Pebbles are a great way to add texture and colour to your garden, whilst fulfilling a practical purpose in paths, driveways, drainage and mulch. Our guide below will help you determine the best fit for you garden, and includes insider info on how to make your decision.
Pebbles are rounded and smooth, worn into shape by the motion of river water and come in a wide range of natural colours. Artificially coloured and polished pebbles are also available.These pebbles are usually imported, while the natural-coloured pebbles are usually sourced locally.
Gravel on the other hand is sharp and angular, with uneven edges and inconsistent shapes. It is made from crushed rock and is sourced locally and overseas.
For pathways: Choose a gravel, or pebbles under 10mm. These will be small enough to create a stable surface. Some of our most popular looks include:
Pebbles and pavers were made to go together. Top tips for pairing pebbles and pavers:
For driveways: Gravel is your best bet. Pebbles can roll underfoot, but the sharper edges in gravel allows it to compact under the weight of your foot or car tyres for stability. Decomposed granite in gold, red or brown pink, rich terracotta crushed tile or blue metal all work well here.
Absolutely, and with a few very good reasons:
Use your pebbles to make a statement:
Pebbles are a key element in water-saving Xeriscape and drought-tolerant gardens. Different types, colours and sizes of pebble add visual interest among drought-tolerant plants, and gravel is excellent for creating paths. Colourful imported pebbles add drama, or use the softer colours of our native river pebbles for a more natural look.
For a Japanese Zen garden you mix natural dry landscaping materials, including pebbles and sand, to create calm, meditative surroundings. Sand, gravel, such as crushed granite, or tiny pebbles like our smallest Hunter River pebble are often used in a curving, flowing shape to simulate water. A blend of medium and larger stones can be used to create a dry riverbed effect. Read more about the history of Zen gardens and how to create your own in this fascinating article.
"People are loving wooden planter boxes with plants surrounded by white or black pebbles. These are often built along the fence line with benches in between. They're practical and good looking; a great way to use a bit of space that isn't always used well. You see them a lot in new builds at the moment."
"Here's an easy one for a quick fix of your front yard: use brilliant white stones against dark green or red foliage along the path to the front door. Instant refresh."
"Gabion baskets. I love them. Stack them up and fill them with blue gabion or lucky pebbles and you've got a fence, a gateway, a retaining wall, a letterbox... Whatever. They always look great."
"I like to use white pebbles where I know a plant will have white flowers. Not the brilliant white, but crushed quartz or Cowra White."
"There's a lot you can do with stones in a small yard to liven it up. So, you can use all those colours in imported pebbles to put blocks of colour against one another. Some people like the 'yin and yang' sign in black and white, that's been really popular, but there's so much more you can do."
Link Edge is good to separate the areas; it's narrow so it doesn't spoil the look, but it keeps spaces well separated for maximum impact."
"I did a garden recently that they wanted to be low maintenance, minimal watering. Cacti and succulents with decomposed gold granite, looked like sand. You could use decomposed red granite for an Aussie red centre effect too."
White pebbles: Whilst Snow white pebbles are beautiful, the truth is you shouldn't use them everywhere. The reason? Maintenance. Avoid laying white pebbles in damp areas where moss or mould may grow on them, or in excessively dirty areas where their beauty will quickly be dimmed by mud or dust. Use brown or grey pebbles in these areas as the dirt will be less obvious. And, please, if you put white pebbles under deciduous trees use a leaf blower to quickly get rid of leaves in autumn before they can break down and ruin the true beauty of your pebbles.
Black pebbles: Avoid using these in direct sunlight. These pebbles are coated with a clear finish that fades in the sun. To keep them at their shiny best, use them in shady areas or in water features.
Unfortunately nothing will be completely puppy proof, but our four-legged friends don't enjoy the feel of pebbles against their paws, whereas mulch is fair game. Pebbles will also stop chickens scratching around in parts of the garden that you would prefer to keep chicken free.