Decorative aggregates can be used in many different ways in the landscape gardening world. In this article, we will share some of the ways in which they can be used but first we will look at what decorative aggregates actually are.
Decorative aggregates are different types of quarried stone, crushed down to a certain size and then screened to remove any unwanted size pieces and the final product makes chippings. The most common types of decorative gravel chippings are Limestone gravel, Granite chippings, Flint, Slate and Sandstone.
Decorative gravel comes in many different colours and sizes, ranging from 10mm up to 40mm. Their colours can include grey, white, silver, blue, black, pink and brown, just to name a few.
The most popular material to use when doing the landscaping to a driveway is gravel. The best gravel for driveways is a hard wearing type of stone, something that will take the movement and heavy weight of a vehicle on top of it. The perfect driveway gravel is usually Limestone or Granite, probably the toughest stone of them all, which can be bought in many different colours and sizes.
Another way to use decorative gravel is on pathways. For pathways and less heavyweight traffic areas you can use just about any type of chippings you wish. You can match into the surrounding landscape with neutral colours or make a statement with darker pinks, blues or black chippings, there really are no rules when it comes to you space. You do what you love.
For the people who are limited on funds or are DIYers and not comfortable with laying paving slabs, decorative chippings can make the perfect material for patios too, with less skill involved in laying them. As there is no heavy weight on top, any decorative aggregate will stand the test of time in a patio area.
Laying gravel chippings on borders and beds is a good way to reduce the weed growth around your planting. Again as there is no heavy traffic in these areas, any kind of stone will be fine.
You can also use decorative aggregates to give a splash of colour to your potted plants too. Just plop them on top of the soil. This will also help to reduce the amount of critters getting inside the soil and eating away at your plants delicate root system and stop them from sucking the much needed nutrients from the plant too!
Many landscapers in the trade will also use decorative aggregates in other areas such as visible French drains, soak-aways and run off areas from patios etc. to make the area look nicer and more finished.
Decorative aggregates and stone are also good features for ponds, giving the wildlife a natural place to be. Some decorative aggregates, such as river pebbles, are the best to use for ponds and water features.
There are probably many more uses for decorative aggregates and gravel that I haven’t listed but the article will give you a good idea of where you can use chippings and what type of gravel to use in each area of your landscape garden project.