How to choose the right garden stones for your project? Stones combine aesthetics with functionality: they frame beds, define paths, stabilise surfaces and improve drainage while suppressing weeds. Below is a quick comparison of stone types plus a practical buying checklist.
Looking for ready‑to‑ship materials and delivery to Ireland / UK / NI? See Decorative stone for the garden or contact us for a quote.
At a glance
- 🪨 Types: natural stone (granite, sandstone, marble), decorative slate (plum slate), aggregates (gravel, grit, river pebbles)
- 🎯 Uses: borders & accents, paths & driveways, beds & mulch, drainage layers
- 💪 Durability: granite/slate are very durable; sandstone needs a bit more care
- 💧 Drainage: washed, uniform grades improve run‑off and reduce puddling
- 🧹 Maintenance: rake 1–2×/year, top up where needed for a fresh look
Popular types of garden stones
- Natural stone — e.g., granite, sandstone, marble. Durable and weather‑resistant; fits many styles. Great for edging, accents and terraces (with a correctly prepared base).
- Decorative stone — e.g., plum slate (deep purple hue), coloured slates, tumbled pebbles. Ideal for beds, infill and colour accents.
- Aggregates — gravel, grit, river pebbles. Work well for paths, driveways, service zones and as fill between plantings.
For background reading on stone types, see this reference1.
Uses & applications
- Create paths and driveways — 8–16 mm or 16–32 mm for footpaths; 16–32 mm and larger for driveways.
- Fill flower beds — reduces evaporation, helps retain moisture and suppress weeds (use a landscape fabric).
- Accents around plants & features — colour/grade contrast improves legibility of the composition.
- Drainage layers — washed, coarser, uniformly graded fractions improve water flow.
Durability, maintenance & size
- Weather resistance — granite and slate are very durable; sandstone may require more frequent care.
- Upkeep — once or twice a year, replenish losses and lightly rake the layer for a refreshed surface.
- Choosing the grade — smaller grades are comfortable on footpaths; larger grades suit driveways and areas prone to wash‑out.
- Stable base — load‑bearing sub‑base + geotextile = fewer ruts and fewer weeds.
Quick guide — which stone where?
| Application | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Footpaths | Gravel 8–16 mm / small pebbles | Comfortable to walk on, good interlock |
| Driveways | Gravel/grit 16–32 mm | Load resistance, drainage |
| Beds & borders | Plum slate / slate / pebbles | Aesthetics, contrast, weed reduction |
| Water zones / drainage | Washed pebbles, coarser grades | Better flow and filtration |
Buying checklist
- Colour & grain that match façade, fencing and planting.
- Grade (fraction) suited to function and site slope.
- Geotextile under the decorative layer (less weeding, less mixing with soil).
- Quantity: loose decor is typically ~70–90 kg/m² at ~4–5 cm thickness (depending on grade).
- Logistics: big‑bags/pallets, site access, and offload (tail‑lift / HIAB where needed).
Our offer — direct import
At ACTITRADE we supply Plum Slate (directly from quarries in the UK and Ireland) and other decorative aggregates. We arrange export packing, consolidation and insured transport to Ireland/UK. → Contact us for pricing and availability.
Footnotes
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external reference ↩