Colored Rocks for Landscaping

Basalt and Scoria

• Basalt and scoria are volcanic rocks that are popular in landscapes. Basalt is a dark, fine-grained rock that's usually gray, brown or black. A strong rock, basalt sometimes has a porous texture that resembles that of scoria. Basalt is common in landscape beds and as steppingstones. Dark red, black or gray scoria forms when gases escape from cooling lava, forming a rough texture. Scoria is one of the most-common rock types used as landscaped bed gravel.

Granite and Gneiss

• Gneiss is a metamorphic rock that was originally a rock such as granite. Granite has a combination of light and dark minerals that are roughly equal in size, so the rock looks speckled. As the rock changes to gneiss, the dark minerals squeeze into bands, making the rock look striped. Both of these rocks typically include white, cream and black. Some specimens have pink minerals as well. Granite and gneiss are strong and durable, and popular rocks for landscape beds, boulders and steppingstones.

Limestone and Marble

• Marble rock is the metamorphic form of limestone and dolomite. Limestone and marble rocks come in many colors, such as cream, white, gray, black, pink, brown and yellow. Marble is stronger than limestone, but both are susceptible to acidity in rain water, and particulates that cause them to pit and dissolve over time. Limestone and marble are common rocks for garden statues, pavers, boulders for edging, and bedding pebbles.

Sandstone

• Sandstone is a strong rock made mostly of quartz sand grains. You can find sandstone rocks in cream, brown, black, pink and blue. Some sandstones have a banded appearance due to the presence of iron staining. Sandstone is a common bedding gravel, while large blocks can be unique focal stones in a rock garden. Because sandstone is resistant to the effects of acid rain, it's a popular choice for outdoor patios and as pavers for garden paths.

Slate

• Slate is a popular landscape stone because of its deep-green, red, gray and black coloring. With its fine-grained texture, slate has a smooth appearance that makes it attractive for formal and informal landscapes. The rock splits easily into sheets, making it a good stone for paving outdoor areas and forming stone benches for the garden. Slate is strong and resistant to the effects of acid rain, so it lasts a long time.