Landscaping with boulders has become a trendy way to add beauty to your space. One of the advantages of using natural stone boulders in your landscape is that they can be a great way to create naturalized drainage by diverting and channeling water to areas in your yard that drain properly. Aesthetically they can alter the appearance and feel of your space, creating a unique design with beautiful focal points. Drawing inspiration from the various sizes, textures, and colors of boulders is a great way to start your design process.
Where to Start
Because of their size and weight, it’s a good idea to start by having a design plan in mind. It’s best to position the boulders first, prior to adding other landscaping elements. The type of boulder you use, including color and size, depends on the aesthetic you are going for. Boulders come in all shapes and sizes so whatever your design plans are, the perfect boulder is out there for you.
Design Elements
Uses: Boulders can be used for just about any project, including paths or walkways, water features, gardens, retaining walls, and focal points. Scientifically, a boulder is any rock larger than 10 inches in diameter, so the design possibilities are endless.
Size: Depending on your vision and the landscape design you already have in place, a good rule of thumb is to choose a boulder that seems a little too large. This is because smaller boulders can become hidden by their landscape surroundings. Of course, the size of the boulder depends largely on the size of the space you’re working with. If you’re unsure of size and placement, a professional landscape designer could come in handy.
Color: Choosing a color can be one of the most difficult parts, but there is no “right color” when choosing boulders. It simply depends on your vision. Other things to take into consideration include the existing landscape color scheme or even the color palette of your home.
Texture & Shape: There are many options to fuel creativity. Boulders can be smooth, rough, rounded, angular, weathered, mossy, or have lichen or other vegetation on them, adding many creative texture options.
Placement
If you’re going for a natural look, you need to think about how they look in nature. There are usually other boulders (or smaller stones) of different sizes, shapes, and colors nearby. Grouping them together helps with a natural look. The great news is that you can make improvements over time by slowly add more decorative landscaping to the area.
It is important to set your boulders partially in the ground, which protects them against shifting and provides safety.
At Fieldstone Center, we have boulders and landscaping stones to suit your needs. With over 50 years of experience, we are dedicated to supplying homeowners with quality products that are functional, beautiful, and sustainable. Stop by our 24,000 square foot retail stone design center today or contact us by phone or online for more information.