Backyard Landscaping Using Various Stone

Walkways

• Flagstone, slate, bluestone and sandstone are a few examples of the many types of stone you can use for a walkway. Paving stones are split to form a flat surface and either cut into uniform shapes such as rectangles or left as snapped pieces for a rustic look. Lay stone over a base of aggregate and sand and prepare to adjust the amount of sand, as the thickness of stones can vary. Lay stones to fit together in a solid path with an intricate pattern or space them apart as stepping stones. Use pea gravel or river rocks for a simple textured surface that's easy to install and maintain.

Edging

• Edging a garden or walkway with stone prevents grass from encroaching on the surface and visually ties together the walkway with other landscape features. Creating a wider border of colorful river rocks also blocks weeds and improves drainage by providing a water-penetrable surface. Install edging with a gravel foundation to prevent the stones from sinking in the ground. Use larger stones such as field stones or flagstones to add depth and definition. The warm hues of sandstone enhance the colors of a flower garden, while the green and purple hues of river rocks complement a vibrant, lush lawn.

Focal Point

• If you don't have a lot of space to work with, use a large boulder to create a simple, elegant focal point. Place the boulder in a flower bed or rock garden to offer a quiet spot to rest. Transporting a boulder can be a challenge. One alternative is to dry-stack large flat stones for a simple rock sculpture. Use flagstones or field stones for the sculpture and lay a border of pea gravel around the stones to frame it. Embed the largest base stones partly in the ground. Avoid stacking taller than 3 feet to ensure stability.

Raised Flower Beds

• Building raised flower beds solves a number of landscaping issue, such as gardening on land with poor drainage and soil. Dry-stack medium-sized limestone, field stone or blue stone to create walls about 2 feet tall. Line the interior of the walls with landscape fabric and fill the bed with native topsoil and compost. The crevices between the stones will allow excess water to drain while the fabric will retain soil.