Types of Small Landscape Rock

Rock Mulch

• As an alternative to wood mulch, rock mulch provides a permanent mulch bed that won't drain away in the rain or blow away in high wind. Rock mulch stones are usually small rocks or pebbles and do not require annual replacement. Rock mulch can be used in rock gardens or herb gardens, but are not suited for perennial flowerbeds. Rock mulch absorbs a lot of heat and can increase water loss in or damage plants that do not tolerate prolonged heat.

River Rock

• River rocks are so-named because they come from former river beds or other running-water environments where the erosion action of the water has caused the stones to become rounded and smooth. River rocks come in a variety of sizes, and the smaller stones and gravel can make for good ground cover. River rocks combined with landscaping fabric can protect plant roots and conserve moisture, especially in low-rain or arid climates.

Beach Pebbles

• Like river rocks, beach pebbles are smaller, rounded stones. These come from coastal areas where wave action has eroded rough stone into smoothed shapes. Well-suited as ground cover, these stones can be used in mosaics and landscaping features like dry river beds. They can also be used as wide-area ground cover in place of grass or turf.