Rock Landscaping Ideas

The natural look of rock makes it a popular option for landscape features. The variety is size, color and appearance of landscaping rocks allows you to find an option that fits your home's style. The variety of projects using rock in landscaping also adds a customized look to the yard.

A rock garden creates a focal point in the landscape. It typically includes some larger rocks placed in a bed of smaller rocks. Rock gardens are appealing to homeowners because of the maintenance. There are no living elements to the garden so the amount of tending needed for a flower garden is eliminated. The shape, size and location of the rock garden is up to personal preference. Add a rock garden in the corner of the property in either the front or the back. Place a rock garden along a gently sloping area of the property. Any patch of area that you want to make into a focal point or reduce the amount of maintenance in works well for a rock garden.

Rocks also create a rustic garden pathway in the landscape. Use larger rocks as the border for the pathway. Fill in the pathway with smaller river rocks or gravel. In general, the smaller the rocks, the easier it is to walk on the path. Give the path a winding, natural flow so it maintains a natural look and blends well with the rest of the landscaping. Use the rock pathway to lead guests to different garden areas or to a seating area that is away from the home.

Smaller rock works well as ground cover. You can use it under a water spigot on the outside of the home to keep the ground from getting muddy. Use it to cover part of the lawn to reduce the amount of space you need to mow. Add it between flagstones or other natural stones in a backyard patio. River rocks work well because they are smooth and often come in different colors.

Larger, flat rocks work well to create natural stairs on a sloping landscape. Choose rocks that look similar for a unified look. The natural shape and size of the rocks will vary. You'll need to dig out and level an area for each rock in the side of the hill. Larger stairs are best handled by a professional with equipment to lift the rocks which get quite heavy. Encourage growth of plants around the rocks for a natural look.

Rocks are typically used to landscape backyard water features. Rocks are placed around the edge of the water feature to hold and camouflage the liner. Either large rocks or smaller, flat rocks work around the edge of the water feature depending on how you want the finished product to look. A water feature with a waterfall can use rocks to create the waterfall.