Gravel Options for Patios and Paths

Gravel is a great, low-impact material for patios and pathways. It is less expensive than solid materials like concrete, pavers, or flagstone; is quick to install; and has many environmental benefits over solid surfaces. The type of gravel used affects the function of the space, but it can also impact the overall aesthetic. A speckled gray gravel can evoke a zen garden feel, golden decomposed granite conjures Tuscan themes, and dark lava rock harkens back to mid-century landscapes. Here’s an overview of a few gravel options to consider for a gravel path or patio.

Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is a popular material because it is inexpensive and comes in a variety of colors and sizes. It’s composed of rounded pebbles, so it is comfortable for pets or bare feet to walk across. Because of its round shape, however, pea gravel can’t be compacted into a smooth surface. Individual pebbles simply shift against one another when force is applied, like plastic balls in a ball pit. Just as a child jumping into a ball pit will plunge down beneath the surface, your feet, furniture legs, and trash can wheels will similarly displace pea gravel as they press down. This makes pea gravel a poor choice for patios, where it will impede the movement of people and furniture, and a high maintenance choice for paths, where it will require frequent smoothing and cleanup of stray pebbles that have been inadvertently flung out of place.

Basalt Chip

Basalt is a dark, volcanic rock that is plentiful across the Inland Northwest, thanks to lava flows that blanketed the region a few million years ago, making it a fairly affordable choice in the region today. The rock is fairly uniform in color, which makes it ideal for understated use in the landscape. Basalt comes in many sizes, from cobbles several inches across to small gravel of less than half an inch. Because of the texture of the rock, chipped basalt breaks into jagged, angular pieces. While this can be uncomfortable on bare feet, it does mean that the edges of the gravel pieces will lock together when compacted. This allows you to create a much stronger surface than pea gravel, as the individual chips do not shift and travel in the same way as round pebbles. Smaller-sized basalt chip will create a smoother, flatter patio, but the smaller pieces can also be more painful to step on.

Small basalt chip creates a stable patio surface, but it can be uncomfortable on bare feet.

Crushed Granite

Like basalt, granite is a volcanic rock that is fairly common throughout the Spokane/Coeur D’Alene region. Its texture is very different, however, with large crystals of different colored minerals. In addition to giving crushed granite a very different look than basalt chip, those large crystals provide a coarse network of joints at which the granite breaks apart when crushed. This results in gravel with fewer sharp edges, and those edges that remain wear down more easily than basalt would. Even a granite pebble without sharp edges will have many bumps and ridges that allow it to lock against surrounding pebbles when compacted, making it a very good choice for gravel pathways and patios. In our area, it is usually close to basalt in price, but that will vary across the country depending on local supply.

A flagstone path through crushed granite forms a comfortable walkway for bare feet and pets.

Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite offers a compromise between the comfortable feel of pea gravel and the structural integrity of basalt chip or crushed granite. As granite ages, the individual crystals and minerals break apart, forming a material with particles that range from rock dust to very small rounded pebbles that won’t stab a bare foot or paw. A decomposed granite patio or pathway is usually more expensive than using a similar crushed granite, but the small and varied particles compact down to a very strong and stable surface, comparable to a solid product. This means that decomposed granite has much less maintenance than other gravel products, while also being much more comfortable to walk on and use as a patio.

While all gravel patio and path options are more affordable and offer environmental benefits over solid products like concrete or pavers, they counter that somewhat with their increased maintenance. The level of maintenance will certainly vary by material and application, but in general a more expensive material like decomposed granite will need much less repair and replenishing than a material like pea gravel. Each person’s needs and budget will dictate which type of gravel patio is appropriate for their landscape. If you think a gravel patio might be a good choice for your landscape, contact us to look at your options.

Plant Spotlight: Ilex x meserveae

What It Is

Commonly called blue holly, Ilex x meserveae is a group of hybrid hollies originally bred by Kathleen Meserve of New York after World War II to feature showy foliage and berries while maintaining cold-hardiness for Northeast winters. Size varies depending on variety, but generally ranges between 6’-12’ high and wide.

Why to Grow It

When most of the landscape is dull and dormant in the winter, Ilex x meserveae puts on a show with its glossy leaves and clusters of red berries. The berries provide winter food for birds, adding to the interest.

Where to Put It

Ilex x meserveae needs full sun to part shade to thrive. It will mature to a large shrub, so take advantage of its evergreen foliage and showy berries to screen a boring wall or fence. It also works well as an evergreen hedge. Ilex x meserveae requires a medium amount of water and will need artificial irrigation in the Spokane/Coeur D’Alene climate during the summer.

Like all hollies, a male and female plant are each necessary for the female plant to produce berries. One male plant can pollinate several female plants, but it’s important to ensure that the varieties flower at the same time. Most cultivars, however, come with a male and female form that have been bred so that their bloom times align. The Berri-Magic line even includes a male and female plant in each container to ensure berry production.

Glossy evergreen leaves and red berries make this holly a winter showpiece.

Edging Part 2: Surface-Laid Products

In our previous post, we looked at three types of edging that are all installed as long strips anchored into a trench. This time we’ll look at a few options that provide a different look and functionality than the previous choices, all laid on the surface rather than buried. As with most things, the edging product that fits with one landscape design could be totally out of place or unworkable in another, so considering your needs and the attributes of each option is crucial.

Concrete Edging

Concrete edging, or curbing as it is sometimes called, is a popular choice in Spokane and Coeur D’Alene landscapes because it is well suited for our hilly geography. Concrete edging is formed in place, so the wet mix will conform to any terrain and bend around curves. Another reason for its popularity is the ease with which you can operate a mower around it. The wide, smooth surface of the concrete edging allows mower wheels to ride over the top, eliminating the need for string trimming or edging.

As with any concrete, however, the finished product is a solid mass. It can’t be moved in a redesign and can crack as the ground settles. Additionally, the wide, gray strips call attention to themselves and can easily overwhelm the landscape in small spaces. While the concrete can be tinted and stamped with a pattern to better blend into the landscape, concrete itself is already expensive. Add in the specialized equipment used to form the curb, pigment to tint the concrete, and labor to stamp a pattern, and concrete edging usually turns out to be a pricey option.

Paver and Stone Edging

Rather than using long, continuous strips of material, there is also the option to use concrete or natural stone pavers, cobbles, or similar objects to form the edging. The small segments can be easily placed around tight curves or straight lines on any terrain. The choice of product, however, can be customized to fit the character of the space, unlike any other edging option. Whether it’s weathered cobblestones, traditional bricks, or concrete pavers, the edging can truly be integrated into the design of the landscape. A rocky site can even make use of the rocks unearthed in construction for a cost-effective approach that grounds the landscape in its setting.

Native stone harvested during the landscape construction can be unsuitable around lawns.

While paver and stone edging can be a unique look, it does require a lot of labor to achieve, which will account for a large part of the cost. Depending on the exact material, it may also be necessary to edge or line trim around the perimeter of the lawn after mowing. Some materials, such as smaller found rock, may be unsuitable for using around lawn areas and best used only to contain gravel paths and patios.

No Edging

Finally, there’s the option to have no edging at all. While it certainly takes more maintenance to achieve a clean look, omitting edging between landscape bed and lawn can still result in a great finished landscape. It works well on sloping sites that have few edging options available, in relaxed cottage gardens, in small yards with little edge to maintain, and in many other situations.

Omitting edging can be a good solution for hilly landscapes if maintained well.

If that’s not enough information to help you make a decision, get in touch with us at Pacific Garden Design and we can help you design the landscape you’re looking for.

Edging Part 1: Trenched Edging Products

Landscape edging provides a crisp delineation between lawn and bed areas, but it is also frequently used to contain gravel pathways and patios. There are a variety of materials that can be used for edging, and each has a distinct style and functionality. The final choice often comes down to lifestyle factors, and Pacific Garden Design has experience installing all type of edging in its landscaping projects. Here’s a quick rundown of three major edging choices that are all installed by digging a trench, anchoring the edging, and backfilling.

“Poly” Edging

The old standby that most people will be familiar with is black polyethylene (often abbreviated to “poly”) plastic edging. It’s a very cost-effective solution and is fairly easy to DIY, so it’s become the most common choice for landscape edging. Poly edging’s flexible nature makes it easy to form flowing, organic shapes across rolling terrain, and its position can be shifted if a bed is moved in the future. Once it is installed, black poly edging becomes barely noticeable, receding from view to blend with the landscape.

Poly edging is a cost-effective and popular choice for landscaping.

The major drawback for poly edging, however, is its longevity. Because it is plastic, poly edging can degrade and become brittle with months and years of UV exposure. It requires special care when mowing or line trimming around the edging so as not to damage the material, especially the hollow tube that forms the top. It’s flexibility is a drawback when edging gravel paths and patios, as it is often too weak to effectively contain the rock. And while poly edging is well-suited to flowing curves, it doesn’t lend itself to straight lines and geometric layouts.

Metal Edging

Metal edging is similar to poly edging in its installation, but it is a much more durable product. Steel edging products are available, but for the best lifespan opt for aluminum, which won’t rust like steel. Metal edging is thin enough to virtually disappear in the landscape while still providing excellent definition between planting beds and lawn.

Steel edging is certainly more expensive than plastic, though, with an additional premium for aluminum, and that extra cost can be a deciding factor in many landscaping projects. While it can be used for geometric or curvilinear shapes equally well, it is unsuitable for hilly sites, as it is not flexible in the vertical direction. Finally, metal edging’s thin profile usually means that a pass with the string trimmer to clean up the perimeter is necessary after mowing the lawn.

Composite Edging

Composite bender-board edging strikes a balance between poly and metal edging in both price and functionality. Since it is a solid piece of material, it is more resistant to damage than poly edging, although it still suffers from UV degradation. It can be used for straight runs or curves, though it is not good for hilly sites. Composite edging is thicker than metal, but is available in a variety of colors that will blend into the landscape. That extra bulk is helpful when edging gravel paths and patios, however, as composite bender-board is rigid enough to contain the heavy gravel. And like poly and metal edging, it can be moved if the landscape is altered in the future.

Composite edging performs well around gravel paths and patios.

The next post will cover a few more edging options that are different than those listed above. If you’re considering a landscape makeover, get in touch with us at Pacific Garden Design talk about your options

Plant Spotlight: Tsuga Heterophylla

What it Is

Western hemlock's delicate evergreen foliage provides interest throughout the winter.

Western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla, is the state tree of Washington, where it mostly grows in the Cascades and the Olympic Peninsula. It prefers shady, moist conditions and is not found native in Spokane County, but it does grow throughout the Idaho Panhandle. Trees in the wild can grow to 100’ high and 30’ wide, but are smaller in cultivation.

Why to Grow It

Western hemlock is an attractive conifer tree for shady spaces. Its small needles and cones offer delicate evergreen interest, and it is a good tree for attracting birds. There are only a few cultivars cultivars available currently, but Tsuga heterophylla’s superior resistance to the hemlock woolly adelgid makes it a more reliable choice than the widely grown Tsuga canadensis. The insect is steadily devastating hemlock populations throughout the Eastern US, but western hemlocks do not show the same mortality when infested.  

Where to Put It

At least partial shade is necessary for the western hemlock in the Spokane/Coeur D’Alene region, where our hot, dry summers can stress the tree. Northern and eastern exposures are preferred, and Tsuga heterophylla does well in moist soil, as long as it is well-draining. The lacy, evergreen foliage is a great addition to a woodland or shade garden. Its soft needles won’t poke or jab like many other conifers, making it a suitable choice next to patios or pathways, where people might brush against it.