How To Use Stone In The Garden
Posted on Aug 06, 2009 under Best Perennials | 2 Comments
Integrating stone into your landscape design can add depth, texture, seating and even a sculptural element to your garden. Stone has other important functional qualities as well, such as, strength and stability. Stones give a sense of permanence to a garden. As a landscape design element, stones are unlike plants in that they possess wonderful sculptural characteristics. When designing your landscape, consider the use of stone for walls, paths or just as aesthetically pleasing accents within the garden.
Stones are the most sturdy of all garden materials. They’re ideal for creating paths, terraces, accents and garden walls. They’re also useful in the water garden where they can edge a pool or be incorporated into a waterfall design.
Stones found locally in the native landscape will generally work best in your garden. Large stones, which are great for creating focal points in the landscape, should be set in the ground so they’re perceived as though they’re part of the natural landscape. Simply dig a hole about the width of the stone, set the stone and backfill around its base. This will make them seem as if they belong in the garden as they blend in with the surrounding landscape.
Large boulders placed along paths or adjacent to patios are wonderful way too add provide seating in the garden. Stones used in such a way should be set in the ground to ensure stability. Though everyone is different, as a rule of thumb, a comfortable height at which to sit is 18 inches.
Stones in the garden become more prominent during the winter. After the leaves have fallen from the garden plants, ivy covered stone walls become a focal point and provide a garden with structure.
There are many kinds of stones to choose from. The following is a small list and their descriptions.
Large boulders can be used for marking a driveway or for the entryway to a garden. They can also be used as a focal point in the rock garden or water garden. Stone with interesting color, textures or shape are great for specimen stones.
Fieldstone is ideal for garden walls and stepping stones and garden paths. Fieldstone is effective when used as stepping stones through a perennials garden.
Bluestone is wonderful for formal patios and paths. Bluestone is cut to various size squares and rectangles which can be arranged in any combination. The color and texture can vary from stone to stone.
Cobblestones are perfect for edging gardens or for small, informal patios and paths. They’re not, however, suitable for large patios since cobbles have an uneven surface and setting a table level is difficult.
Flagstone is suitable for walks and patios Its irregularly shaped, thin, smooth and available in various colors and sizes.
Look around for stones in the landscape to see which type will work best in your garden. If you can’t find one which suits your needs, most garden centers and nurseries sell garden stone. Stone is extremely durable and when incorporated in your garden design stones will provide your garden with a lifetime of year-round interest.
anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/how-to-use-stone-in-the-garden-94033.html
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August 6th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Does anyone have instructions for making a faux-stone garden box/container? I think it used styrofoam?
I saw this on a DIY gardening segment.. the guy took some styrofoam (?) blocks, carved them out and added paint.. at the end he had something that looked just like mossy aged stone! He used them to make a really beautiful container garden. Does anyone remember seeing this/can give me more information or a link? Thank you so much!
To anyone who was also curious, I found this link on another message board… This is what I was looking for! Thanks!
August 7th, 2009 at 4:37 am
Having been involved in theater for more than 45 years and having art as one of my passions, I’ve made faux "rocks" among other this as set pieces.
Certainly they are water resitant.
If you can’t get large blocks, you can glue multiples together then carve as you wish. The better part of this suggestion, will take some $$$ but well worth it.
Using cheese cloth cover the carved piece, then with a brush apply a product called "Foamcoat" It adds strength and a better surface for paint.
Once it has set, trim any excess or residue from around the base of the piece and pain to suit you, Model your paint job after some "real" rocks, for the best effort to attain realism.
Then after, place them wherever you want.
It might be fun to carry them around, especially if others can see you, and how STRONG you are…smiles.
Steven Wolf
References :
45 plus years as a contractor; theatrical involvement; artist; writer