Enhance the functionality of your outdoor space with landscaping stones 

Landscaping stones can transform your backyard into a functional and stylish outdoor space. With their durability and versatility, there are endless possibilities for incorporating them into your landscaping design. Whether it's for garden pathways, patio surfaces, stepping stones, or decorative accents, choosing the right type of stone is crucial for achieving your desired look and purpose.

Factors like coordination with surroundings and plants, color and texture, landscape theme, stone layout pattern, size, and shape play a significant role in determining the ideal landscaping stone for your project. Consider these seven different types of landscaping stones to update your outdoor space with texture and variety:

SMALL STONES FOR LANDSCAPING

Typically, small stones are utilized for creating pathways in gardens and yards, with two primary styles available: crushed gravel and pea gravel. Over time, they may deteriorate, becoming excessively dusty and crumbly. In such cases, replacing them with a fresh batch is recommended.

Pea Gravel:
Small, rounded rocks ideal for driveways, pathways, and garden beds. Resembling small, smooth peas, these stones are frequently utilized on playgrounds for children, as they lack sharp edges. If you intend to create a pathway that will likely be traversed with bare feet, or if you have kids playing in the yard, pea gravel is an excellent option.


Crushed Granite Gravel: Contemporary and refined with thicker texture for garden and pathway use.

Crushed gravel is made up of crushed rocks and has a rustic, natural appearance. Unlike pea gravel, it has rougher edges and comes in varying sizes and shapes. It's easy to pack down and commonly used by contractors for road shoulders, backfill, and pipe bedding. In landscaping, crushed gravel is ideal for creating driveways.

CRUSHED LANDSCAPE STONE

Crushed landscape stone is similar to crushed gravel but comes in larger sizes with sharp edges and varying shapes.

River Rock:
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Bigger and smoother than pea gravel, great for creating structures like fountains or retaining walls.
River rock is a highly sought-after landscaping rock with smooth, rounded shapes and slight size and shape variations. It serves as a stunning accent around boulders and fences or as a ground cover for rock gardens.

MEDIUM-SIZED DECORATIVE STONES

Decorative stones that are around 1-2" wide are considered medium-sized landscape stones. However, it's important to note that they may not be suitable for areas with high foot traffic, as they can create an uneven terrain that increases the risk of falls and twisted ankles. Instead, these stones are better suited for lining garden pathways and filling garden beds as an alternative to mulch.

While medium-sized rocks last longer than gravel, they will still break down over time and may need to be replaced. There are three recommended styles: crushed landscape stone, river rock, and lava rock.

Lava Rock

Unique and bold accent stones that can absorb and release heat for added functionality.

Lava rock is a unique type of landscape stone that comes from volcanoes. It has a porous texture and a dark color that adds drama to any landscape. Typically, it comes in shades of black, grey, or reddish-brown.


Rundle Rocks

Crushed landscape stone, like Rundle rock, is an excellent option for supporting walking on a slope due to its medium size and jagged edges that grip each other, keeping the stones in place during rain and snowfall.


River rock 
Bigger and smoother than pea gravel, great for creating structures like fountains or retaining walls.
 
Such as Creekstone, is a beautiful medium-sized stone with smooth edges that add a softer texture to any landscape. It has cool tones that make it a great choice for accenting your outdoor space.

LARGE LANDSCAPING ROCKS

Large landscaping rocks can serve multiple purposes in your yard, including as garden edging, retaining walls, structural elements, stepping stones, or standalone decorative pieces. There are two main types of these rocks, and their functions vary due to differences in shape.

When arranging large landscaping rocks, it is important to be cautious as they can be quite heavy. You may need extra help to move the larger pieces.

Boulder: Massive stones that make a statement as borders, water features, or accent pieces.

Boulders are excellent accent stones for rock gardens, and their size and weight make them suitable for retaining walls and benches. To achieve a natural look, it is best to arrange boulders in an imperfect way, avoiding symmetry and selecting a variety of shapes and sizes if lining them up in a row.


FLAGSTONE: 
Irregular shaped stones perfect for decorative accents, patios, stair treads, and walkways.
Flagstones, also known as slab stones, are flat and large rocks that make for ideal stepping stones in gardens and landscapes. They can be placed around pool decks, patios, ponds, and fountains. You have the option to let grass or ground cover plants grow around the flagstone paths or to create neat and defined borders with gravel.


By carefully choosing the right landscaping stones, you can enhance the functionality and comfort of your backyard.

Rundle  - Natural Flagstone 1 in 

Rundle flagstones are a beautiful and high-quality option for landscaping projects. Made from siltstone, these flagstones have a unique greyish-blue tone with hints of white streaks on some slabs. The natural color variations in Rundle flagstones give them a distinct look that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

Rundle - Natural Flagstone 2 in 

Not only are Rundle flagstones visually appealing, but they are also durable and long-lasting. They can withstand the harsh Calgary climate, making them a great option for outdoor spaces. Additionally, Rundle flagstones are low-maintenance, requiring minimal upkeep and not needing to be replaced as frequently as other materials. Overall, Rundle flagstones are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, visually stunning, and low-maintenance landscaping option.