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Rock backyard landscaping


21 Unique Rock Landscaping Ideas For Your Yard

There are many rock landscaping ideas that you can use to create beautiful areas of your yard that are less suitable for traditional gardens.

It’s the perfect way to improve curb appeal and solve problems with soil erosion, poor drainage and sandy soil at the same time.

Fortunately, there are so many great rock landscaping ideas you can tap into to find the perfect solution for your situation.

Or you can choose rock landscape design for its stunning natural look and beauty it provides.

It works great in any outdoor space and has the great advantage of being low maintenance as well.

Types of Landscape Designs Using Rocks

Rock Gardens
A rock garden is a garden bed where the rocks can be the foundation or focal point of the garden bed. 

Instead of wood chips, use small stones. The use of smaller stones or even gravel will still allow you to easily plant your shrubs, trees or perennials.

Rock Pathways
Small stones or gravel can be used to provide a walkway between points, whether it’s in the front yard or backyard.

These can also be combined with stepping stones, like my DIY concrete ones or concrete pavers.

Dry Creek Beds
These are excellent for dealing with low areas that stay moist. Usually, stones of different sizes will be used to help with drainage, as well as for nicer aesthetics.

Drought-resistant vegetation can also be added to these types of garden beds.  

Rock Walls
Rock walls are great for soil erosion problems. These can make a dramatic difference in a landscape. Typically larger rocks are used.

Rock Water Features
From ponds to small streams to waterfalls, rocks are the perfect vehicle or backdrop for any water feature in your yard.

How to Design With Rocks in a Garden

Start by creating a focal point. This can be a special plant, tree, garden sculpture or water feature. Just something that stands out or is special for you.

Create layers to bring in visual interest. This can be achieved by using a mixture of small and large rocks.

In addition to using different size rocks, also think about using unique shapes and textures, and a variety of different colors.

When it comes to shapes or textures in stones, combining flat and round or smooth with a more jagged texture makes for a beautiful multi-layered look.

It provides a foundation or backdrop that looks great for planting ornamental grasses, flowers or any type of vegetation in front.

Unique Rock Landscaping Ideas

Check out this great idea for making a gorgeous dry river bed using river stones.

Birdz of a Feather used a cool statue and special tree as a focal point.

They thoughtfully included stepping stones for meandering through their dry creek bed oasis.

They also used landscape fabric to inhibit weed growth, which is also a natural act of the river rock, and in combination makes this a very low maintenance rock garden.

If you suffer from wet ground and soil erosion, then a gravel garden can be a fantastic solution to your problem.

We refurbished a muddy, weed garden into what will next year become a lush, gravel garden. And it will eventually be virtually maintenance-free.

This is because the gravel is 4-6” thick and the plants were actually potted in the gravel and not in the soil they came in.

There’s even a small rock garden portion set to the side in this gravel bed.

Check out the detailed tutorial for how to make this, so you can reduce your time spent weeding the garden. 

Here is lots of useful advice on different ways to create a rock water feature, including ponds and waterfalls.

Kelly will explain what considerations to take into account when it comes to combining water and rocks.

For example, what type of rock to use and why different types of rocks create different effects. As well as when to use large stones, vs flat rocks, natural stones or artificial ones. 

For fabulous details on how to execute perfect stone paths, you’ll want to check out how Craving Some Creativity made this one.

This low-budget solution to a walkway improved the aesthetics of their yard as well as made it infinitely more functional.

Here are 15 other garden path ideas you may be interested in as well.

If you loved our first rock landscaping idea, then here is the tutorial for the corner rock garden portion of the dry creek bed.

The use of ground cover and drought tolerant plants make this an easy type of garden to care for.  

Here’s the perfect way to add literal curb appeal to an awkward patch of grass next to your sidewalk.

This rock garden pathway edging uses a landscape barrier to control weed growth. 

With the contrast of dark mulch and different sizes of rocks, you can transform an  awkward space into a beautiful garden bed.

You can make an awesome flagstone path right on top of dirt! Just remove any weeds or sod first. Of course there are a few other important things to know, so check out the detailed tutorial for great tips!

I bet you didn’t think weed-free flower beds were possible. Well Girl Just DIY can show you how it’s done.

You may have guessed the theme by now, landscape fabric and gravel can be powerful barriers to weed growth.

This combination uses multi-colored granite for the gravel. It works perfectly for perennials and succulents. 

If you love these ideas but are not interested in going the DIY route, then this is the post for you.

Bigger Than The Three of Us decided to hire out their rock bed job and can give you a sense of costs- both materials and labor, as well as the time involved.

The dry creek bed turned out fantastic with the large river rocks, mixed with smaller ones.

It’s especially stunning in contrast with the dark mulch that borders it on one end and lush green grass on the other.

There’s more information in this guide to help you decide whether to pay for a stone pathway installation or to do it yourself.

This one is a bit different but thinks outside the box. Use concrete to make a faux rock to conceal less appealing solar lights.

The round “rocks” are a natural fit in any garden or pathway. We have these placed in our 4-6” deep gravel garden. In case you missed it, it was the second item on our list. 

The artificial solar rock lights make for the perfect ambiance at night.

And during the day they add visual interest to the garden due to the varying changes in heights, much like the rock garden portion of this garden.

Here is a nicely detailed tutorial for a gorgeous flagstone pathway made from pieces of rock (which may not be officially flagstone) but look very much like it.

Any flat pieces of rock will work for a flagstone-like path. Check out the tutorial from Farm Fresh Vintage Finds to see how.

For great tips and advice on how to incorporate larger rocks into your landscaping design, you’ve got to check out this post from Lane and High.

She’ll discuss different design options and why she made the choices she did for her front yard rock landscaping project.

And in addition, she’ll even give you the breakdown of costs.

Usually, when you purchase rocks from a landscape supply, you typically need to buy them in bulk.

This almost always ends up in having a fair amount leftover that you need to get creative with.

DIY Danielle has found several great ways to utilize small rocks all around the yard. From a stone pathway to hard-to-mow areas, to drainage locations.

Check out the post for more ideas on how to put your leftover stones to good use.

Here is a landscape makeover using pea gravel and landscape rocks.

There had been a large, plain area of grass that didn’t have much visual appeal and also couldn’t be used recreationally.

Landscaping rocks was a great choice for visually breaking up the space to make it a little more dynamic.

In addition, the rock acted as a retaining wall for a raised garden bed.

Use large boulders to create stone structures, or stone cairns to add appeal to an awkward space.

You’ll have to check out On Woodland Lane’s fantastic rock landscaping ideas on stacking rocks.

A stone feature creates visual interest in any space where a garden may not fit. This type of structure is also perfect for a small space.

You can make a rock water feature with a dramatic effect.

This DIY waterfall incorporates some lava rock so that not all of the large rocks are heavy to lift.

Check out the post to see how the waterfall was made with relatively few materials and at a lower price than you’d think.

This is a simple way to use rocks in your landscape. This bird bath was repurposed into a rock garden.

If you have a challenging landscape with steeper grading then rock stairs just may be the perfect solution.

The stone blends in beautifully with the natural surroundings.

The tutorial is very detailed and also has a video, so you’ll be sure to have the information you need to create your own set of outdoor stairs.

Here’s another amazing solution for a steeply graded yard. Use boulders to act as a retaining wall to allow for usable outdoor space.

Check out how they were able to squeeze a large patio into what used to be a tiny space.

Okay so you’ve got 100 ideas on how to use rocks in your home’s landscaping, so now you need to know how to do a little repair should the need arise.

This may come up if you have rock walls or water features that are experiencing a little bit of slippage.

Check out this post to learn how to repair stones that are coming out of place. 

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Rock Garden Ideas That Will Out Rock Every Yard In Your Neighborhood

By Stefan Gheorghe | Published on Reviewed by Lance Crayon

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Rock garden is many things. More than a landscape feature, the garden-style offers an alternative to lawn care. Let’s face it, not everyone gets excited about mowing or watering grass.

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Your rock garden design can feature smooth pebbles, small trees, weathered stone, and sandy soil. If you want to create a natural world in your outdoor space, then there’s nothing wrong with that. However, if you’re not sure where to begin or what to do, leave it to us to get you started. 

If you want to add depth to your backyard space, start a rock garden. Rocks can transform your outdoor landscape in ways that will blow your mind. Take a break from pushing a lawnmower in the summer heat, and discover the beauty of caring for a Zen garden, for example.

Amazing Rock Garden Ideas For Your Outdoor Space

Let’s jump right in and look at different rock garden designs that will turn your outdoor landscape from boring to exciting.

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One proverbial natural resource in every backyard is rock. With the number of rock varieties, you won’t have a problem finding a style to create an ideal garden design. In this example, large stones surround a small tree and a tiny grass plot.  

Rock Garden Design

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This is an example of how you can use different rock design themes in one backyard setting.

Stepping Stones

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Zen backyard designs come in many shapes and sizes. Large slabs of rock make a perfect outdoor “staircase” for sloping backyards. For a more informal look, vary the sizes and shapes of the rock steps.

Weathered Stones

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Mix and match sizes and colors of rocks on the same pathway to create visual interest and landscaping depth. Geography permitting, a surrounding mismatched pathway with various green foliage will increase the outdoor beauty.

DIY Rock Garden

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Every rock garden is a DIY project. It’s for this reason that rock gardens are a wonderful outdoor endeavor. In this an example of landscaping with grasses and rocks. A river rock design offers a “triple threat” in this backyard setting, designating an intuitive walkway and juxtaposing it against the wooden fence and green lawn.

Enchanted Rock Garden

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Various sizes, shapes, and colors of rock combine to create a soothing yet energetic waterfall for a Zen backyard.

Succulent Rock Garden

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The great thing about a rock garden is that you don’t need a massive amount of water. If you live in a dry area or next to a desert, then use succulents to create visual interest.

Green cactus landscaping is a delight. Notice how bluestone passes through a “river” of smaller rocks for a delightfully scenic and water-friendly backyard.

Contemporary Rock Garden

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Rock walkways and patios are durable and easy to maintain, plus they add so much to the natural beauty of a backyard. Lawn pebbles border the seating area, creating a space outline.  

Boulder Retaining Wall

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Who said a rock garden had to be horizontal? Check out this vertical layout which also functions as a wall for your backyard space. A simple but quite beautiful large-rock retaining wall has timeless appeal. Perennials soften the transition from rock wall to lawn.

Decorative Lawn Rocks

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Plant a rock garden. With or without a water feature, rock gardens are a lovely way to transform that useless, troublesome backyard corner into a focal point.

Sculpted Lava Rock Garden

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Mortared rock walls combine with tinted and stamped concrete to create a textured, unique, and beautiful backyard feature. A lovely accentuation for xeriscaping.

Smooth Pebbles

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Pea gravel backyard designs are endless. You can also go with different colored smooth pebbles to make patterns and shapes in your garden. Incorporate the look and feel of water in the desert by laying light and dark rocks in a flowing two-tone formation.

Blue Rocks

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Nobody knows what the best rocks for backyard spaces are, so do choose whatever you want. Check out the blue-toned rocks and see how they enhance the green of your backyard space.

With a miniature small rock garden, foliage can be planted into the rockway itself, creating a more seamless space.

Shabby Chic Rock Garden

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The shabby chic aesthetic can be applied to your outdoor spaces just as easily as your indoor spaces. Give backyard visitors an inherent and obvious place to walk by laying a flagstone walkway.

Bright flowers alongside the pathway make for a pleasant passageway time and time again.

Formal Rock Decor

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This Asian-inspired rock wall serves as a gorgeous backdrop for lighted plants but in no way takes the backstage in aesthetics.

Backyard Sanctuary

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Set your landscaping alongside rock dividers. If you can include mature trees to arch overhead, then give that a shot.

Structured Environment

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An outdoor rock layout doesn’t have to invoke chaos. If you want order, clean lines, and structure, then you’re free to design as such. For a low-maintenance twist on backyard plant life, embrace the concept of growing things in pots that sit atop a nice easy-to-manage rock bed. 

Fire Pit Setting

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If you live in an environment where it’s a little chilly at night, and you want to enjoy sitting outside, a backyard stone fire pit would be right for you. Nothing lengthens the relaxation of a summer’s evening like a well-suited backyard fire pit. Rock is an easy, functional, and aesthetic choice for a firepit.

Multi-level Backyard

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Your backyard terrain will define the shape of your rock garden. Use rocks as small retaining walls for beautiful backyard terraces. This provides a huge visual bang for your acreage buck.

Ambient Stone Garden

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Add a deeper dimension to your backyard setting with ambient lighting. sometimes, the best backyard isn’t a “yard” at all, but rather a strategically designed and landscaped mecca,with seamless rock walkways, sitting areas,  plant life, and subtle privacy. You may find this difficult to believe, but some people prefer a rock garden that isn’t low maintenance. 

Color Splashes

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When you design your outdoor area, feel free to use complementary colors. Plant perennials in the nooks and crannies of your rock wall and watch them come to life each spring and summer. 

The Right Plants

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You can’t go wrong with plants. After all, watering plants is easier than cutting grass with a lawnmower. Choose the right plants, for example, alpine plants would add a touch of class.

Get creative with rocks as flower bed borders. Depending on the size of the rocks, you can double or triple them up for a fluid, eye-catching edge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

How To Kill Weeds In A Rock Garden?

Glyphosate is the most effective weed killer for rock gardens. When building a rock garden, treat the area where you will lay your fabric with glyphosate. Wait for two weeks and spray the area with glyphosate. 

Make sure you use woven fabric that has a 20 to 25-year warranty. 

Note: Glyphosate is a strong chemical. Read the warning label and follow the instructions carefully. 

What To Spray On Rocks To Prevent Weeds?

If you already have a rock garden, and it has a weed problem, you spray the weeds directly with white vinegar. Be careful not to use too much as it could destroy your grass or nearby plants. 

What Is The Point Of A Rock Garden?

A rock garden serves a variety of purposes ranging from functional to meditative. Those who dislike lawn care, see it as an erstwhile substitute. Rock gardens also add texture and visual interest to one-dimensional landscapes. 

What Do You Put Under Landscape Rocks?

One of two things is used to go under landscape rocks, either spun landscape fabric or non woven landscape fabric. However, depending on the rocks, you might need to use thick woven fabric. The four main types of landscape fabrics are woven, non woven, spun, and perforated.

Rock Garden Conclusion

A rock garden is a healthy respite from the doldrums associated with traditional lawn care. Maintaining a healthy green lawn is an American pastime, but one that should change. When you think about it, lawn maintenance is a waste of water, among many other things. 

A rock garden does require some maintenance, but not nearly as much as standard green lawn. For example, Japanese rock gardens would be more beneficial to local ecosystems than grass lawns. If you wanted something similar, you could install a Zen garden. The experience would help you meditate while maintaining the rocks and sand in your garden.

You can get creative with rock garden design. Pair smaller rocks with small trees for visual interest. With plants like lamb’s ear and creeping phlox, you could turn a small space into a backyard focal point.  

In recent years, we have improved about 500 Moscow streets and squares — Sergey Sobyanin / City News / Moscow Website

Construction and reconstruction and create modern comfortable parks.

In recent years, about 500 streets and squares have been improved in the capital. Sergei Sobyanin spoke about this in an interview with the Vechernyaya Moskva newspaper.

“A few years ago I was especially proud of Myasnitskaya. Simply because he remembered well how “unfortunate” this street used to be and how beautiful it has become now. And this year, our favorite routes are those that we are improving right now: Leninsky Prospekt, Volokolamsk Highway, Tverskaya and Arbat lanes. The work is nearing completion. In my opinion, it turns out quite well,” said the Mayor of Moscow.

Many landscaping projects are being implemented as part of the city's My District program.

“The My Neighborhood program does not have an exact end date. Rather, it is a constant process of improving the quality of life in every district of Moscow. After problems are solved, for example, with a lack of shops near the house or landscaping of the yard, the construction of a sports complex, a kindergarten or a road is required. Our task is to listen to people, understand their needs and include relevant projects in the plans for the next years,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

The "My District" program covers all districts of the capital. More details can be found on the project page on mos.ru.

The city also did a great job at VDNKh, where most of the historical monuments were put in order, and a number of new unique objects were created, including a dolphinarium and the largest Ferris wheel in Europe.

“But I would not say that everything, the result has been achieved. VDNKh is a huge world that should surprise its guests with something new and unusual every day. So that Muscovites and guests of the capital want to return to VDNKh again and again,” said the Mayor of Moscow.

In eight years, specialists have restored the arch of the main entrance with the sculptural composition "Tractor Driver and Collective Farm Girl", the arch of the northern entrance, a number of pavilions, the fountains "Golden Ear", "Stone Flower" and other objects. The total area of ​​the reconstructed space exceeds 55,000 square meters. This year, work was completed in pavilions No. 31 "Geology" (now there is an exhibition "12 signs of the living" of the State Biological Museum named after K.A. Timiryazev) and No. 30 "Microbiological Industry", where the Center for Modern Biotechnology "Museum" Biotech ”, and the restored building of pavilion No. 5 “Physics” houses the Museum of Moscow City Economy.

Parks and embankments are also being improved in the capital. One of the most significant projects is Zaryadye Park, which has already become one of the city's hallmarks.

“Imagine that in the place of Zaryadye there is a wasteland behind a high fence or another office and business complex. Without a floating bridge over the Moscow River, a park and a concert hall in Zaryadye, it is already difficult to imagine Moscow,” the Mayor of Moscow emphasized.

Works at Zaryadye were completed in 2017. Here, a large-scale reconstruction of the Moskvoretskaya embankment was carried out, an underground passage to the park area and descents to the water were equipped. For Muscovites and guests of the city, there are cafes and a pier for river buses, and an unusual view of the Kremlin, Krymsky Bridge and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior opens from the unique floating bridge.

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Comprehensive improvement of graves and burial places in Minsk

In early spring, it is time to visit the burial places of our relatives and friends. Melting snow, subsidence of soil can violate the integrity of the burial place, deform the fence, lead to tarnishing or destruction of monuments and monuments. In order to honor the memory of the deceased in the most comfortable conditions, you need to put the burial place in order, and the composition of the monument in an aesthetically more finished form, the Kamenny Dvor group of companies offers a comprehensive arrangement of graves and burial sites.

After all, sometimes for reasons beyond our control (living in another city, abroad, high transport costs, etc.), we do not always have enough time to constantly care for the grave of relatives and friends.

To avoid such a situation, we will help to improve the place of burial so that even after years it is in order, despite irregular care.

Our services for the improvement of graves and burial sites

The company "Kamenny Dvor" provides the following types of services, which can be provided both in a complex and separately:

For the improvement of the adjacent territory, we offer the use of colored crushed granite, artificial turf, sand and gravel.


Examples of complex improvement of burial sites:


Landscaping with tiling and curbing

As part of the improvement in the space around the flower beds, paving, ordinary or granite tiles are laid.

BENEFITS:

To maintain a perfectly flat plane, tiles can be laid on foundation , which is a cement screed.

At the request of the customer, pavement curbs are installed (this type of service is used only if there is no slope of the site at the burial site).

Improvement of graves with backfilling with colored granite rubble

The use of multi-colored gravel gives a special flavor to landscape compositions, footpaths, marking their boundaries.

Crushed stone is suitable for decorating flower beds, as well as the territories of memorial complexes. The color scheme of granite crushed stone is as close as possible to natural natural colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, blue, purple, black.

Color fastness tests have shown that colored gravel does not lose its brightness over several seasons.

Benefits of using colored crushed granite:

Artificial turf landscaping An alternative way to improve the burial site is to use artificial turf.

Learn more