How to choose the right garden stones for your garden? Stones combine aesthetics with functionality: they accent beds, define paths, stabilise surfaces and improve drainage while suppressing weeds. The choice has a big impact on both the look and day-to-day use of the space.
Need materials with delivery to Ireland / UK / NI? See Decorative stone for the garden or contact us for a quote.
At a glance
- 🪨 Types: natural stone (granite, marble, sandstone), decorative slate (plum slate), aggregates (gravel, grit, pebbles)
- 🎨 Colour: neutrals (beige/grey/brown) blend easily; bold hues (e.g. plum slate) work as accents
- 📏 Size/grade: small for footpaths, larger for driveways and steeper areas
- 💧 Drainage: washed, uniform fractions improve run-off and reduce puddling
- 🧹 Maintenance: light rake 1–2×/year; top up thin spots for a fresh look
Popular types & where they fit
- Natural stone — e.g., granite, sandstone, marble. Durable, weather-resistant; suits edging, accents, terraces (with the right base).
- Decorative stone — plum slate (deep purple), coloured slates, tumbled pebbles. Great for beds, infill and colour accents.
- Aggregates — gravel, grit, river pebbles. Best for paths, driveways, service zones, and as fill between plantings.
For background on stone types, see this reference1.
Uses & applications
- 🚶 Garden paths & driveways — 8–16 mm or 16–32 mm for footpaths; 16–32 mm+ for driveways.
- 🌿 Beds & borders — 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.
Functionality & durability
- 🛡️ Weather resistance: granite/slate are very durable; sandstone needs a bit more care.
- 🧼 Upkeep: occasional raking and top-ups keep surfaces tidy.
- 🧱 Stable base: a compacted sub-base + geotextile = fewer ruts and fewer weeds.
Quick table — 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 if needed).
Our offer — direct import
At ACTITRADE we supply Plum Slate (direct 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 ↩