The first thing you’ll notice when planning a landscape project is that the sheer variety of stone is massive. Stone yards stock everything from fine gravel to multi-ton boulders, and your choice depends entirely on the job at hand. And if you nail down the right material and get the math right before you order, you’ll save yourself a lot of money, not to mention a few trips back to the yard.

Common Landscape Stone Choices & Where They Work Best

River rock works just about anywhere you put it. As its water-themed name suggests, it’s a natural fit for drainage beds and downspouts. But don’t overlook it as a decorative ground cover in planting areas. For the heavy lifting, go with crushed stone. It’s a workhorse for pathways and patio bases because it packs down so tightly.

If you’re planning a walkway or a casual patio, flagstone is the go-to, as it lies flat naturally and gives you plenty of color and thickness options. Then there are boulders. While they’re great for retaining walls, a single, well-placed boulder also acts as a maintenance-free focal point for your yard. 

If you’re curious what your options look like, Patio Supply carries a full selection of stone and hardscape materials. This will give you a chance to see all your options in person before committing to a full order.

What Goes Into Landscape Stone Selection 

Choosing the color of stone for a project can be more in-depth than many homeowners expect. Stone comes in all kinds of colors, ranging from warm earth tones to cool grays, bluestone shades to near-white options.

Your choice will largely come down to the exterior of your home. Warm-toned siding and brick pair well with tan, brown, or rust-colored stone. If you have a cooler exterior, gray or blue-gray is likely the better option.

Color aside, texture is your other major choice. Tumbled stone has a softer and more natural look. Compared to split-face stone, which has sharper lines and more shadow. You can also mix sizes or textures in the same project to add depth, but it always helps to see them in person before committing.

Landscape stone selection is also a math problem, and one with costly implications if you miscalculate. For ground cover and fill projects, you need to figure out the length, width, and depth. A 10-by-10-foot area covered three inches deep takes roughly a cubic yard, give or take, depending on the stone size. For pathways and patios, the calculation will be based on square footage and stone thickness. Our team can help you run the numbers so you order the right amount. 

What to Look for When You Visit Stone Yards 

A good stone yard is one that provides a lot of choices and a lot of support. Being able to choose from a wide range of materials means you can compare options side by side until you’re content, with no need to visit multiple locations. Likewise, a stone yard with knowledgeable staff can answer your questions about what will look right next to your house and what works with your soil base.

Patio Supply serves homeowners across the locations we serve in the greater Dayton area. Our stone yards carry full inventory through the season, and our team can walk you through material options, quantities, and layout. Visit our showroom at 9125 State Route 48 in Dayton, call us at (937) 885-1948, or email office@patio-supply.com. We’re open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.