Page 4 - Sonoma County Gardeners Resource Guide 2017.indd
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STONE: a Natural Addition to Any Garden
By: Joe Schriner
Stone has long been a favorite building material in the garden. Its weight
and mass make it a wonderful choice for retaining materials such as bark, soil, and mulch and its
lushly planted borders and provide a cool and peaceful place for the traveling eye to rest. Artfully placed “head-stones” (so-called because the stones used are approximately the size of a human head) can make beautiful paths in our gardens, both keeping the gravel where it
natural beauty has a way of fitting in to any landscape seamlessly. The earth-color tones
of natural stone contrast nicely with the bright colors and soft textures of
should be and also defining in a natural way the perimeters of our planted areas.
Whether you are building a
new garden border or repairing an existing one, I urge you to consider using head-sized stone. Certainly there are other materials available for defining path borders—rough lumber (usually 2x4” redwood), plastic “bender-board” and steel “bender- board” all come to mind—and while these choices may have their own respective qualities, they lack the versatility, durability, and beauty of stone.
In my experience, stone will work on all terrains and under all circumstances and has long been my go-to when landscaping sloped or uneven land. My clients like it because it is beautiful, sustainable, and will last forever. If you find yourself working with stone, it is safe to say those rocks you’re lifting were around millions of years before you existed and will be around millions of years after you! This provides your garden with a sense of longevity
Durable & Sustainable
and peace that you will appreciate for all your years of living with it.
4 - www.sonomacountynurseries.com - 3/17
STONE cont’d on page 5
A well-laid “dry stacked” stone wall is largely considered the more artful approach to building
a garden wall, in comparison to a wall made with pre-manufactured concrete blocks and such a wall will add value to any home. If you have a slope to your yard, consider terracing a section of it, with the addition of a stone wall. Be sure to plant low-growing plants at the top, where they can soften, and trail over the front of the wall. This effect adds a huge amount of interest to any garden—just be careful not to over-plant, as your goal is to accent the stonework, not hide
it. Remember that a skillfully crafted stone wall is a handsome monument and one you’ll want to celebrate and highlight in your garden!
Stone is also an excellent choice for building walls, and is often selected over materials like concrete blocks, which may be easier to lay but lack a little in character.


































































































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