Complete guide: Landscaping with boulders (Part I)
Large rocks often provide little excitement. However, when it comes to landscaping, boulders may be quite adaptable. Boulders are a low-maintenance or fully maintenance-free option to add color and character to your landscape. Because rocks come in so many varied sizes and forms, we often employ them in our designs. Usually, you may choose between fieldstone, limestone, or granite (red or black). Each variety has a unique appearance. You may use these wonderful rocks in your yard in a variety of ways, as seen below.
I. Why choosing boulders for your landscaping projects?
So what does having beautiful scenery have to do with a giant rock? So, if that thought ever occurred to you, you're probably approaching boulders from the incorrect perspective. Remember that boulders are materials, much like most other items used in landscaping. To suit your demands, they may be constructed, organized, and personalized. They also have the benefit of being quite distinctive!
Using stones in landscaping has certain advantages, including:
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II. Tips on placing boulders in your projects
1. Go large without fear
At the rock yard, it is simple to assume that a boulder is big enough. When you get it to your property, however, your landscaping may make it seem small. People often underestimate the size required when seeing a boulder outside of the setting of their property, according to our research. As a result, according to numerous designers Rockland talked with, individuals often choose stones that are too tiny for their surroundings. When clients are in our boulder supply yard deciding which boulders they want, one piece of advise we often tell them is, "Don't be afraid to go big." selecting a rock that first looks a little bit too big, but when it is placed within the context of their greater environment, it is often the appropriate size. |
2. Set each boulder down into the dirt (Going Underground)Many errors made by homeowners or contractors include placing a rock on top of the ground and leaving it to float, while in reality, the earth has naturally washed around the boulder. Boulders don't float above the ground in a natural environment; instead, just a small piece of the rock is visible. It's simple to duplicate this effect at home. The size and form of the specific boulder will determine exactly how deeply it should be buried, although boulders should always be positioned a few inches below grade. Dig out enough dirt to bury at least one-third of the stone before laying boulders. This will assist the rock to stay attached and make it seem more natural in its new location. |
3. Use a base of gravel and concrete to keep boulders from settlingIt's crucial to make sure a boulder remains precisely where you set it in several circumstances. This is the case whether they are combined with pavement or a prominent focal point in your environment. In this case, a gravel and concrete base underneath the boulder will keep it in place and prevent it from settling or moving. When attempting to position a boulder in a dramatic way, this may be extremely helpful. |
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4. Color Matters - Use colors to set a mood.
Do you want to emphasize your home's architectural elements or give it a more natural appearance? If you're making a natural scene, you should try to match the boulder's hue to the surroundings. That is how you relate the natural world to the location you are visiting. |
5. Group bouldersUse the boulders in groups of two, three, or even more to create an extremely creative formation. Because a single boulder will seem very out of place, Rockland often advises grouping them in threes. In order to form a boulder grouping, we first lay two boulders extremely close together—possibly almost touching—and then add a third boulder close by. The grouping of stones in odd numbers is one piece of advice. Your rock garden will seem more mysterious if you add three or five boulders to it. Group rocks together because they seldom ever occur by themselves in nature (apart from glacial erratics). For extra interest, you may even combine different rock sizes. Many people discover that after the huge stones are in place, a "flow" appears, and that is when it seems to be easier to add landscaping elements like tiny boulders and gravels. More and more individuals are being motivated to attempt rock landscaping in their front yards by these gorgeous masterpieces. |
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6. The use of boulders to raise artificial materialsAnother piece of advice is to combine natural stones with manufactured pavement materials. Naturally, real stone pavement is preferred, but this is sometimes not a possibility. Boulders may be included along the border of pathways, driveways, or patios that must be constructed with pavers or concrete. The boulders are initially placed, then you pave around them by cutting the pavers to size or modifying them. |
7. Use specialized boulders for a dramatic impact; add texture-based accents or intrigue.To add variation in texture and color to your landscape or garden, you may choose and put solitary rocks with various mineral compositions. Alternately, you may arrange objects according to texture or color to give a space more impact. Your decision may often be influenced by the rock's form. For accents or features in one section of your garden, you could like blocky or angular stones, while for other parts of your yard, you might prefer rolling, water-smoothed pebbles. |
8. To create a dramatic impact, use outdoor lights.The first rule for lighting boulders is to not bother lighting them at night if they are not a focal point during the day. Boulders are excellent objects for landscape lighting to focus on. Try other bulbs to see what works. Different effects will result from a wide-angle deluge vs a tight location. Warmer lighting is often utilized on rocks since it seems more natural, however, this is a matter of personal preference. Uplighting either the boulder itself or any things that may be behind the boulder, such as a wall, thick grass, or a tree, may also provide some really attractive effects. |
9. Let the shape of the boulders and your landscape’s style dictate the arrangementThe boulder should either lay flat or stand erect depending on its form. Take influences from the design of your environment as another technique to decide how the boulders should be grouped. While in a Japanese garden the rocks are utilized to resemble mountains and should protrude upward in accordance with that, in a relaxed environment you don't want them to be unduly dramatic. You should aim to construct a design that harmonizes both styles, keeping in mind that your landscape should help to enhance and support the attractiveness of your house. When choosing whether the side of your boulder should face up or in a certain direction, take into account the design and aesthetic of your house and land. Allow your boulder to stand up, rest flat, or dramatically protrude upward at an oblique angle depending on its form and size. Take visual cues from your home's design and look as well as your garden or landscape, and then position your boulders properly. While you're about it, switch up the boulders' directional arrangement to provide some diversity. Your landscape or garden may seem artificial or purposeful if all of your rocks are positioned vertically or horizontally. In nature, things don't appear like this. Leaning one against another or laying some flat is OK. The mixture makes it seem more natural. |
10. Other tips
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Where in Edmonton and st.Albert Can I Find The Best Boulders Supply Company?
Are you trying to find the top Edmonton boulders supplies? In Edmonton and St. Albert, Rockland is the most favoured supplier of landscaping products. For your landscaping projects, we specialize in offering the finest landscape supplies. We have gone a long way to comprehend your demands as a nearly 20-year-old, award-winning landscape supplier. Call Rockland immediately at 780-239-7625 or message us at sales@rocklandsupllies.com to learn more.
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