• Apr 03, 2025

How to Use Decorative Landscaping Rock for Spring Pathways, Borders & Beds

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If you're looking to upgrade your yard, garden, or commercial outdoor space, decorative landscaping rock can make all the difference. Whether you're installing a dry river bed, building a fire pit seating area, or outlining a garden path, Kilgore's Salt Lake landscape center has the materials and advice you need to get it done right. With over 40 years of experience, Kilgore Landscape Center at Asphalt Materials in West Jordan provides homeowners, DIYers, and contractors with high-quality rock, mulch, sand, soil, and more.

Decorative rock isn't just about aesthetics—it serves functional purposes too. It helps prevent erosion, reduces weed growth, and improves drainage. Plus, it’s low-maintenance and perfect for Utah’s dry climate. Let’s explore some of the most popular options available and how to use them.

Flag Stone for Functional Beauty

If you want something aesthetic and durable for walkways, patios, or steps, flag stone is a top choice. This flat, natural stone comes in a variety of colors and textures, giving you plenty of options to match your outdoor design. Whether you're building a classic garden path or a rustic fire pit area, flagstone adds instant character.

Kilgore Landscape Center provides high-quality flagstone that works well in both residential and commercial projects. Unlike poured concrete or manufactured pavers, flagstone retains a natural feel that blends seamlessly into Utah’s native landscape. Lay it in sand or mortar, depending on how permanent and level you want the surface to be.

For added effect, use ground cover plants like creeping thyme or moss between flagstone pieces. This gives a polished look while helping with drainage and erosion control.

Available Flagstone Options:

  • Flagstone Ash Selects

    • Thickness: Approximately 1½″–2″

    • Color: Light grey to silver

    • Description: Large, irregular pieces ideal for patios, waterfalls, sculptures, steps, dry stack walls, and fire pits.

    • Coverage: About 100–120 sq ft per pallet

  • Flagstone Ash Patio 2″

    • Thickness: 2″

    • Color: Light grey to silver

    • Description: Patio-grade flagstone for walkways, benches, walls, and more.

    • Coverage: About 100–120 sq ft per pallet

  • Flagstone Sunrise Patio 1½″

    • Thickness: 1½″

    • Color: Warm, earthy tones

    • Description: Adds a vibrant tone to patios and pathways with a more colorful appearance.

    • Coverage: About 100–120 sq ft per pallet

Using Landscaping Cobbles for Texture and Dimension

If you want to add dimension and contrast to your project, landscaping cobbles are a great material to work with. Cobbles are larger than gravel but smaller than boulders, making them perfect for edging, filler, or even dry creek beds.

Kilgore Landscape Center offers a range of cobbles that come in earthy tones and can be used to complement mulch, flagstone, or decorative gravel.

Available Landscaping Cobbles:

Landscaping cobbles are especially useful in xeriscaping, where low-water landscaping is crucial. They create natural-looking borders that don’t require trimming or watering, and they hold up well against wind and foot traffic. For a clean look, pair cobbles with landscape fabric underneath to help block weed growth.

Colored Landscaping Rocks: Add a Pop of Personality

One way to make your yard stand out is with colored landscaping rocks. These come in a range of tones—from warm reds to vibrant golds and purples—that allow you to customize the mood and look of your space. Kilgore offers several options designed to handle Utah’s climate while adding personality and dimension.

Available Colored Landscaping Rock:

  • Rainbow Beach Cobble 1½" – A multi-color blend with purples, greens, and pinks that stand out in garden beds or water features.

  • Desert Rose 1" – Warm red-toned rock perfect for a southwestern aesthetic or highlighting garden borders.

  • Sunburst 1½" – Golden-orange rock great for bold contrast in fire pits, planters, or modern yard designs.

Use them as ground cover in garden beds, around trees, or in place of mulch for a more durable and long-lasting solution. Colored rocks can also be used to create visual interest in hardscape designs—layering different textures and shades adds depth to patios, walkways, or planter boxes.

Colored landscaping rocks are especially useful in front yard designs where curb appeal matters. They’re low maintenance, resist fading, and can handle the intense Utah sun without breaking down like wood mulch can over time.

Choosing the Right Washed Rock

When it comes to drainage and ground cover, washed rock is a practical and attractive choice. It’s often used for French drains, base layers, or as filler around paving stones. Kilgore offers several washed rock options that combine beauty and utility.

Available Washed Rock:

  • Wasatch 3/4" – Crushed and screened stone with no fines. Ideal for paths, stepping stone borders, and base layers.

  • Wasatch 1½" – A larger version of crushed and washed rock, perfect for drainage, erosion control, or decorative ground cover.

Washed rock refers to stone that has been processed to remove impurities such as dust, clay, and other fine particles and explained further by North Dakota State University. This is typically achieved by crushing the stone to a specific size and then washing it with water to eliminate the fines. The result is a clean, uniformly sized material with jagged edges, making it ideal for applications requiring good drainage and stability, such as in French drains, base layers, and erosion control.

Kilgore's Salt Lake landscape center stocks washed rock in multiple sizes to match your needs—whether you’re working on a drainage project or building a decorative feature in your yard.

Mexican Beach Cobble: Sleek, Ocean-Tumbled Stone

If you want to bring a modern, refined touch to your yard, Mexican beach cobble is the premium choice. Unlike river rock or crushed gravel, this stone is naturally tumbled by ocean waves, creating a smooth and rounded surface with a rich, dark appearance. It’s often used in upscale landscaping projects, especially for water features, contemporary gardens, fire pit surrounds, and decorative pathways.

The University of Texas at Arlington noted that Mexican Beach Pebbles “are sold in the U.S. as sustainably sourced products for landscaping, landscape architecture, and beautification projects as a substitute for mulch along walkways, gardens, and other outdoor areas.” 

Mexican beach cobble is imported from coastal regions of Mexico and known for its consistent shape and texture. It offers a sleek look when dry and becomes glossy and striking when wet, making it a favorite for both residential and commercial designs. 

Available Mexican Beach Cobble Products at Kilgore:

All sizes are available by the ton and sold in bulk at Kilgore's Salt Lake Landscape Center. These stones are carefully sourced and curated to meet the visual and functional needs of high-end outdoor design.

Whether you’re aiming for a minimalist look or adding contrast to brighter landscaping materials, Mexican beach cobble provides a timeless, clean finish that elevates any outdoor space.

Mixing and Matching Decorative Landscaping Rock for Visual Impact

The real power of decorative landscaping rock comes from layering different textures, colors, and sizes to create contrast and balance. You don’t need to commit to just one type of rock—many of the most eye-catching landscapes combine flagstone paths with cobble borders, colored rock accents, and washed gravel for drainage.

To make your project a success:

  • Start by sketching a rough layout of your space

  • Choose 2–3 types of rock that contrast in size and color

  • Use larger stones like flag stone or cobbles as borders or focal points

  • Fill in with finer material like pea gravel or colored landscaping rocks

  • Consider how the rocks will look wet vs dry, especially in areas with irrigation or rain exposure

Kilgore offers samples and expert advice to help you visualize the final result before you order. And if you’re tackling a big job, their bulk delivery options make it simple to get everything you need without multiple trips.

Maintenance Tips for Rock-Based Landscapes

Rock landscapes are much easier to maintain than lawns, but they do still require some upkeep. Here’s how to keep yours looking fresh:

  • Use landscape fabric underneath to minimize weed growth

  • Refresh high-traffic areas with a thin new layer every couple of years

  • Rinse rocks with a hose to remove dust, especially after construction or stormy weather

  • Occasionally pull weeds or treat with a safe herbicide

Whether you’re working on a front yard makeover or a full backyard oasis, landscaping cobbles, washed gravel, and decorative landscaping rock can provide a long-lasting, visually appealing solution.

Kilgore’s Commitment to Quality and Service

With over four decades serving the Wasatch Front, Kilgore’s Salt Lake landscape center has built a strong reputation for reliable service and quality materials. Whether you’re a DIYer upgrading your yard or a contractor managing a commercial project, they have what you need—from flag stone and mulch to soil, U-cart concrete, and bulk gravel.

Their staff is always ready to help you choose the right products for your goals, climate, and budget. And with a convenient location in West Jordan plus a remote gravel pit in Bluffdale, Kilgore makes it easy to access top-notch materials throughout Salt Lake City.

Visit Kilgore Landscape Center at 7961 S 1300 W, West Jordan, UT 84088 or call (801) 561-4231 to get started. Whether you're after mexican beach cobble, other washed rock, or vibrant colored landscaping rocks, Kilgore is your go-to source for outdoor materials in Utah.

 

 

Pro Tip: Ask about Localscapes-friendly products if you're interested in water-efficient, low-maintenance landscaping designs. Kilgore is proud to support Utah-friendly yards with gravel, compost, mulch, and decorative landscaping rock that align with Localscapes principles.

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