Types of stones in landscape design: what are the differences, and how to use

How you can use pebbles, what is the difference between crushed stone and gravel, what stone is stronger than granite, and how does gneiss look like: we understand the types of natural stone for the garden landscape

Flowers, ponds and stones will always occupy a central place in the garden landscape. Due to their properties, beauty, diversity, stones remain the most spectacular elements of design, which are often used by both specialists and ordinary dacha owners in the design of the site. What stone to choose for decorative or functional garden accents – we understand the characteristics of natural rocks.

Stones for landscape design: granite

Hard stone rock, strong and durable – a universal option for finishing ponds and fountains, garden paths and stairs, curbs. Disadvantages – price, weight, difficulties in processing.

Landscape stone: basalt

This rock is not inferior to granite in strength, resistant to heavy loads and temperature changes. Widely used in the manufacture of outdoor tabletops, fireplaces and sculptures, for garden paths, paving.

Marble and marble chips

Durable rock, based on calcite CaCO3. Marble is used not only in slabs and blocks, but also as pebbles or crumbs for decoration of flowerbeds, lawns, paths, dry streams, gabions, for drainage and panels. The material is strong and durable, perfectly withstands frosts, is not radioactive.

Types of stones for garden design: gravel

This sedimentary loose rock is formed naturally as a result of the destruction of minerals and various rocks. Gravel comes in mountain, water and glacial, is smooth and environmentally friendly, a variety of size and color.

The material combines well with wood and glass, with concrete and mosses, paving stones, spectacular boulders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHX-ytGz5iA

Pebbles for landscape design

Pebbles are known to all as rounded small stones that are collected at sea and then used in the decoration. The material is a type of gravel, formed naturally by the effects of water and wind. Sea, lake and river pebbles differ in size and shades. It is actively used in landscape design for arranging paths, decorating flower beds, filling dry streams and gabions.

Stones – types and names: crushed stone

Solid loose material with a rough surface and sharp contours, not inferior to gravel in popularity, consists of crushed rocks and stones, from large gravel, from the waste of stone processing enterprises. Crushed stone is gravel and limestone, granite and slag, secondary.

Small gravel is used for bed decoration, stones of larger size are used for fences of flower beds, large gravel – to create Japanese gardens.

Crushed stone and gravel – what is the difference? First of all, in the origin. Gravel, smoother and more rounded, is formed naturally by wind and water, and the sharp and angular rubble obtained by crushing rocks. The materials also differ in size and in their decorativeness: it is gravel with a wider range of colors and smoothness more often used to decorate the landscape.

Landscape stones: limestone

This sedimentary rock with calcium carbonate in the base is formed naturally, forming into a porous stone with different shades and density. The hue and properties depend on the composition of the stone. Some rocks are perfectly sawn and often used in construction. Shell rock in particular.

Limestone in landscape design is used to create Japanese gardens, alpine slides, to decorate flower beds, paths, fences. Lightweight, decorative and inexpensive material retains heat, allows water to pass through, quickly covered with moss.

Natural stone for garden design: sandstone

Sandstone, which is a type of flagstone, clastic sedimentary rock, which has a rough texture, graininess, loose features and similarity to pressed sand. It is based on quartz, mica and feldspars. Moisture resistant landscape design material with beautiful texture and a variety of shades.

Ideal for cladding vertical surfaces, does not accumulate radiation, breathable, inexpensive.

Garden design: volcanic tuff

There are three types of tuff – volcanic, siliceous and calcareous. Volcanic rock is characterized by low density and porosity, lightness and durability, fire resistance, a large palette of colors, and a unique appearance that allows you to use stones effectively in garden design.

Tufa absorbs heat during the day and gives it away when darkness falls. In landscape design, tuff is used for alpinaries, sculptural accents, and rock gardens.

Landscape stone: slate

A kind of flagstone, a mineral of volcanic origin: slate is layered, beautiful, has the property of stratifying into separate “sheets”. The rock is distinguished by its strength and durability, a variety of colors.

Slate is used for terraces and retaining walls, to create artificial rocks, for roofing and garden paths, and even for the manufacture of tableware.

Types of natural stones: gneiss

A tough and layered rock with feldspar, quartz, and mica at its core. The picturesque blocks of gneiss resemble the petrified bark of an enormous tree. Gneiss is strong and unbroken like shale, resistant to common acids. The hardness of the stone is similar to steel.

Large stones are used to create walls and stony beds, for Japanese gardens, decorative gabions, for foundations and tiles, and as a rubble stone.

Country landscape: porphyry stone

A massive rock with increased strength, interesting structure and shades of red in the color scheme. A stone with a history, discovered back in ancient Egypt where it was used to create luxury items and statues of pharaohs. Porphyry reveals its coloring after grinding and polishing. Porphyry is much more durable than granite and is nearly as strong as diamonds.

The stone is used for finishing swimming pools, creating borders, for table tops and fireplace decorations.