Each year we quarry 1.33 billion metric tons of stone in the United States.

It isn’t just used for construction, a few well-placed boulders can be a real centerpiece of your garden, walkway, or path. But picking the wrong type of boulder, or poor placement, could leave you with an eyesore rather than a centerpiece.

Read on for our guide on how to choose the perfect size and shape and where to put your landscape boulders.

Choosing Your Boulder

In America, there are hundreds of types of stone. It is important to pick a type that will work well both with the style of your house and the landscaping. If you are already using rock or masonry, try to keep the same look when importing boulders.

Choosing a local source where possible will reduce costs. Long-distance hauling can see your costs skyrocket. If natural rock is already present, you shouldn’t bring in contrasting colored boulders. If you do it can fail to look natural and stand out in a disturbing way.

The best looks are where the boulders look natural, resembling what’s there. This helps them blend in seamlessly to the rest of your design.

When choosing your boulder size, you want to take into consideration a few things. First, the size of the space you want it to sit in, and second the total size of the site you have. The perfect sized boulder will show your design off to the best advantage.

Boulder Placement

Weight is often underestimated by homeowners. For this reason, it is important to make sure you hire a contractor with a lot of experience.

When arranging your boulders, it is key to consider natural placements. They are often found in groups of varying shapes and sizes. To get the most natural finish, place your boulder into a group of varying sized ‘helping stones’.

Boulders are planted into the ground, they don’t sit on top of it. Each boulder will have a side that is more attractive.

To get the most out of your boulder, your contractor should take time with the placement. It isn’t easy to move it afterward.

Plants grow on the edges of natural boulder clusters. You can integrate some long-lived perennials or shrubs to give an even more natural feel.

You can also try nesting the boulder. This is a technique of planting the stone so it appears to rise up within the vegetation.

It’s a good way to make stones fit around features like waterfalls or patios where the base might show mortar. It can also disguise gaps or things like irrigation heads and foundations.

Perfect Landscape Boulders

So there you have it. If you follow our tips on how to choose and place your landscape boulders, you’ll have the perfect centerpiece or your garden.

There is a lot to think about, so make sure you keep your mind focused on making sure it fits in, and how it can contribute to your landscape’s look.

If you are looking for the perfect boulders for your landscaping, contact us a Cal Blend Soils Inc. For the last 30 years, we have provided great quality products with our fast and friendly service.