The Best Garden Rock Features 2021

Introduction To Garden Rock Features

When it comes to garden scaping, there is much more to consider than just flora and fauna! There’s a variety of decorative and unique garden features that could be essential for your garden dynamic, so it’s important to explore options. Of those options, garden rock features are a must-have and also go a long way in creating a unique garden landscape.

There are a variety of ways to implement rock features into your garden, and it doesn’t have to be difficult. The most effective garden rock features typically range from natural, more homely features to bolder, more eye-catching artificial features. Each of these rock features provides a unique edge for your garden and can help make it feel more personal to you.

Below we discuss a range of rock features you could implement into your garden to enhance its look. These features include simple small projects you could construct yourself to larger, more difficult projects to challenge your skills. Either way, I’m sure you’ll find a rock feature that’s right for you and your garden!

Natural Garden Rock Features

Boulders

The use of boulders is an extremely versatile way to add some variety to your garden. Location and the number of boulders are also key to making this feature work, but it depends on your taste. This is definitely a larger and more bold feature than others, but their natural touch sits nicely in any garden.

Boulders can either be a centerpiece to draw the eye or a subtle corner feature to add some depth to your garden. By adding more boulders in a cluster, you can make your display more eye-catching, but don’t overload it. While fewer boulders will allow for a more subtle touch, I suggest using more for a stronger aesthetic effect.

Rock Terraces

Looking for a way to incorporate rock features into an uneven or hilly garden? Look no further than rock terraces! Arranging rocks into different levels or heights allows for a more natural accentuation of the unevenness of your garden’s landscape.

If a more modern, less natural aesthetic is what you are aiming for, then cut stone slabs are perfect. You can also arrange your rock terrace into a variety of formations, including stairs and plant patches. Either way, it’s the perfect aesthetic solution to the uneven parts of your garden that can be difficult to transform.

Rock Mulch

Mulching is a commonly used practice in gardening, primarily for the retention of soil temperature and moisture. So, why not also use rocks as your mulch, and kill two birds with one stone (pardon the pun) by stopping your soil from drying out and creating a fascinating rock-based border at the same time. Using stones as your mulch has also been shown to be more successful at preventing weed growth too!

Artificial Garden Rock Features

Mosaics

If a more artistic feature would suit the dynamics of your garden better, then a rock mosaic is for you. Express your artistic side and create your very own rocky pièce de resistance with a mosaic pattern. These mosaics can be used to create unique and vibrant steps, walkways, or even patios anywhere in your garden.

Mosaics are the perfect way to express yourself through your garden, and it makes it personal to you. Try a mixture of large and small rocks, as the more variation, the better. I suggest trying to keep the patterns simple, just so you don’t overload it.

Spirals

Bored of tired, forgettable rockeries? Spirals could be your savior! Arrange contrasting stones in a spiral to create fascinating and enviable intricacies in your rockeries or even along your borders. Requiring little effort to assemble, contrasting spirals provide an easy way to go that extra mile for your garden.

For those desiring a bigger project, spiral rock-walled herb gardens might be for you. By constructing a spiral walled structure out of stone, you will not only have a perfect place to plant your herb garden, but also an iconic focal point for any garden. Although a spiral-walled herb garden is more challenging and more costly to construct, it’s worth it for the aesthetic touch.

Japanese Zen Gardens

What could be better than a corner of your garden in which you can achieve inner peace? Zen gardens combine natural, rugged stones with props to create a calming, meditative atmosphere to relax after a stressful day. Relatively easy to assemble, the zen garden could be perfect when wanting to liven up your garden without getting flashy.

Buddha Inspired Rock Gardens

Have a spare Buddha statue lying around? Put it to use and spice up your garden with a buddha inspired rock feature. Simply create a small rock garden and use the statue as a centerpiece in whatever way you wish.

Don’t have a statue lying around? Fear not! You can always use some bamboo with another of the rock features listed here as a replacement. Similar to the zen garden, this feature creates a calming, relaxing atmosphere to alleviate your stress!

Rock Features For Water

Ponds And Streams

Does your garden have ponds or other water body features? Liven them up by lining the banks with rocks of different sizes. Most ponds are typically lined with rocks anyway, but this can be used to your advantage. Choose some different-sized rocks, of different colors, and use them to create a water-based rock feature.

This is a perfect way to add texture and an additional aesthetic touch to the edge of your pond. A successful pond rock feature enhances the natural dynamic, which is especially effective alongside semi-aquatic plants. As well as this, a strong pond rock feature allows for a nice steppingstone to peer into your pond and observe the aquatic life.

Waterfalls

We’ve all wanted a waterfall in our gardens at some point, so why not make one into a rock feature? The soothing sounds of water flowing down the rugged rocks is enough to relax anyone. Although this rock feature does require a fair amount of time to construct, it is well worth it.

For those really wanting to go the extra mile, try combining the waterfall with a rock pond to create a thriving ecosystem for aquatic life. You can even incorporate a pond deck. This will help with your garden aesthetic too, so it’s the best of both worlds. This rock feature is a personal favorite of mine, and it’s an effective way of making a waterfall stand out.  

Conclusion

Although these projects vary in difficulty and materials needed to construct, they all bring a unique and eye-catching aspect to your garden. We recommend doing some research into your desired project before you embark on your mission to improve your garden. Check out our other garden guides for some inspiration and top tips!