Using Decorative Landscaping Rocks for Utah Landscape Designs

Landscaping in Utah presents unique opportunities and challenges due to its diverse climate and terrain. Incorporating decorative landscaping rocks can add both aesthetic appeal and functionality to your outdoor spaces. At Kilgore Landscape Center in Salt Lake City, Utah we offer a range of high-quality rocks that are perfect for enhancing your landscape. Here’s a guide to some of our popular options and how they can transform your Utah landscape design.

Popular Rocks at Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center

1. Mexican Beach Cobble (3″ – 5″)

Price: $720 per ton
Minimum Charge: $50.00 per load

Mexican Beach Cobble is a premium choice for those looking to add a touch of sophistication to their landscape. Hand-picked from the beaches of Mexico, these volcanic rocks come in a range of natural colors and feature a smooth, matte finish. Ideal for both wet and dry applications, they work beautifully as ground cover in dry river beds, striking water features, or as a decorative accent for native Utah plants.

Key Features:

• Size: 3″ – 5″
• Approximate Weight per Cubic Yard: 2600 lbs (1.3 tons)
• Common Uses: Decorative ground cover, water features, accents

Installation Tip: Spread at a depth of 3″ minimum over a weed barrier to prevent weed growth. Use a skid steer loader to ease the installation process.

2. Santa Fe Crushed (1 1/2″)

Price: $108.00 per ton
Minimum Charge: $50.00 per load

Santa Fe Crushed stone is a decorative landscaping rock that offers a rich palette of light brown, dark brown, tan, grey, and vibrant shades of orange and purple. This decorative crushed rock is perfect for adding texture and color to your landscape. It’s versatile enough for use as ground cover, in water features, or as an accent in various landscaping applications.

Key Features:

• Size: Approx. 1 1/2″
• Approximate Weight per Cubic Yard: 2600 lbs (1.3 tons)
• Common Uses: Ground cover, water features, RV drives, pathways

Installation Tip: Spread at a depth of 3″ to 4″ over a weed barrier. Ideal for both wet and dry conditions, and effective for controlling vegetation on slopes.

3. California Crush (1 1/2″)

Price: $82 per ton
Minimum Charge: $50.00 per load

Kilgore Landscape Center’s California Crush is a stylish gray crushed rock that adds a modern, sleek look to any Utah backyard landscape. Ideal for ground cover, pathways, and RV drives, this rock is versatile and works well in both wet and dry applications. It also pairs nicely with larger cobble or boulders for a cohesive natural landscape with native Utah plants.

Key Features:

• Size: Approximately 1 1/2″
• Approximate Weight per Cubic Yard: 2600 lbs (1.3 tons)
• Common Uses: Ground cover, water features, RV drives, pathways

Installation Tip: Spread this decorative landscaping rock at a depth of 3″ to 4″ over a weed barrier. Suitable for vegetation control on slopes and various landscaping areas.

4. Travertine Crushed (1 1/2" - 2")

Price: $100 per ton
Minimum Charge: $50.00 per load

Travertine Crushed stone offers a refined and elegant option for landscaping. With sizes ranging from 1 1/2″ to 2″, this decorative travertine is perfect for ground cover, water features, and as a striking accent. Its natural color variations add depth and character to any Utah landscape design.

Key Features:

• Size: 1 1/2″ – 2″
• Approximate Weight per Cubic Yard: 2600 lbs (1.3 tons)
• Common Uses: Ground cover, water features, accents, park strips, driveways

Installation Tip: Spread at a depth of 3″ to 4″ over a weed barrier for best coverage. Ideal for both wet and dry conditions and effective for controlling vegetation on slopes.

Landscaping rock is a versatile element that can enhance various aspects of outdoor design. Their uses span from functional purposes to purely aesthetic enhancements, depending on the type and size of the rock. Understanding where and how to use these rocks can help you achieve your desired landscape effect. Here’s Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center’s guide to the typical applications of different decorative rocks and how they differ in terms of appearance and function.

How Can I Choose a Decorative Landscaping Rock?

1. Mexican Beach Cobble (3″ – 5″)

Applications:

• Dry River Beds: The smooth, rounded texture of Mexican Beach Cobble makes it ideal for creating natural-looking dry river beds. Its size and shape mimic the look of river stones, adding a realistic touch to your landscape.
• Water Features: This rock is excellent for lining water features such as ponds or streams, providing a natural, elegant appearance.
• Decorative Accents: Use these cobbles as decorative accents in garden beds or around outdoor living spaces to create visual interest.

Differences: Mexican Beach Cobble from Kilgore Landscape Center features a smooth, matte finish and comes in a variety of natural colors. Its larger size and rounded shape make it stand out as a focal point in landscapes. It’s also suitable for both wet and dry applications, adding versatility to its use.

2. Santa Fe Crushed (1 1/2″)

Applications:

• Ground Cover: Santa Fe Crushed stone is perfect for covering large areas as ground cover. Its vibrant mix of colors adds a dynamic look to your landscape.
• Water Features: This rock can be used to add texture and color to water features, blending well with various other materials.
• Pathways and Driveways: Its durability makes it a good choice for creating stable surfaces in pathways and driveways.

Differences: Santa Fe Crushed is a decorative landscaping rock characterized by its mix of light and dark brown, tan, grey, orange, and purple hues. The crushed nature of the rock means it has a more angular texture compared to smoother cobbles, providing a different visual and tactile experience. Its color range allows for a more colorful and vibrant landscape.

3. California Crush (1 1/2″)

Applications:

• Ground Cover: California Crush is an excellent option for ground cover, providing a sleek, uniform look across larger areas.
• Pathways: Its stable and compactable texture makes it ideal for creating pathways and driveways.
• Vegetation Control: It works well on gradual slopes to control erosion and prevent weed growth.

Differences: California Crush is a gray crushed rock that offers a modern and minimalist look. Its uniform size and color create a clean, contemporary appearance. Unlike more colorful options, California Crush provides a subtle, sophisticated aesthetic suitable for various design styles.

4. Travertine Crushed (1 1/2" - 2")

Applications:

• Ground Cover: Travertine Crushed is perfect for use as ground cover, adding a refined look to garden beds and larger areas.
• Water Features: Its natural texture and colors make it a great choice for water features, adding elegance and depth.
• Park Strips and Driveways: It is suitable for high-traffic areas like park strips and driveways due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.

Differences: Travertine Crushed stone features a mix of natural colors and textures, with sizes ranging from 1 1/2″ to 2″. Its appearance can vary slightly due to natural color variations, giving it a unique and sophisticated look. The crushed nature provides a more rugged texture compared to smoother cobbles, making it versatile for both decorative and functional uses.

Conclusion

Decorative landscaping rock serves various purposes, from creating beautiful ground cover and water features to adding structural elements to driveways and pathways. Each type of rock offers unique characteristics that can influence the overall look and functionality of your landscape. By selecting the right rock for your project, you can enhance both the visual appeal and practicality of your outdoor space.

Whether you choose the natural elegance of Mexican Beach Cobble, the vibrant colors of Santa Fe Crushed, the sleek look of California Crush, or the refined texture of Travertine Crushed, each option provides distinct benefits and aesthetic qualities. Explore these options at Kilgore Landscape Center and discover how they can transform your landscape into a stunning outdoor retreat.

Feel free to contact us for more information or to schedule a visit to view our selection in person. Our team is here to help you find the perfect decorative rocks for your landscaping needs.