It is durable, natural, and requires no maintenance.

What may be most impressive is its versatility.

Even within those broad categories, there are different products suited to different needs.

A yard with flowers and various types of landscaping stone.

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It comes from stone quarries.

The stone (commonly granite) passes through a crushing machine.

The end result is an aggregate of small (about 1 inch) stones with an angular shape.

Closeup of bed of crushed stone.

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Dogs can destroy a lawn.

Asa mulchin planting beds, crushed stone works better in some instances than others.

In a sunny area, stone gets hot in the summer.

Closeup of bed of black polished pebbles.

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This heat retention may bother some annuals and perennials.

Trees and shrubs are generally tough enough that they are not bothered.

This puts you in better control as a DIY’er.

Closeup of bed of river rock.

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To create a contrast, mix white marble pebbles with your black polished pebbles.

Moreover, the shine of the polished stones does fade over time, especially when subjected to full sun.

Gathered from river beds, these stones have been rounded and smoothed by nature.

Closeup of small group of lava rocks against white backdrop.

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They come in all sizes, from gravel to boulders.

In fact, they look best in such a mix.

you could order them online from home improvement centers.

A common material used to build stone walkways is flagstone (image).

David Beaulieu

you’ve got the option to address this drainage problem with a dry creek bed.

While red is a popular color, they also come in black.

Choose your color based on your design needs.

Square cobblestone pavers covering a small patch of ground.

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Lava rocks can work well in rock gardens as accents.

If possible, look for a color match with your house or another landscape feature.

Your color selection may even be influenced by the plant material in your rock garden.

Mortarless fieldstone wall with row of burning bushes behind it.

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Lava rocks are also well-suited tofire pits.

that has been quarried and sold in flat slabs.

With its irregular shapes, it’s more interesting to look at than brick or concrete pavers.

Boulders used to create terracing.

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Generally, a mix of colors looks best.

you’re free to buy flagstone at stone yards and through some home improvement centers.

While flagstone is not expensive compared to concrete pavers, the labor involved in installing it is greater.

So install yourself if you’re able to.

Building a flagstone walkway is well within the skill set of the average DIY’er.

A popular use for them is in driveway aprons.

Farmers plowing their fields in rocky country encountered a multitude of stones.

Thestone wallis one of the oldest uses of stone.

Stone walls come in many styles.

The most basic distinction is between mortared and mortarless walls.

But a variety of rocks can also be used.

Flat ones are best for mortarless walls (and also work well in stepping stone paths).

If your fieldstone is rounded, mortar may be necessary to hold the pieces together.

Shape plays no part in the classification: A boulder can be rounded or can have flat sides.

Available at stone yards, you’ll probably need to have boulders delivered to your property.

If you’ve hired landscapers for the installation, they’ll make the necessary arrangements.

Color choices are more subjective.

Unlike many other landscaping rock projects, boulder installation is unsuited to the solo DIY’er.

You will likely have to hire a professional with the equipment and expertise needed to handle such massive objects.