What Are Some Unique Ideas for Incorporating Boulders in Rock Landscaping?
Boulders serve as impactful focal points in rock landscaping ideas. Consider creating a visually stunning display by grouping different-sized boulders together. Artfully nestle them among plants to create natural-looking formations. Utilize boulders as barriers or create unique seating areas by integrating them as functional elements. Enhance the overall landscape by combining boulders with other textured elements like gravel or pebbles for a harmonious look.
What You Should Know about Landscaping with Boulders
1. What Boulders to Use?
Naturally, not any rock you’ll stumble upon is going to fit your space perfectly. However, it would be best to use a rock either from your property or from a place that is close to your home. Otherwise, if you choose to carry it (or them) from a long distance, it can become quite expensive. Look at the type and the color of the rocks that appear naturally in your area. Choose a boulder that resembles them to make it look more natural. Another thing to pay attention to is the size. The boulder should always be proportional to the location. For example, if you have a small yard, you shouldn’t go for a very large stone. At the same time, if you have a giant property, don’t place small rocks in the center. Lay the rocks in groups if you want them to look natural.2. Boulder Shapes
Obviously, there are plenty of boulder shapes, which makes a choice even harder. How can you know which one to use? Here you have a quick rundown of the most common boulder shapes:- Tall vertical – this shape is taller than wider. Usually, it’s placed on the taller half (for a waterfall, for instance), or set as the central stone in a complex composition. You can think of it as the hinge of a composition on which the other stones rely.
- Low vertical – this is wider rather than tall. It resembles the first shape but considering its height, it’s much wider. The massive stone often accompanies tall vertical boulders, so don’t place it like a monolith.
- Arching – The third option is a rather odd shape that overhangs either on the right or on the left. People also call it a thrusting stone. It gets slightly lower than the low vertical type of boulder and it brings stability and strength to the essential points of your garden. Place it at an angle if you want to have a prominent arch.
- Flat – Perhaps the simplest option, a flat boulder measures less than a foot tall, but it has no limits on width and length. It has a flat top surface and most of the time, people use it in front of a composition, as a bridge, next to a body of water, or as walks and stepping stones.
- Reclining – The last boulder shape looks like a reclining animal. Its head is on one end, being narrower and higher than the hips found at the other end. It brings plenty of strength to your space, which is why people call it an ox stone. The diagonal top line can be used to draw the eye to other element(s) found nearby in the garden, just like a pointer.