The use of landscape stone includes, but is not limited to:

• Patio floors/walls- of course the stone must be combined with a mortar to use it for this, but the effect can be phenomenal.
• Paths, including garden stepping stone walkways: this can be natural and rugged, or it can be precise, and use mortar as well. The options for pathways are limitless, and landscape stone is a great way to make a pathway that is sure to catch the eye.
• Walls for a cold frame: stone walls go back for centuries, and can really make any landscape design better.
• Columns to support car ports: while not the traditional use of landscape stone it is a great way to tie the house and other out buildings into the landscaping, and many use the repetitive element of the landscape stone to do so.
• Pergola columns
• Foundations for gazebos and other outbuildings (obtain a building permit)
• Outbuildings made entirely of stone
• Foundations for porches and decks
• Accent pieces for water gardens and, of course, rock gardens
• Stone walls... as mentioned earlier, as a retaining wall, but as a decorative wall to enclose property it is also very useful.
• Borders for flower beds, and other areas

Why is landscape stone such a big deal? Well, you can think of it this way...just as without proper soil, plants will not grow well, without the skillful arrangement of stone and other hardscape components, the most artistic of landscapes would lack a frame to set it off tastefully. Thus, landscape stone is the frame for the masterpiece. It creates the mood or ambiance you look for, and highlights the artful design of your flower beds etc.

What does landscape stone entail? Well, for many, a boulder at a driveway entrance, with their name/address painted on it or chiseled into it is the extent of landscape stone. But the possibilities are limitless. In fact, stone can be used with almost every aspect of landscaping, and is limited only by the time you wish to spend on your hardscape. Or by the money you are willing to pay professionals to do it for you.

Landscape stone can be used by itself, such as to create a border to a flower garden, or it can be combined with mortar to create walkways, patios, paths, retaining walls, etc. Using landscape stone to create a patio is a great idea, whether composed of concrete, stone, or some other hardscape material, patios are a wonderful way to tie the indoors the outdoors. Doing so unites the house and landscape effectively and creates outdoor living spaces. This is a great option for anyone who wants to spend more time in their yard.

Basically you can use landscape stone for a variety of designs, as illustrated above. How you choose to utilize landscape stone in your landscape design plan is up to you. However, for many it is a great way to enhance the plants and features you have, and to cut back on the number of needed (water consuming, weeding needing, and all too often, high maintenance) plants and other features. For dry climates, landscape stone is a great way to make your landscaping design fall in under budget, and keep it less expensive as stones do not need watering or weeding, etc.