The Stone Yard
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Stones in the garden are a great way to add color and structure, from gravel paths to fountains flowing over river rock. Here are a few of the types and shapes that you might incorporate into your landscape.
Limestone
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Softer limestone will pack into a smooth surface over time, resembling the crushed oyster shells traditionally used for landscaping along the East Coast. It's also fine enough to fill seams in a paver path. Gold dust, from Lang Stone, $77 per ton (16.5 cu. ft.).
Granite
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For splashes of color with durability—on driveways, heavily traveled paths, and in drip edges—use granite, which is so hard it resists crushing or packing. Pink granite, from Jones and Sons; $94 for approx. 1,960 lbs. (20.5 cu. ft.).
Marble
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White marble may be common, but it sparkles brightly in the sun and has another advantage: runoff from it will raise the pH level of acidic soil.
Texas white crushed dolomite marble, from Geo. Schofield Co., $28 per ton (16.5 cu. ft.).
Quartz
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Use quartzite as mulch along a path or around a shrub or tree, where it will shimmer and glow when it catches the sunlight. White silica pebbles, from Geo. Schofield Co., $28 per ton (16.5 cu. ft.).
Pea Gravel
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Line paths or other formal areas with crushed stones and pea gravel less than a 1/2 inch in diameter. Pea gravel, from The Home Depot, $3.50 per ½-cu.-ft. bag.
Brick
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When full-sized pavers are too costly, choose crushed bricks to complement the red clay and brick-sided houses of the South. 1.Brick chips, 3/4-1 3/4 in., from Lang Stone, special order item. 2. Crushed brick, from Jones and Sons; $104 for approx. 1,820 lbs. (21.5 cu. ft.).
Lava Rock
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A deep-colored alternative to harder stone, lava rock is so porous that it's lightweight, providing more coverage per ton. Use leftovers to line the bottom of a gas grill and distribute heat more evenly, or to filter water in areas. 1. Red flowerrock, from Lang Stone, $215 per ton (about 33 to 50 cu. ft.). 2. Lava rock, 3/8-in., from Palmer Coking Coal Co., $48 per ton (180-240 cubic feet).
Flint
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To complement slate and bluestone, use flint to accent paved paths or fill in their seams. Small red flint, from Lang Stone, $147 per ton (about 16.5 cu. ft.).
Large Stones
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In woodsy areas, create a rock garden with large stones—2 inches or larger—piled up or laid in patterns between shade-loving plants, or use these stones to border small ponds or water features. 1. Green seaside pebbles, 2-3 in., from Stoneyard.com, $1,480 per pallet (approx. 2,450 lbs or 20 cu. ft.). 2. Buff Mexican beach pebbles, 3-5 in., from Stoneyard.com, $990 per pallet (approx. 1½ tons or 25 cu. ft.). 3. Red Mexican beach pebbles, 3-5 in., from Stoneyard.com, $990 per pallet (approx. 1½ tons or 25 cu. ft.).
Beach Rocks
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Use colorful rocks collected from beaches as decoration in sculpted landscapes, Japanese gardens, indoor vases, or organic water features. 1. Red Mexican beach pebbles, 1 1/2-2 1/2 in., from Stoneyard.com, $1,480 per pallet (approx. 2,450 lbs or 20 cu. ft.). 2. Black polished pebbles,1 1/2-2 1/2 in., from Stoneyard.com,, $1,480 per pallet (approx. 2,450 lbs or 20 cu. ft.). 3. White polished pebbles, 1 1/2-2 1/2 in., from Stoneyard.com,, $1,480 per pallet (approx. 2,450 lbs or 20 cu. ft.).
Soft Stones
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As path liners, smaller water-smoothed stones massage barefoot walkers.
1. Green seaside pebbles, ¾-1 in., from Stoneyard.com, $1,480 per pallet (approx. 2,450 lbs or 20 cu. ft.).
2. Local Wash, from Lang Stone, $48 per ton (about 16.5 cu. ft.).