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Continue ShoppingHow to Choose The Right Decorative Landscaping Rock for Your Project
Among the many decisions to make, selecting the right decorative landscaping rock can significantly impact the overall aesthetic and functionality of your outdoor space. Whether you're revamping your garden, creating a water feature, or simply adding accents to pathways, the type of landscaping rock you choose matters. With so many options available, you should understand the characteristics and applications of different types of landscaping rocks in Utah. Kilgore Landscape has your back. In this guide, we'll explain many different types of decorative rocks offered by Kilgore Landscape Center at Asphalt Materials Inc, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, to help you make an informed decision for your landscaping project.
10 Best Decorative Landscaping Rocks and Their Features:
Arctic Pebbles, sized between 1/2 inch and 1 inch, offer a stunning blend of purple, pink, and cream colors. These pebbles are incredibly versatile and can serve as an excellent ground cover for your garden. They are ideal for water features and accents and work equally well in both wet and dry landscapes. Pair them with smaller cobble or boulders to create a natural-looking landscape or use them to create aesthetically pleasing dry river beds and park strips.
- Size: 1/2 inch to 1 inch
- Colors: Purple, pink, cream
- Best for: Ground cover, water features, accents
- Pairs well with: Smaller cobble, boulders, flagstone
- Also great for: Dry river beds, park strips
Berry Dazzle is a Plum/Purple crushed igneous rock with quartzite that sparkles brilliantly under the sunlight. With a size of 1 1/2 inches, this decorative landscaping rock adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space. It's perfect for ground cover and pairs beautifully with larger landscaping cobbles.
- Size: 1 1/2 inches
- Colors: Plum/purple
- Composition: Crushed igneous rock with quartzite
- Special feature: Sparkles in sunlight
- Best for: Ground cover
- Matches with: Larger cobble, cooler tones
Desert Rose rocks feature a captivating blend of purple, rose, tan, brown, white, and other earth-toned highlights. Sized at approximately 1 inch, these rocks are not only visually appealing but also functional. They can be used as ground cover, in water features, or as accents, and are particularly effective for vegetation control on gradual slopes and park strips.
- Size: Approximately 1 inch
- Color: Purple/rose base with earth-toned highlights
- Best for: Ground cover, water features, accents
- Additional tips: Effective for vegetation control on slopes, park strips
With its predominantly pink color and subtle hints of whites, creams, and orange shades, Mountain Rose Medium rocks offer a vibrant and sparkling addition to any landscape. Ranging from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches in size, these crushed decorative rocks are perfect for ground cover, water features, and accents. They also work well in both wet and dry landscapes, making them a versatile choice for various applications.
- Size: 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches
- Color: Mostly pink with whites, creams, and orange shades
- Special feature: Sparkles in sunlight
- Best for: Ground cover, water features, accents
- Compliments: contrasting colors, focal points
Rainbow Beach Cobble decorative landscaping rocks are 1 1/2 inches in size and feature striking colors in purples, reds, and greens. These decorative river rocks are ideal for ground cover, water features, and accents, and can be used in both wet and dry landscapes. Pair them with larger cobble or boulders to create visually appealing natural landscapes or use them to embellish dry river beds and park strips.
- Size: 1 1/2 inches
- Color: Purples, reds, greens
- Best for: Ground cover, water features, accents
- Complements: Larger cobble or boulders
Wasatch rocks, sized at 1 1/2 inches, are highly versatile and can be used in both wet and dry applications. Whether you're creating pathways, accents, or landscape features, these rocks perform exceptionally well. They pair seamlessly with other rock sizes and colors, making them ideal for water-wise landscaping projects.
- Size: 1 1/2 inches
- Best for: Stepping stones, paths, accents
- Also good for: Driveways, under concrete
- Complements: Most other rock sizes and colors
White Marble rocks, sized at 3/4 inch and smaller, offer a classic and elegant look to any outdoor space. Whether used as ground cover, in water features, or as accents, these decorative landscaping rocks add a touch of sophistication to your landscaping design. They are particularly effective for vegetation control on gradual slopes and park strips.
- Size: 3/4 inch and smaller
- Appearance: Classic white
- Best for: Ground cover, water features, accents
- Also good for: Vegetation control, gradual slopes, park strips
- Compliments: Smaller cobble or boulders for natural landscapes
Glacier Cobble rocks, sized between 2 and 3 inches, boast striking colors in purples, blues, and grays. These decorative river rocks are perfect for ground cover, water features, and accents, and can be used in both wet and dry landscapes. Pair them with smaller cobble or boulders to create visually appealing natural landscapes or use them to enhance dry river beds and park strips.
- Size: 2 to 3 inches
- Color: Purples, blues, grays
- Best for: Ground cover, water features, accents
- Compliments: Smaller cobble or boulders
Mexican Beach Cobble rocks, sized between 1 and 2 inches, offer a unique touch to any landscaping project. Handpicked from beaches in Mexico, these volcanic beach rocks feature a smooth, matte finish and are perfect for dry river beds, water features, or accents. Pair them with other decorative landscaping rock and install them at a minimum depth of 3 inches for optimal results.
- Size: 1 to 2 inches
- Color: Grey/Blue
- Special Feature: Handpicked from beaches in Mexico
- Best for: Dry river beds, water features, accents
- Tip: Can be rubbed with baby oil for a natural look
- Compliments: Concrete, Xeriscape, Other river cobbles, Gravel
Mystic rocks, sized at 1 1/2 inches, add a touch of mystery and allure to your outdoor space. With their purple color, these rocks work great in both wet and dry applications and can be used for various landscaping projects. Pair them with other rock sizes and colors to create water-wise landscapes that are both visually stunning and environmentally friendly.
- Size: 1 1/2 inches
- Color: Purple
- Best for: Landscaping, window wells
- Also good for: Top dressing material
Why Decorative Landscaping Rocks?
Landscaping rocks serve as versatile and aesthetically pleasing elements in landscaping projects, offering numerous benefits and serving various purposes. Here's why people use colored landscaping rocks and how they enhance outdoor spaces:
1. Aesthetic Appeal:
Decorative rocks for landscaping come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and textures, allowing homeowners and landscapers to customize their outdoor spaces according to their preferences. Whether it's vibrant hues of purples, pinks, and creams or subtle shades of blues and grays, colored decorative rocks add visual interest and depth to gardens, pathways, and water features. The different textures of rocks also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal, creating natural-looking landscapes that enhance the beauty of any outdoor space.
2. Low Maintenance:
One of the main reasons people choose decorative rocks for their landscaping projects is their low-maintenance nature. Unlike traditional grass lawns or flower beds, which require regular watering, mowing, and pruning, decorative rocks require minimal upkeep. They do not need to be watered, fertilized, or trimmed, making them an excellent choice for busy homeowners or those looking to conserve water and reduce maintenance efforts.
3. Weed Suppression:
Decorative landscaping rocks serve as effective weed barriers, preventing unwanted vegetation from growing in gardens, pathways, and other landscaped areas. When installed properly over a weed barrier fabric, rocks create a barrier that inhibits weed growth by blocking sunlight and preventing weed seeds from germinating. This helps to maintain a neat and tidy landscape while reducing the need for herbicides and manual weed removal.
4. Soil Erosion Control:
Water and wind account for approximately 84 percent of degraded and eroded land. In areas prone to soil erosion, decorative rocks can help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion by providing a protective layer that holds the soil in place. Rocks can be strategically placed along slopes, riverbanks, and other erosion-prone areas to mitigate the effects of water runoff and wind erosion. This not only preserves the integrity of the landscape but also protects nearby structures and water sources from sedimentation and pollution.
5. Versatility:
Decorative rocks are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of landscaping projects. Whether it's creating pathways, borders, retaining walls, or water features, landscaping rocks can be incorporated into virtually any landscape design to add texture, contrast, and visual interest. They can also be combined with other landscaping products such as plants, bulk mulch, and pavers to create dynamic and cohesive outdoor spaces.
6. Longevity:
Unlike organic materials such as mulch landscaping products or wood chips, decorative landscaping rock are durable and long-lasting, retaining their color and texture for years to come. They are resistant to fading, rotting, and decomposition, making them a cost-effective and sustainable landscaping option. With proper installation and maintenance, decorative rocks can withstand the elements and continue to enhance the beauty of outdoor spaces for decades.
In summary, decorative rocks for landscaping are loved for their aesthetic appeal, low maintenance, weed suppression, soil erosion control, versatility, and ability to last. Whether used to create visually stunning landscapes, reduce maintenance efforts, or conserve water, decorative and colored landscaping rocks offer numerous benefits and are an essential element in modern landscaping design.
Find Decorative Rocks at Kilgore Landscape Center
Kilgore Landscape Center at Asphalt Materials Inc provides high quality asphalt materials year round, offering what you need of Utah summers & winters. Our Salt Lake Landscape Center specializes in a variety of landscaping products from landscaping rocks, bulk mulch products, landscaping soils, colored landscaping rocks, flagstone, and more for home and commercial projects. Our Recycling Center is a disposal site for concrete and asphalt. We are located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Selecting the right decorative landscaping rock involves considering factors such as size, color, texture, and intended use. By understanding the characteristics and applications of different types of rocks, you can make an informed decision that enhances the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space. Whether you're creating a serene garden oasis or a vibrant water feature, Kilgore Landscape Center at Asphalt Materials Inc offers a wide range of high-quality landscaping rocks and even more landscaping materials to suit your needs. With their experience and quality hardscape products, you can transform your outdoor space into a breathtaking landscape that you'll enjoy for years to come.