8 Types of Decorative Landscaping Rocks & How to Use Them

If you’re new to the landscape world, you might not be aware there’s a consistent, never-ending debate that homeowners and landscape professionals have been having for years: decorative landscaping rocks or mulch?

While there are plenty of strong opinions on either side, we believe there’s a time and a place for both rocks and mulch in a thoughtful Florida landscape. It all depends on your goals, your outdoor space, your soil, and how you want your landscape to look and feel over time.

We’re so pro-rock-and-mulch that we believe both can have a place in a well-designed Tampa Bay landscape. But today, right here and right now, we’re talkin’ decorative landscaping rocks and stones.

So, if you’ve ever been curious about different types of landscaping rocks, adding rocks to your landscape, or finding inspiration for a more polished, low-maintenance outdoor space, keep reading!

What Are Decorative Landscaping Rocks?  (& How They Can Benefit Your Landscape)

It’s important to make a quick distinction here before we dive into the whole landscaping rock debate—when we say decorative landscaping rocks, we’re not (usually) talking about tiny little pebbles that are going to mess up your soil, annoy you, get stuck in your shoes, and make your landscaping life more complicated.

Decorative landscaping rocks or decorative landscaping stones are a natural type of rock that can be used as groundcover, a substitute for mulch, or for adding a little decoration and texture to your landscape.

Rocks can be an exceptional choice for any landscape for a lot of reasons. For example:

• Not only are decorative rocks great for helping suppress weeds, they’re also wind-resistant, which can be a major benefit for erosion-prone areas if your Tampa Bay home gets plenty of coastal breeze.
  
  
• Rocks are fireproof! There are no flammable issues you need to worry about here.
  
  
• Rocks are low maintenance—think about it, they’re rocks. They don’t decompose, they don’t mold, they don’t rot—they’re just sitting there, doing their job, never causing you any issues. You might need to give them a good spray or clean every now and again, but past that, there’s not much you need to worry about.
  
  
• Large rocks can also be useful for small retaining areas. In other words, they can help manage slopes, define planting beds, keep plants from spilling into walkways, and create interesting textures and patterns in your landscape.

8 Decorative Landscaping Rocks: Our Favorite Types

Crushed Shell

Not super interested in the “rock” look but still aren’t crazy about mulch? We don’t blame you. But guess what—there are plenty of alternative options. And none are as perfect for a Florida landscape as crushed shell.

The best part? Shells are super versatile. You can use them for walkways, garden paths, ground cover, edging, accent areas, and more! Shells are a great, affordable option that can add a little coastal, tropical flair to your landscape.

Cedar Bark Stone

Another high-end option, cedar bark stone is kind of the best of both worlds. While it looks like wood or bark, it’s actually a rare stone.

This rock makes a great groundcover and is typically used as a decorative touch added around plants. This high-end stone rarely needs replenishing and is incredibly low maintenance.

Granite Rock

Black and charcoal with traces of white, granite rocks can add a flair of texture and a touch of drama to your landscape! Granite rock is an affordable, low-maintenance, gorgeous addition to any landscape—especially when that granite is sealed and color enhanced to give off a glowing, black sheen.

Lava Rock

Lava rock is considered a higher-end, premium type of landscaping rock. But, while the price might be a little on the higher side, the benefits certainly pay for themselves. Lava rock is a porous, light rock that’s easy to transport and even easier to spread (so it’s a great DIY project).

Not only is lava rock beautiful (it comes in black, red, and more), it’s also shown to be more porous than other types of rock, meaning it can retain and regulate moisture better than other types of rock (and especially mulch).

River Rock

Multi-colored and smooth, river rock is reminiscent of those beautiful stones you’d pick up in your youth at the bottom of a riverbed to skip across the water. These affordable, beautiful stones will add accent and sophistication to any landscape.

Lime Rock

Lime rock is a popular choice for a lot of folks looking to use rocks as part of their landscape. Why? Because it’s beautiful, it’s interesting, and it’s exceptionally affordable. Lime rock is great for garden walls, shore lining, and decorative erosion control.

Beach Pebbles

There are so, so many types of beach pebble varieties out there—and we’re here for all of them.

From Red Mexican Beach Pebbles to White Mayan Sea Pebbles to Mixed Color Ocean Pebbles, and beyond (you can even use translucent pebbles!), there are so many gorgeous types of beach pebbles on the market that can add both color and texture to your landscape.

Polynesian Firelite

This high-end decorative landscape rock is 100 percent as exciting as it sounds. Because this red, black, and tan colored stone is so beautiful and so low maintenance, all it takes is a single application at the appropriate and desired thickness. After that, you’re basically done with maintenance.

Used as groundcover, this can help minimize weed growth, reduce erosion, provide protection and insulation for your plants, and much more. At the end of the day, how you design your landscape is totally up to you. The beautiful thing about rocks is that, no matter what type of outdoor space you have, they’re a low-maintenance way to add texture, structure, and polish.

It doesn’t hurt that they’re non-living groundcover, so they won’t decompose the way organic materials do. That can make them a practical option in the right areas of a Florida landscape.

How Salt & Soil Can Help You Choose the Best Decorative Landscaping Rock

Are you ready to get your rock on? We thought you might be. At Salt & Soil, we help Tampa Bay homeowners choose landscape materials that feel beautiful, practical, and right for the way they want to live outside. From decorative rock accents to refreshed beds, pathways, and planting areas, we can help you create a landscape that feels polished, personal, and easier to enjoy.

If you’re considering decorative rock, refreshed beds, or a more finished look around your Tampa Bay home, reach out to schedule a consultation.

Image Sources: beach pebbles, lime rock, lava rock, granite rock, crushed shells