The Versatile Beauty of Gravel in Landscape Design

Why Gravel?

Durable yet soft, transitional, versatile, flexible, affordable, excellent drainage, sensuous texture and sound.

Three Design Approaches

• Blur boundaries: Let plants spill onto gravel (e.g., 'Tom Thumb' cotoneaster, Japanese forest grass).
• Combine with larger stones: Mix gravel with rocks for interest and drainage solutions.
• Add a rock border: Define path edges with larger stones; plants eventually tumble over them.

Gravel Basics

• Crushed rock (sharp edges) for high-traffic areas; ⅜ inch is standard.
• River rock (rounded) for low-traffic areas.
• Lay 2–3 inches directly on compacted, weed-free soil (no fabric).
• Rake regularly with round-tine rake.