How to Landscape With Natural Stone
Landscaping styles vary and include formal, rustic, European and more. For those searching for a natural look, there are various statues, plants and layouts to aid with that, including the important addition of natural rocks. Whether you are using stones as a patio surface or at the plant beds, they can help pull the “natural” theme together for you.
Line natural areas with small or medium stones to form an edging. Dig a shallow trench no longer than 1 third of the height of their stones plus 2 inches, and fill with two inches of gravel. The gravel will help with drainage.
Lay out flat stones out on a course for stepping stones. Walk the stones and also adjust the space between them to your stride length. Dive across the stones so that they settle in the floor and are level with the ground. If you are filling in around them using gravel or mulch, keep the tops of the stones around 2 inches above ground so that the material does not always cover them.
Use cut stone for a surface to your own deck. The natural look and colors will improve your yard, and the smooth surface will be safe for entertaining. Fill between cracks with mortar or sand.
Put medium to large stones in the plant beds to focus the eye on a certain place or just add a touch of interest. Vary the sizes of the stones you put down.
Put stones together a winding course to form a pretend flow bed. Put them in a low-lying place where water drains if you desire the pretend bed to get some true function. Plant low vegetation or grasses along the stream bed to make it resemble an area where water flows or used to stream.
Insert bigger stones in between tall shrubs and trees where they would fit more naturally. Insert a few small and medium stones scattered or around nearby so that there’s a tapering off around the large stones.
