Types of Decorative Gravel

Granite Gravel

• Decomposed granite gravel is reddish-brown in color, high in trace minerals, organic and environmentally friendly. Granite gravel provides a decorative appearance to driveways, patios, arenas, dog runs, trails, playgrounds, flower beds and cactus gardens. Its high drainage capabilities prevent standing water and the formation of mud.

River Pebbles

• Naturally produced, small river rocks, or pebbles, have a limestone base, come in earth tones and nearly always have rounded edges. This decorative gravel resides in many flower beds and walkways in landscaped yards. Colors of river pebbles often include shades of pink, green and orange in addition to the typical grays and browns.

Pea Gravel

• Pea gravel, usually sandy in color and easy to walk on with bare feet, is comprised of small, smooth stones. This type of gravel looks great in gardens, playground areas and as ground cover in landscaped areas. Some people find pea gravel suitable for paths and around garden ponds. Pea gravel is a mixture of various colors, ranging from white to black with many shades of brown and gray mixed throughout.

Crushed Aggregate

• The term aggregate defines a broad category of coarse gravel and crushed stone. Aggregate serves to add strength to composite materials like concrete and asphalt. It is a suitable substance for drainage areas and a base material under foundations and roads. Aggregates are also used for decorative purposes. Fine, gravel-like aggregate has a tendency to pack and become firm when walked on, making this a popular choice for pathways. Crushed aggregate comes in a variety of colors, a popular choice being crimson red, providing contrast in landscaping color.

Slate Chips

• The main purpose for slate chips in landscaping is to provide a professional looking topside material and weed barrier that allows for adequate drainage. Yard landscaping often contains gray to black slate chips around flower beds and pots and along garden paths. Slate chips add a look of class to any landscaping design.

Crushed Lava Rock

• Large, light-weight lava rocks, crushed to form gravel, come in typical colors of red and black. Red crushed lava rock makes a common soil covering for Bonsai trees and shrubs. Its natural substances provide nutrients to the soil and helps soil retain moisture. Lava rock efficiently retains heat, and walking on it with bare feet can be painful in direct sunlight.

Mined Quartzite

• Quartzite deposits populate mountaintops, ridges, plateaus and valleys across northwestern regions of the United States. Typically green, tan, clear or cream in color, quartzite makes a beautiful and inexpensive landscaping material. In addition to the vast number of uses for quartzite, it is often used alone or combined with other gravels as a decorative material for driveways, pathways and drainage applications.