Creative Ways to Use Boulders in Your Landscaping

Boulders are nature’s building blocks, coming in all shapes and sizes, with variances in color. From small boulders that are easily moved to large boulders that weigh hundreds of pounds, each is unique and can make a wonderful addition to your landscaping design. Here are some creative ways to use boulders in your home’s landscaping to add interest and function.

  • Driveway perimeter. Tired of people accidentally driving on your lawn? Large boulders are the perfect perimeter for your driveway to keep vehicles off your lawn. Unlike a fence that will be damaged if it is hit by a vehicle, boulders will stay intact and withstand a bumper hitting them every so often.
  • Garden edging. Small boulders make a great edging for garden areas and borders for your lawn. You can use similar sized boulders or add in different sizes for depth.
  • Creek beds. The most beautiful drainage option is the dry creek bed that offers a natural option to reduce water on your property. Boulders of various sizes can be used to enhance the effect of a natural creek flowing through your yard.
  • Giant boulders are a great option for patio furniture. They can be used as end tables, planters and even chairs. Boulders are wonderful for seating around the fire pit, with no worries of sparks ruining your natural furniture.

There are many ways to incorporate boulders into your landscaping in interesting and unique ways. Boulder come in many options and can vary in color and will last a lifetime. To find the best options, visit a quality quarry that offers many sizes and shapes of boulders for your use.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
1968 US-41
Pelham, TN 37366
(423) 930-8249

Protect Your Lawn with Decorative Boulders

Do you have a driveway that borders your lawn? Many homes have this configuration and it can be detrimental to the health of the lawn. Vehicles that back onto the lawn or veer off the driveway can dig in tire tracks and make it hard to maintain healthy grass. While a fencing is one option, if it is hit, it will need repair. Another solution? Use decorative boulders to border your driveway to protect your lawn and add an interesting touch to your landscaping.

Using Boulders for Your Driveway Border

If keeping tires off your lawn has been a challenge, boulders can be an excellent deterrent. They are a natural, beautiful addition to your landscaping, but can stand up to abuse. Boulders do not need to be repainted or repaired if someone hits them; the same may not be true for the offending vehicle. It can ensure that those visiting your home stay off your lawn and remain on the driveway, protecting your lawn.

To add a boulder border to your driveway, visit your local landscape supply store that offers natural stone. You want boulders that are at least 18-inches high, large enough that they cannot easily be drove over without hitting a bumper. You will want to place them no farther than five-feet apart so that vehicles cannot drive between them. Measure the length of your driveway and divide by five for the number of boulders needed for each side. Many suppliers offer delivery, making it easy to get these large rocks to your home.

Not only do boulders look lovely and protect your lawn, they require little maintenance and will last a lifetime. Visit your local landscape supplier and explore the options for making your driveway boulder border.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
1968 US-41
Pelham, TN 37366
(423) 930-8249

5 Creative Uses for Boulders in Your Landscape Design

What can you do with a large boulder in your yard? Plenty! Boulders can add depth and dimension to your landscape design in a variety of ways. There is something about natural stone that can add beauty to a yard that commonplace garden objects can’t offer. To give your landscaped yard a unique look, consider these five ideas for using boulders in your landscaping design.

  1. Focal point. Wherever you want to create a focal point, using a boulder can draw the eyes to that area. A giant boulder adorned with potted plants or maybe even flowers planted on the rock is a wonderful focal spot.
  2. Natural furniture. Do you have a fire pit in your backyard? Considering using boulders for natural seating around the fire. They will not burn or melt like many other outdoor chairs and offer a beautiful, natural look when not in use.
  3. Rock garden. Want to conserve water, yet need to fill your garden space? Create a rock garden with a few large boulders to add dimension and interest.
  4. Natural waterfalls. Want to create a beautiful waterfall in your yard? Large boulders can make an excellent base for your natural water feature.
  5. Edging. Boulders can create a natural edge and barrier for your yard or driveway. It is a great way to keep vehicles off your lawn with a beautiful edge of natural stone.

There is a wide variety of sizes, shapes and types of boulders available. Visit your local landscape supplier or quarry to find a large selection of boulders that can add beauty and depth to your landscape design.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
Whitwell, TN 37397
423-930-8249

Boulders as Decoration

Boulders can add a unique beauty to your garden or structure. Before you bring your truck to a quarry there are a few things to keep in mind. 

  • Match Don’t Mix: Try to select boulders that match the landscape of your home or work site. If you select styles that are too different, nothing will look right. Boulders that are similar in size, color and texture will give your area an attractive professional look. It is always best to copy your building masonry when choosing boulders for your landscape.
  • Stay in Your Area: Boulders are heavy, but the real cost comes from hauling them from the source to your home or business site. Therefore, it is best to buy local, which will help keep those delivery costs down.
  • Size Does Matter: If there isn’t enough space for those fancy large boulders, smaller ones may be used. This may take a bit of creativity, but when strategically placed, smaller boulders will be just as eye catching as their larger counterparts and will take up less room.
  • Location: Make sure to hire an experienced contractor who knows how to place your boulders. Often, some arranging and rearranging is necessary before all the boulders land in the right spot. Boulders should be handled with safety in mind. Professionals know how to handle these big rocks, which can prevent mishaps, like a boulder landing on your foot or the roof of your car.
  • Building a Nest: Boulders do not sit on the surface; they are planted in the ground. They can be used with plants and other foliage to give your home or business site a unique look. This is a great technique to use when landscaping around waterfalls and patios. 

Custom designing your home or business site with boulders, offers a wide range of possibilities. Visit your local landscape supplier to learn more about decorating your landscape with boulders.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

Landscaping with Boulders

If you’re designing and landscaping plan and are in search of the perfect element to bring life to water features or visual interest to a garden, natural landscaping boulders may be just the ticket. These versatile stones are ideal for creating natural-looking waterscapes, building dry creek beds for drainage or acting as focal points in a garden. 

Choosing the Right Boulders

While the first thing that comes to mind for many people at the mention of the world “boulder” is an excessively large piece of stone, boulders are actually available in a relatively wide range of sizes. This makes them perfect in a large array of applications, from the construction of man-made ponds to the creation of sculptural elements with natural flair. Smaller boulders, or basket boulders, offer a high degree of design flexibility. Large specimen boulders add a striking degree of visual interest to any design project. Because they are available in different sizes, boulders can be used to create almost any hardscape feature you can imagine. 

Choosing the Right Boulders

While boulders are versatile and useful in so many application, it’s still important to choose the right options for your particular project. Working with a knowledgeable landscape supply and quarry company is the best way to learn more about the different types of boulder available, and all the ways in which they can be used. If you’re still searching for the perfect stone product to bring your landscaping design project together, contact a landscape supply company to learn more about the many uses of boulders in hardscape and garden design.

Posted on behalf of Alliance Stone, Inc.

Boulder Use in Landscaping Design

Creating a dramatic landscaping design that makes an unforgettable impression can be as simple as adding a few well-placed boulders as you plan your new lawn or garden area. Boulders are great ways to draw attention to a particular area of your property when they’re used as accent pieces, and can be an integral part of retaining walls, creek bed linings and other landscaping fixtures. 

A professional landscape designer can help to ensure that your boulder placement is aesthetically pleasing and natural looking, regardless of how you’d like to incorporate them into your lawn or garden. Experienced landscaping designers can also show you how to use boulders to conceal unsightly drain pipes and security cameras or lighting fixtures. Natural stone boulders can also enhance the look of a swimming pool or spa, accentuate specific elements of your design or accent patios and decks. With natural stone boulders that are properly selected and placed, you can even create a faux waterfall that adds an unprecedented level of drama and appeal to your property. 

Because natural stone is such a long-lasting material, the addition of landscaping boulders to your lawn is an investment that will not have to be repeated year after year. Your natural stone landscaping boulders will withstand the elements with strength and grace, enhancing your lawn beautifully without requiring lots of tedious looking after or maintenance. 

When it comes to using boulders in landscape design, you’re limited only by your imagination and the size of your property! Speak with a professional landscaping designer about the best ways to incorporate natural stone boulders in your new design today!

Landscaping With Natural Stone

When you are planning your next outdoor landscaping project, don’t forget to include stone.  Natural or manufactured stone adds a classic, beautiful appearance to any landscape feature.  Many different types of stone are available to fit every landscaping need.

Landscaping stone varies widely throughout the country, but it can be roughly grouped into categories based on its finish and use.  Pavers are natural flat stone, bricks, cobblestones, or manufactured cement or other hard blocks that are used to create driveways, walkways, patios, and other hard, flat outdoor surfaces.

Flagstones are natural flat stones that are harvested from a quarry.  Flagstones are sometimes split to get the desired thickness.  Flagstones can be used as pavers, but their surface is a little more uneven than manufactured pavers.  Also flagstones are normally irregularly shaped but can be worked into more or less regular shapes if needed for your project.  Flagstones are also used in many different landscape features including walls, benches, fireplaces, and ponds.

Fieldstones are natural stones harvested from the topsoil.  They are generally more or less flat, but they not as flat and are much more irregularly shaped than flagstones.  Fieldstone is used a wide variety of outdoor hardscapes including fireplaces, ponds, outdoor grills, benches, walls, and waterfalls.

Boulders are larger, irregularly shape, naturally occurring stones that are harvested like fieldstones.  They have recently become more popular as the trend toward natural landscaping has continued to grow.  Boulders make for a visually dramatic addition to many landscape designs such as waterfalls, ponds, and to add texture and character to flowerbeds and other areas.

No matter what your next landscaping project entails, you will be able to find a stone landscaping product to meet your needs.