When it comes to enhancing the visual appeal and functionality of outdoor spaces, selecting the right decorative stone is key.
The variety of stones available offers unique textures, colors, and shapes that can complement different landscape styles, from modern minimalist to rustic naturalistic gardens.
Understanding the types of landscape decorative stone and their style applications allows homeowners and designers to create outdoor environments that are not only visually striking but also harmonious with the overall design vision.
Whether you’re looking to create elegant pathways, define garden beds, or add focal points, exploring the characteristics of various decorative stones will help guide you toward the perfect choice for your landscape.
Image above credits: Project by Carson McElheney Landscape Architecture (CMLA).
9. Mexican Beach Pebbles
A popular choice for both residential and commercial landscaping projects, Mexican Beach Pebbles are a smooth and beautiful stone that adds a modern touch to any space.
Due to their versatility and beauty, this type of landscape stone is commonly used for walkways, pathways, landscape borders, pool areas, ponds and other water features.
Their smooth surface makes it easy for people and pets to walk barefoot around the yard, making it perfect for high-traffic areas. The pebbles also create a natural weed barrier and help with drainage, making them the ideal material for drought-tolerant landscapes (also known as xeriscape).
Design Guide: These smooth, rounded stones offer a sleek, modern look that pairs well with minimalist and contemporary designs. They are often used in Zen gardens, water features, and around succulents or other low-maintenance plants.
8. Crushed Bluestone Gravel
Crushed bluestone landscape rock is a versatile material that can add both functionality and aesthetic appeal to your outdoor space. Its natural blue-grey color brings a subtle yet striking contrast to plantings, hardscapes, and architectural features.
This type of landscape rock is great for garden pathways, walkways, or driveways. The small, angular stones provide a stable, slip-resistant surface that compacts well and can withstand heavy foot traffic.
Design Guide: Crushed bluestone landscape rock can be versatile, fitting into several different design styles depending on how it is used. This stone’s classic appearance pairs well with traditional, modern, coastal, naturalistic, colonial, or japanese garden design styles.
7. Decomposed Granite
Decomposed Granite is a natural product that is created when solid granite weathers and erodes over time, creating fine particles that can be crushed to different sizes.
Often used for paths, this type of stone is less expensive than paving a patio or driveway with pavers and offers a more organic, rustic look while still being permeable.
Decomposed granite provides a smooth transition between formal landscaping and natural, wilderness areas. Lining a pathway with a black metal strip or using a door mat outside of doors helps keep this type of landscape rock in place, especially when traffic is heavy.
Design Guide: Decomposed Granite continues to be in demand for its natural, rustic appearance and versatility. It’s used for pathways, driveways, and seating areas and is loved for its ability to blend into various landscape styles from Mediterranean to desert gardens.
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6. Pea Gravel
Pea gravel is a type of decorative rock that has a variety of uses and is ideal for landscaping projects that require a more natural look and offers a more affordable option than poured concrete.
Useful for walkways, patios, and other paving projects – it provides an attractive and durable ground cover that promotes effective drainage and reduces soil erosion.
The small, rounded stones of this type of decorative rock are easy to maintain and offer an appealing aesthetic.
Design Guide: Pea gravel is often used in designs that aim to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. The rounded, smooth texture of pea gravel gives it a rustic charm, making it ideal for informal garden settings, cottage gardens, or country-style landscapes.
5. White Marble Chips
Using white marble landscape rock in your garden or outdoor space can create a clean, sophisticated, and elegant look that adds contrast and texture to your design.
One of the best uses for white marble chips is to create pathways throughout your yard.
In minimalist or modern garden designs, white marble rocks can complement simple plantings and contemporary designs with their clean appearance.
Design Guide: White marble chips provide a structured landscape, contrasting bright against dark foliage plants. This type of landscape rock is greeted combined with materials like concrete, steel, or glass to enhance the modern aesthetic.
4. Local River Rock
River rock is a basic type of decorative stone with various colors depending on region.
Gathered from river beds, these rocks have been rounded and smoothed by nature over time, creating a rustic and earthy look.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, river rock features offer practical benefits like weed suppression, moisture retention, and erosion control on sloped areas in gardens.
Although this material looks beautiful in landscaping, it’s not ideal for high-traffic areas or places next to trees with lots of leaf debris or fruit (like maples, gingkos, black walnuts and crabapples). The stones can easily collect these materials and become a seasonal mess that’s difficult to keep tidy.
Design Guide: River rocks have a rustic appeal, making them perfect for informal garden settings. Depending on the region, this type of landscape rock is used in arid climates, cottage gardens, woodland landscapes, or country-style designs to enhance the feeling of being in a natural, unmanicured space.
3. Charcoal Basalt Gravel
Charcoal basalt gravel is a dark, dense stone with a modern and sleek appearance, making it an excellent choice for adding contrast and sophistication to a variety of landscape designs.
This type of landscape rock has deep charcoal or black tones that can complement both contemporary and traditional styles, providing a bold backdrop for plants and architectural features.
Design Guide: Charcoal or black basalt gravel is popular for its sleek, contemporary look. It’s often chosen for contemporary modern and coastal landscapes, providing a dramatic contrast to plants and other landscape features.
2. Lava Rock
Lava rock, composed of actual volcanic lava, is an earthy addition to garden and walkway borders.
This type of landscape rock is great for adding visual interest and blends in with a more rugged natural landscape.
They also work well as a smokeless accent for gas fire pits, as they can hold heat and provide comfort for chilly spring evenings or autumn late nights.
Design Guide: Lava rocks are frequently used in modern and rugged type landscapes due to their bold color and texture. They can create stark contrasts with sleek, contemporary materials like concrete, metal, or glass, contributing to a clean, uncluttered design.
1. Gray Slate Chips
Slate chippings are made from crushed natural slate rock and can be used for a wide range of landscaping projects.
Gray slate gravel is a versatile, attractive landscape rock with a rich, layered texture and a range of gray tones that can add depth and sophistication to various garden styles.
Its flat, angular pieces create a unique visual effect and can be used in many ways to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your outdoor space.
Design Guide: Slate chips are trending for their dark, rich tones and unique textures. These stones are ideal for modern landscapes, adding depth and contrast when used in garden beds or as ground cover.
