Landscaping with Rocks and Stones: Expert Tips from Barbara Pleasant

Rocks and stones add texture, color, and year-round interest. Garden writer Barbara Pleasant (Garden Stone) shares insights:

Rock vs. Stone

Stone is weathered by water/air near the surface—rounded edges, crevices. Rock is freshly broken from quarry—smooth surfaces. Weathered stone suits moist, shady sites for moss/lichen; rock works for walls and paths.

Where to Use Them

Start with collected stones as accents in beds or containers. Stacked-stone walls (under 18 inches need no concrete) create planting beds with great drainage and backdrops for vines. Stones make eco-friendly pavers (with good prep). Essential for natural water features.

Garden Types & Small Spaces

Unlimited possibilities. Simulate a stone "ruin" for alpine rock gardens. In small yards: planters with stones and succulents, specimen stones to reflect solar lantern light.

Design Approach

Stone unifies the landscape year-round. Envision the scene in 2–3 years—stone dominates in winter. Aim for a look where stone appears to have emerged naturally.

Fun & Creative Uses

Standing limestone boulder as mailbox holder, cairns for fire pits. Keep a collection of movable stones for temporary edging, butterfly basking spots.

Design Rules

Choose one dominant stone type for major projects—mixing colors/textures looks junky. Existing house/deck textures already provide variety.

Evaluating Options

Visit stone yards to see what's affordable, available, and matches existing yard stones.

Building Walls

Use "faced" stone (two flat edges). Limestone, sandstone, and sedimentary rocks break into faced pieces—easy and fun to work with.

Maintenance

In moist sites, freeze-thaw shifts stones—fine-tuning needed. Weed crevices with boiling water. Stone clusters in fern gardens need no upkeep; rock gardens need less weeding than fertile beds.