically placed pointing downwards to illuminate gravel to get the best effect.

‘Gravel gardens give you the opportunity to work with some interest and depth when it comes to lighting,’ says Piero De Marchis of Detail Lighting(opens in new tab). ‘Gravel tends to be used mostly to frame pathways or walkways, so it’s important to light them appropriately.

‘If gravel is laid next to a vertical surface, like the side of the house or garden walls, use uplighters in the ground to shine brightly upwards, at intervals of around 1-1.5 metres to create a consistent pathway. Alternatively, if the gravel is in a more open setting, place low level outdoor ground spotlights in amongst the planting and other areas that frame the gravel, to create a clear pattern and outline.’

If you want to try landscaping with lights like this in your front yard, a garden designer will be able to help you plan it.

12. FILL ANY GAPS WITH POCKETS OF GRAVEL

Rock Garden Design Tips, 15 Rocks Garden Landscape Ideas

The stepping stones in this project are Silver Grey Porcelain and the gravel is a Silver Grey Limestone from CED Stone (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: James Lee Garden Design)

Designers often use a mix of materials to maximize texture and interest when landscaping with gravel. This can include both manmade and natural materials, such as slabs or pavers mixed with gravel or pebbles.

Using gravel to fill in the gaps around smooth slabs turns a path into an interesting design that demands attention in itself rather than simply being a route from A to B.

‘Using loose gravel in a garden requires some sort of retaining edge, to stop the gravel from spilling out onto, for example, plant beds or lawn,’ explains garden designer James Lee(opens in new tab). ‘In this project we used treated steel edging to act as the retaining device. This has to sit slightly higher than the finished gravel level.’

13. USE GRAVEL FOR LANDSCAPING AROUND HOT TUBS

Rock Garden Ideas for Small Spaces

Gravel and timber go well together for a modern, streamlined scheme

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb/Future)

Use gravel to soften the look of the area around your hot tub so it fits more naturally into your garden. Sections of gravel with work well with if you’re also landscaping with timber to create a raised deck for your hot tub, for example.

It’s the practical choice too – who needs a ruined lawn when you can have water-absorbing gravel to mop up any overspill.

For the ultimate privacy for your hot tub zone, you might want to consider landscaping with evergreens to get a look like this one, surrounding your hot tub space with leafy screens.

14. CREATE A MODERN DESIGN WITH WHITE GRAVEL

20 Rock Garden Designs Landscaping Ideas for Front Yard - Home and Garden - EatHappyProject

Opt for light-colored gravel for a contemporary look

(Image credit: Christine Wilford/Green Arden Design)

If your garden is shady for part of the day using white gravel to reflect the sunlight is a functional choice as well as a decorative one. This is because white gravel bounces light around to give a boost to your plants and help them grow.

Using white gravel instantly brightens the look of shady spots while reflecting existing light to nearby plants, helping them to benefit from more sunshine. It’s important to check that any plants near white gravel will benefit from this extra light.

It also works if your garden is a sun trap. ‘This back garden was designed to complement the contemporary, modern interior of the house,’ explains garden designer Christine Wilford(opens in new tab). ‘Bright materials with strong contrast continue the black and white color scheme outside.’

The white gravel areas are integral to the main paving ideas in this garden, contrasting with the sharp and crisp linear black basalt pavers interplanted with low growing thyme. The white theme is picked up with white rendered raised beds featuring architectural planting such as tree ferns and bamboo.

WHAT TYPE OF GRAVEL IS BEST FOR LANDSCAPING?

The best type of gravel for landscaping is generally considered to be pea gravel, which tends to be the garden designers’ favourite too as the end result looks so professional. The small smooth and rounded stones come in a choice of natural colors, including shades of cool gray and crisp white.

When landscaping with gravel choose the color carefully to complement paving, decking and any other garden features so you don’t make any landscaping mistakes. There are many different types of gravel available so whatever color scheme you have in mind can usually be matched.

Think about where you’re going to be using gravel before making your choice. if it’s going to be for decorative use you have much more choice and can opt for larger gravel pebbles as the area won’t be walked on. Specialist companies offer free samples so you can get an idea of how the gravel will look in situ.

This planting scheme in gravel with naturalistic rock boulders by garden designer Adam Vetere(opens in new tab) looks good plus ticks the box in terms of sustainability, biodiversity and maintenance. The planting is low maintenance and drought tolerant to limit water usage.

(Image credit: Adam Vetere)

WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST GRAVEL FOR LANDSCAPING?

Generally, the larger the stones you use when landscaping with gravel, the higher the costs. According to Homebase, pea gravel tends to be the cheapest. This is a small-stoned mix (you guessed it – each the size of a pea), in a range of warm-toned colors such as buff, honey, and grey.

Crushed marble comes in at $35 to $85 per yard, according to HomeGuide.com(opens in new tab). Larger river rocks will cost up to around $70 per yard and slate chips can cost up to $80.

Meanwhile, white and black gravel mixes are more at the pricey end, at around $130 per yard. Quartz gravel is also a premium choice, coming in at around $150 per yard.

(Image credit: Future)

Discover now the best garden rocks for your garden with design ideas and tips on how to choose the right rocks for you.

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garden rocks on pond

Garden rocks are not just for rock gardens or rockeries. Quite often, they make it into most garden designs. And you know why?

Because they create striking contrasts with the other design elements. They are also durable and don’t require much maintenance.

decorative garden rocks on pond

Also, keep in mind that unlike other garden elements, garden rocks are usually not manufactured but rather sourced from quarries. Anyway you use them, garden rocks add a natural feel to your garden.

Each rock is natural and unique. It may look like other rocks you’ve seen, but nobody has one that’s quite like it.

Popular Garden Rocks Types

Small and large stones, river rocks, white and black stones, Japanese rocks, stacked rocks—these are just some of the garden rocks you can find. The point here is that you really have lots of options to choose from.

rocks on a garden with pond

So many in fact that you may not know where to start your search. That’s why we thought to put together a list of some of the most popular garden rocks types around.

Use them for inspiration to rock that garden of yours!

Garden Stones

Let’s start with the basics. Garden stones are what most people think about when they hear “garden rocks.”

Available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, these stones are versatile. You can use them in the image below or in countless other ways.

garden rocks and stones

Garden stones can add a pleasantly rough texture to your garden. They don’t always have to be centerpieces, though. In the image above, they are used for edging alongside pebbles and flowers.

Tip: Combine garden stones of different colors, shapes, and textures to add variety and additional texture to your garden. These stones may look simple but you can always get creative with them.

Garden Pebbles

Garden pebbles are currently in vogue—they’re easy to maintain, look great, and improve plant longevity. How’s that?

Well, they help restore water in the soil during scorching summer days and prevent soil erosion caused by heavy rains. This is to say that garden pebbles can safeguard your plants against bad weather conditions.

zen garden rocks

You can use garden pebbles to create mosaics, arrange them at the base of a pond, or to pave an area alongside a pathway for contrasting textures and colors, as in the image above.

Whether you use them for contrast or not, garden pebbles are some of the most versatile garden rocks around.

Garden Gravel

Gravels can be used in both modern and traditional style gardens. Use them around the edges of your yard, on a driveway, or to create paths. Here’s one example.

garden rocks home depot

But because garden gravels come in diverse colors, which to choose? Ideally, the color of your gravel should complement the other features installed in the garden.

See the above image for inspiration. The warm hue of the gravel accentuates the color of the classic wooden storehouse.

At the same time, it goes great with the green grass and the earthly patch to the left.

Garden Boulders

Large and stately garden boulders can add a spotlight to any landscape setting. They come in various sizes, textures, and colors.

So, breathe creativity into your garden and build stunning features using their design versatility.

garden rocks landscaping

Tip: Group lively gold and yellow-hued boulders in one corner of your garden and tuck in some colorful alpines around them. The arrangement is sure to get anyone’s attention. But make sure you position those rocks firmly!

Large Garden Rocks

You know what they say? Go big or go home! The same is true when it comes to using garden rocks. If you have a spacious garden, mix in large rocks to make a statement in the landscape.

garden rocks large

And if cats frequent your garden, large garden rocks will prove to be virtually unshakable, saving you the time and effort to reposition them every now and then.

Tip: Use large rocks to enhance a flower bed or mix them with tropical trees and shrubs for a more natural appeal. They usually look best in the background, but you can also position them in the midground.

Small Garden Rocks

Small garden rocks, as the name suggests, are teeny-weeny in size and can fit neatly into any nook and corner of your garden.

Since they come in so many different colors, it’s possible to make some incredible arrangements mixing them with plants.

garden rocks design

Even if you have a really small space outdoors, you can showcase your love for a rock garden with small garden rocks. Choose a bare, overlooked corner of your yard and turn it into a shining focal point using small rocks.

Tip: Plant colorful petunias and lilies in the rock pockets, place an antique sculpture or an old bucket with small flowers for some drama, and add outdoor lighting to highlight your arrangement.

Japanese Garden Rocks

If you’re looking to create a space for mindful meditation, you might want to consider laying some Japanese garden rocks to design a traditional Japanese Zen garden in your outdoors. It’s not all that hard!

japanese garden rocks

You’ll need some very large rocks to represent a mountain or island and fill the remaining space with tiny pebbles, gravel, and white sand to represent water and waves. The design above is one way to go about it.

Tip: Plant some evergreen trees and shrubs to complement the arrangement. You may also add a bench where one can sit, relax, and meditate. Because remember: meditation is amazingly healthy.

Here are some popular elements you can add to your Japanese garden.

Large River Rocks

Large, asymmetrical-shaped river rocks in different colors can give your landscape a stylish look. Plus, they can be seamlessly combined with the other elements of your lawn like shrubs, trees, and grass.

garden rocks ideas

Tip: Create a dry creek bed using river rocks of different sizes and adding some gravel for a natural and realistic look.

River Stone Rocks

Impossibly smooth river stones are highly versatile—you can use them to make rock beds, stone fountains, and pathways, and they even have a certain mulch appeal.

garden rocks stones

You really cannot go wrong with river stones no matter where you place them. They have that natural look to them that complements just about any other garden feature close to them.

Tip: Consider creating a flower bed using multi-colored river stones to spice things up.

Garden Rocks for Edging and Borders

Garden rocks are great to outline and separate different parts of your yard, like your garden beds and walkways.

But you can’t just lay random rocks for edging and call it a day. Flagstone, cobblestones, and river rock are ideal for edging.

garden rocks border

Tip: Mix large and small rounded rocks to line the edges of your garden beds. The landscape will blend beautifully with the surroundings without it looking too manicured.

Decorative Garden Rocks

Say goodbye to dull, plain garden spaces you’re not quite sure how to jazz up. Use decorative garden rocks to add texture and a nicer feel to your outdoor space. Check out the example below for inspiration.

garden with rocks

A mixture of decorative rocks, pebbles, stone slabs, alpines, and ornamental grasses lining a small patio or archway is eye-pleasing, don’t you think?

White Garden Rocks

If you’re looking to add a modern twist to your outdoors, consider using white garden rocks.

These aesthetically appealing rocks are good for all garden projects—you can use them to create different patterns like circles, swirls, and squares.

garden rocks white

Draw inspiration from the image above. Lay a good layer of white rocks alongside your pathway and add perennials with lush green foliage for a pop of color.

You can also plant your favorite flowers for some red and yellow and orange.

Black Garden Rocks

Looking to create a chic and bold landscape? Black garden rocks are for you!

They can build layers of texture and color and are also perfect to add to your succulent garden. The black will make the green appear fresher and more alive.

garden volcanic rocks

Use black garden rocks as a filler for spaces between smooth, light-colored rocks for a beautiful, eye-catching contrast.

Tip: Don’t go overboard with these dark-colored rocks. They may make your garden look monotonous and uninspired.

Personalized Garden Rocks

Call attention to your lawn, garden patch, or backyard with a personalized rock feature that is unique to you. Get it custom-made or use the leftover rock from your garden bed and, with some paint, personalize it yourself!

garden rocks personalized

Use one or more personalized garden rocks to add a creative flair to your garden. This sort of rock can become the envy of your friends and neighbors. Not that they’ll be able to steal it!

Garden Rocks with Faces

Turn your ordinary garden into a whimsical space by featuring rocks with painted faces. Whether you buy them or create your own, these “expressive” rocks can uplift your spirits when you see them.

garden rocks with faces

Tip: Scatter them in your bare garden area for a bit of cheer or “grow” these rock faces in a planter or basket.

Garden Rocks with Sayings

It can be nice to stumble upon a brightly colored rock that has an uplifting message written on it. And the good news is that you can create them yourself using smooth, flat rocks, and acrylic paints. Here’s some inspiration.

garden rocks with sayings

These rocks are also a fun and creative way to decorate your flower beds or mark your herbs, succulents, and veggies. You can choose bright, uplifting colors, or stick to more quiet hues. Your call!

Engraved Garden Rocks

Large or small, engraved garden rocks can add a personal touch to any landscape. They are attractive to look at, inexpensive, and come in a variety of colors, sizes, and finishes.

garden rocks pebbles

Now the example above is for a pretty big family. You don’t need to go that far, though you can definitely add grandpa and grandma into the mix!

Tip: You can engrave anything from the names of loved ones to favorite quotes and messages on these rocks. The ideas are truly endless!

Painted Garden Rocks

If you don’t want to spend money on colorful garden rocks, you can paint some yourself. Grab some rocks, get some paints or markers, and get started by making creative and attractive designs on them.

What’s more, painting faces on rocks can double as a fun activity for your kids. There are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon!

garden rocks painted

Tip: Paint anything from colorful bugs and pet cactuses to minions and Pokémon on your garden rocks. Or just let the kids choose what to paint.

DIY Garden Rocks

Do you have lots of huge, boulder-sized rocks in your garden that you’re looking to get rid of? Well, instead of trying to erase them from your landscape, start a DIY garden around them.

Use the largest rock as the centerpiece and create an organic landscape around it that blends beautifully with nature.

garden rocks for landscaping

Tip: You can also layer your garden with small pebbles, install a water feature, and create a nice outdoor seating area with benches and chairs. Despite all of this, you can keep the design simple and not too crowded, like in the example above.

Garden Rocks for Plants

Garden rocks can instantly add an exotic feel to low-lying plants in your yard. And the good news is that you don’t need many garden rocks to create wonderful textures and contrasts.

A few, well-chosen rocks placed correctly can perfectly do the trick.

succulent garden with rocks

Tip: You may want to use rocks in rich red and gold tones around plants like button begonia, hens and chicks, and pincushion cactus to draw attention to your garden.

Garden Rocks for Ponds

Who doesn’t love the idea of a small garden pond? If you plan to bring one to your home landscape, then take a cue from nature and place some rounded rocks around it.

Make them look right by exposing just the surface of deeply buried rocks.

garden rocks decorative

You may need to pump the water back to its source, plant some tropical grass, and add rocks, lots of rocks, to surround your own tiny pond.

Fact: Why use a pump? Well, the sound of running water is sure to mesmerize you, plus flowing water doesn’t attract mosquitoes.

Garden Rocks for Tiny Spaces

You don’t have to go big to draw attention to your garden. Small garden rocks mixed with stones and pebbles can beautifully accentuate a smaller yard.

Add a nice little focal point such as a stone sculpture or some perennials for added effect.

garden rocks diy

Tip: Go for spirals in your garden, especially if you want to add a playful feel to it. That’s because spirals look appealing without taking up much space.

Garden Rocks for Indoor Gardens

Don’t have a huge yard to display stones and rocks? Fret not. You can bring rocks to your living room to create an offbeat indoor garden.

Smooth and shiny river rocks of different sizes and colors are best suited for indoor gardens.

garden rocks at home depot

Tip: Create a visually striking path using contrasting stones in an unused corner of your house. Add features like garden lights, ornamental sculptures, and small plants to the arrangement.

Round Garden Rocks

Lining your flower bed with large, round rocks is one excellent way of giving your garden a fairytale look. While choosing rocks, go for ones that are similar in size but different in color.

garden rocks

Tip: You could even create such spaces to make your own herb garden. Plant basil, lavender, lemon balm, and mint for the fragrance and their uses as culinary herbs.

Zen Garden Rocks

Zen garden rocks give off a very serene vibe and help bring calm to your life, even after a hectic day at work. Use flattened river rocks for a classic Zen garden look and add crushed gravel or sand that’s easy to rake into patterns.

japanese garden rocks for sale

In Zen gardens, the rocks are set upright with their best sides showing. Choose rocks of different colors, shapes, and sizes.

Tip: Avoid using bright colored rocks that might distract the viewers. A Zen garden is all about harmony and balance!

Stacked Rocks for Garden

Stacked rocks can bring a visual appeal and depth to your garden. They can be the center of attention in your garden, or they can be placed in a manner to accentuate your plants.

rain garden with rocks

Tip: Stack rocks atop each with the widest at the base and the narrowest at the top to create a focal point in your garden bed. Make sure you place them on level ground so that they have a solid base.

Mandala Rocks for Garden

The Sanskrit word “mandala” literally means “circle.” It is symbolic of the profound connection with the self and the universe. Bring these beautiful, symbolic rocks to your garden to represent your connection with the natural world around you.

paint for garden rocks

These mandala rocks are ideal to display in decorative succulent bowls, potted plants, flower beds, or herb gardens.

Fairy Garden Rocks

Turn a boring outdoor space into a cute and whimsical fairy garden. You’ll need some rocks, preferably tiny and smooth ones, pebbles, and gravels.

Surround them with low-lying ornamental flowers and vines to complete the look.

garden rocks sale

Tip: Color your own little rocks, add an enchanting fairy house, some painted mushrooms, and a whimsical bridge for a garden straight out of a fairytale. Fairy gardens are great to build with kids, so make sure to involve the little ones into the project.

While you’re at it, here are some popular fairy garden accessories you can add to your space.

Secret Garden Rocks

So, what kind of rocks will you need to make a secret garden? Well, you can use anything from garden boulders to stones, river rocks, and gravels, so long as they are old.

As the rocks age, they are overtaken by moss and ferns. This can help you design your own secret garden to have a pleasant wild look.

where to find garden rocks

Once you’ve layered your garden with rocks and gr