Backyard Reflections

With an appealing landscape design, your home’s overall value will increase. Aside from hiring the right designer, selecting the right material for your landscaping is key. One option that many homeowners and professionals choose is natural stone. You can use it for your porch, gazebo, garden steps, pathways, walkways, and more. 

Keep on reading to discover the benefits of choosing natural stone for your landscaping. 

Natural Stone Options to Consider

Pea Gravel
One of the most popular natural stone options, pea gravel features small and rounded stones in various sizes. The size of the rocks can vary from half an inch to eight of an inch. They are available in different colors, such as tan, brown, and white. Pea gravel is ideal for covering driveways and in between the crevices of pathways. You can also use it for your garden beds instead of mulch. 

Lava Rock
Lava rocks are from volcanoes that are not active anymore. These rocks are low in density and feature a distinct, bold look because of their black or red color. They can be a little costlier than other types of natural stones, but they can give your landscape a unique look. Lava rocks work well in most landscaping designs. Another amazing feature of these rocks is that they absorb heat during the day and release it at night. 

Decomposed Granite
If you want to achieve a rustic look for the design of your landscaping, consider decomposed granite. It comes in a sandy texture and a reddish-tan hue, resembling the granite where it came from. Decomposed granite will give your yard, deck, or patio a classic, rustic charm. This type of natural stone works great as a topdressing around dried-up plants or as ground cover.

Crushed Granite Gravel
Crushed granite gravel is like decomposed granite, but they have larger particles and a thicker texture. They are also rougher than pea gravel, which makes them a great option for gardens and pathways or as a transition between walkways and patio plants. With this type of natural stone, you can achieve both a contemporary and refined look for your outdoor living space.  

River Rock
Also called pebbles, river rock has a smoother texture and a bigger size than pea gravel. These rocks are almost as big as your palm. The cost of pebbles depends on their shade and size. You can use them to create features in your yard, such as fountains or retaining walls. For a more unique look, you can combine different river rock sizes. They are also ideal for creating direct drainage within your home or dried creek beds. 

Flagstones
Another natural rock to consider for your landscape is flagstone. This common type of landscaping stone comes in different varieties, such as sandstone and limestone. They usually have an irregular outline, and you can utilize them for decorative and functional purposes. Professionals can cut these stones flat or in the diameter that is best for your project. Homeowners typically prefer them for patients, stair treads, walkways, and stepping stones. 

Boulder
Boulder is available in nearly all shapes and sizes, and you can buy it in tons. The color and appearance of these landscaping stones depend on the stone you will get. You can use them for water features or as water features and accents in your landscape. 

What Are the Benefits of Natural Stone for Landscaping?

Superior Durability
You want materials that are worth investing in for your landscaping. Unlike wood that gets scratches or chips, natural stones’ appearance will not change due to normal wear and tear. It would not be easy to see small chips and scratches. Another great advantage of natural stone is that it offers extreme resistance to decay and frost damage. It’s one of those materials that truly stands the test of time. 

Unique Appeal
Natural stone can set your home apart from other houses in your neighborhood. Because no two pieces of stone are the same, your landscape will have a unique look. No other landscaping material can connect your home to the natural environment like natural stone. It can be challenging for other manufactured and artificial products to capture the rich color and unique texture of genuine stone. 

Versatility
Since natural stones come in a wide range of colors, textures, shapes, finishes, patterns, and sizes, you’ll never run out of options for your landscape design. No matter the architectural style of your home, there is a natural stone option for you. With the help of an experienced designer and builder, you can achieve a functional and appealing landscape. Moreover, natural stone can serve different purposes and can be cut or finished to meet the needs of your project. 

Added Home Value
With natural stone, you can enjoy a higher and lasting return on investment. If you are considering selling in the future, this feature will definitely add value to your property. You can use it for both indoor and outdoor spaces without making them look outdated. Compared to other materials, the beauty of natural stone does not fade. 

Environmentally-Friendly
Stone is one of the most sustainable materials you can choose for your home because it came from nature. It does not contain unhealthy chemicals or substances and does not emit harmful gases. Natural stone also uses lesser energy in its extraction compared to other manufactured products. 

Easy to Maintain
Not everyone has the time to maintain their landscape constantly. With natural stone, you don’t need to worry about taking care of your outdoor space every now and then. All it needs to maintain its beauty is occasional washing with a garden hose. It does not require routine sealing, staining, or painting. Another unique thing about this material is that it develops a natural patina as it ages, making it look more attractive. Moreover, when your natural stone develops stains, make sure to remove them immediately to prevent them from becoming permanent. 

Make sure to work with an experienced outdoor living company to ensure the success of your landscaping project. Backyard Reflections has been providing excellent landscape design/build services for more than two decades. Call us at (320) 274-6336 (Annandale) or (218) 454-1065 (Nisswa). You may also fill out our contact form to get request a consultation.