Stone has long been used as a hard landscaping material in garden design, really coming to the fore during Victorian times as rockeries and alpine plant displays.
While the concept of a rock garden may seem somewhat dated at first, there are ways in which the look can be adapted to suit contemporary garden makeovers.
Here’s how!
1. Design around a hot tub
Wellness gardens are hugely popular at the moment – and with good reason. If you’re keen to have an area dedicated to saunas and hot tubs in the garden, consider using rocks to hide the unsightly surrounds of the tub, blending it in beautifully with the natural environment.
2. Create a dry riverbed
Focal points and visual features are essential for bringing your garden to life – and rocks and boulders can be used to excellent effect in this regard. What about using stones to create a dry riverbed running through the garden, drawing the eye through the space?
The added benefit of this, of course, is that it will also serve as a sustainable urban drainage channel, reducing flood risks by helping slow the flow of water so it can soak back into the ground more effectively. High-end aesthetics and practicality of purpose, all in one!
3. Introduce a drop stone
Don’t be afraid to go big with your boulder choice! In fact, sometimes, the bigger the better! Using very large boulders as drop stones, positioned at key visual lines of sight such as the back of a deep border, can really draw the eye around the garden.
4. Alternative bench options
Choose your rocks wisely and you can have them double up as seating zones. Look out for flat-topped rocks and boulders, then position them strategically throughout the garden so you have somewhere to rest while enjoying the great outdoors.