I was creating a collection of images to submit to our landscaper for the Florida house we’re renovating. In addition to basic maintenance and repair, we’re getting ready to convert several of the spaces in the front and rear yards so that they have low maintenance rock or pebble areas filled sporadically with tropical plants, succulents, and cactus.
Hardscapes that include rocks, pebbles, or gravel are a low maintenance approach to landscaping that can be just as beautiful as lawns or flower beds. What keeps these areas attractive with minimal effort is weed block fabric, controlled irrigation, and the occasional raking. This style of landscape will save money on your water bill and is also better for drought prone areas where water conservation is key.
I love the look because it feels very modern, and the rocks or pebbles are a textural contrast to the botanicals. Here are a few landscape design ideas incorporating pale pebbles, rocks, and gravel as a low maintenance yard solution.
Walking Path with Pavers
Landscape Strip + White Planters
Rock Bed with Contrasting Planters
Landscape Strip + Cement Orbs
Raised Planting Bed
Planting Bed Soil Cover
Gravel with Flagstone Pavers
Minimalist Yard with Low Maintenance Plants
Full Patio with Pebbles
Deck Border
via domino
Cactus Bed
Minimalist Courtyard
via aucoot
Patio Surround with Pavers
Wide Walkway
Seating & Dining Patio with Stepping Stones
Firepit Surround
Hi Kate,
What i have found from personal experience regarding gardening landscape with stones (rounder smoother and less sharp) is this:
Pros:
1) They allow good water drainage if rainfall is high.
2) All the benefits you have covered – low maintenance etc
Cons:
1) As these are hard natural material they can get quite hot under daylight. So if surrounding house where they touch the foundation walls – then walls inside (depending on what is used in FL) can get heated up as well. so more energy needed to cool inside of a house.
2) They can be sharp so pets and kids cannot run barefeet ?
3) If planting tropicals then their roots/stem touching the stones can heat up as well.
thanks Anu!
Clicked post too soon. Would like to wish you the best for your new life in Florida! It is a beautiful state with many benefits of course. Take care!
I have no personal experience with stone landscaping, except when my folks retired to Florida. The plant areas were nice, but I disliked the crushed stone paths with flat pavers. It felt weird to have to watch each step from one to the other because if you missed, you got pebbles in your sandals or shoe heels sank in. I recall that my parents complained about picking out dead leaves from the larger areas because you couldn’t really rake them.
All that said, this will be an adventure for you and your family and I will enjoy seeing how you make it your own!
Having lived more than 60years in Florida I love the elegance of pebbled beds and walkways but we limit ours. They are beautiful but not as low maintenance as one might think. Near our pool we have a small area with planters on top that stays clean and white because it’s an open area as well as in pathways with stepping stones. Brown leaves and debris constantly drop and need to be dealt with. the stones will start sinking even when you have a liner underneath needing replenishing. they do get very hot so I wouldn’t have furniture on top because no one likes walking on them. later if you want to plant in that bed it’s hard work. If a neighbor’s cat prefers your yard for its business they are great for preventing that 😉. Been there.
that is such great insight, thank you!