Gravel and rocks aren’t usually the first things that come to mind when picturing a gorgeous yard. However, a stunning landscape design with rocks is possible and comes with some great benefits! Read on to learn some key considerations for creating a beautiful landscape design with rocks, gravel, and boulders.
Know Your Space
This is an important step to take before beginning any major landscaping design project. Examine the space and create a basic idea of where everything will go.
What current structures will stay? Measure each section and create a plan to scale that helps ensure all the elements will fit nicely. Don’t forget to mark the utilities, it’s important to know where not to dig!
Decide on a Style
Choosing a style for the design will help keep the landscape looking cohesive. There are various landscaping styles homeowners can choose from including:
- French garden
- Mediterranean
- Modern
- Natural
- Japanese
- Tropical
When choosing a style, consider the home’s architecture and any other established themes that exist in the space. The chosen landscape style should complement those or things will start looking a little too hodge-podge.
Decide on a Color Palette
Another trick for keeping the landscape cohesive is to choose a color palette. Green is obviously a prominent color but the accent colors are up to the homeowner.
A monochrome palette with one prominent color is an easy choice for inexperienced designers. However, adding splashes of color here and there will enhance the look of the landscaping design considerably. Just make sure to choose a palette that works together (the color wheel is a great tool to get started).
Rock Texture
Rocks are fantastic for adding texture and interest to a landscape design. In fact, the textures are one of the best things about a landscape design with rocks.
There’s a lot you can do here. Rough boulders in a retaining wall add rustic flair. A crushed gravel pathway makes a nice contrast with the green lawn it borders. Rounded pea gravel has a soft, inviting look and is easily raked into place.
These different textures add dimension and depth to the landscape design.
Rock Colors
It might be surprising, but rocks come in a variety of colors. From black to white to brown and everything in between, there are a lot to choose from. Artificially colored gravel in a rainbow of colors is also available.
For those who choose a cool color palette, grayish rocks are the best choice. Alternatively, reddish-brown and tan rocks look fabulous with a warm color palette. River rocks that come in a variety of colors is also a fun choice.
Rock Sizes
To add interest, choose different rock sizes and visually layer them. Large rocks are perfect for building a retaining wall to even out a sloped yard. Smaller, fist-sized rocks can also be used for retaining walls around flower beds.
Small rocks are great to use as ground cover in rock beds. Dot a handful of small shrubs in the rock bed to add vivacity and variety.
Rock Shapes
The shape of the rocks have a huge impact on the overall atmosphere of the landscape. Organic shapes give the landscaping a natural, forest-like feel. Uniform shapes, particularly carefully cut squares, seem more chic and contemporary.
If a modern feel is desired, choose clean-cut slabs and arrange them in a grid formation. Border with a contrasting river rock like Mexican beach pebbles.
Rock Slabs
Another option to break up the monotony is to use rock slabs. For example, slabs can be used for a flagstone structure (such as a patio), stepping stones, or even to build rustic stairs.
Rock slabs have a very different feel from gravel and other smaller stones, adding another element of interest to the landscape design.
Build Contrast With Variety
One of the best things about landscaping with rocks is that it’s easy to build contrast with variety. The soft green of the plants creates a perfect contrast with the strong lines and muted colors of the rocks.
Using a mix of rock sizes, shapes, and colors also helps to augment the drama by adding more harmonious variety to the mix. There’s so much you can do, it’s no wonder that landscaping with rocks is one of the best landscape ideas out there!
Create Drama With a Focal Point
A landscape design without a focal point doesn’t give the eye a comfortable place to rest. To bring harmony to the design, it’s important to create a main focal point.
With rocks, a focal point could be a vertical slab drilled and plumbed to turn it into a dramatic water feature. To create a forest-like, mountainous feel, rocks can be piled in artful stacks. Even a single large boulder or a grouping of them can anchor the design.
Check Out Xeriscape for Inspiration
Xeriscape is a form of landscaping that focuses on creating a landscape with low water requirements. To do this, it utilizes drought-resistant plants, avoids big lawns, and relies on hardscapes like rock gardens and interesting pathways for variety.
Thus, xeriscaping is a great method to look to for landscape ideas when creating a landscape design with rocks.
Finalize the Design
Before breaking ground, homeowners should be sure to finalize every aspect of the design either on paper or in a computer program. Take all the appropriate measurements and draw everything out to scale. This is sure to save headaches and cut down on mistakes once the physical work begins.
Not sure how to draw a landscape plan? Check out the steps here!
Arrange Large Rocks in Landscaping
Large rocks add interest and can serve as focal points. However, they must be placed correctly or they will look unnatural and out of place.
Choose a bigger boulder than you think you’ll need and bury it partially. Boulders found in nature sink into the soil, and are not usually seen laying on top. Continuing, finish the design with smaller pieces of the same boulder material to create a natural scene.
Group boulders in threes so they appear balanced to the eye. Further, use local rock if possible so the colors will match the surrounding area. Allow the shape of the rock to dictate its placement for the most natural look possible.
Plant Flowers in Rock Landscaping
A rock-dominated landscape seems stark and barren. However, it’s easy to soften this effect with a few well-placed flowers. Perennials are great low-maintenance plants for this purpose.
Flowers can be planted before laying the landscape fabric and rocks or afterward by raking aside the rocks and cutting a hole in the fabric. Ideally, irrigation and any lighting infrastructure is installed first. Secondly, plants are placed. Lastly, the landscape fabric and ground cover is applied.
Don’t Forget the Landscape Fabric
When working with rock beds, gravel pathways, or another rocky ground cover, don’t forget the landscape fabric. This will seriously cut down on maintenance and weed problems in the future.
Laying this material under gravel (and even mulch in flower beds) prevents the weeds before they can take root. Imagine not spending every weekend fighting the weeds in the yard, hooray! It is relatively easy to install and definitely worth the cost.
Have a Project in Mind?
Our landscaping professionals at Atlanta Turf & Tree have 35 years of combined experience turning Atlanta-area yards into works of living, lasting art. Contact our landscaping services experts to get going on your next project!
