Any pebble or gravel can be used as a decorative mulch or feature in any natural landscape setting. The advantages of using a gravel or pebble as a mulch is that they are inert (meaning they will not alter the soil in any way).
The less advantageous side of this is they don't nourish or insulate the soil in the same ways as other organic mulches & in our warmer climate, can become very hot, which can damage plants if positioned too close to their base. Pebble mulch is generally best suited for native & arid gardens where composted organics aren’t as important.
But they are extremely long lasting, & they stop water loss from the soil by evaporation as all mulches do. They are also a very creative way of repelling pests.
Different kinds of pebbles offer different benefits, so it is a matter of considering what you would like to achieve, before you go ahead & choose a pebble. River rocks & other small stones often used to prevent weed growth in landscapes are attractive, decorative, versatile, can help conserve water & require little maintenance.
We recommend you use a weed mat under any rocks or pebbles used in the garden or in a path, as this will prevent weeds from coming through the pebbles. The matting will also help if the pebbles need to be changed in the future, as they will not mix with the soil.
If you use a pebble in a natural water feature it is best to use river pebbles which come in a range of sizes from 10mm up to 150mm as these will not change the water quality. They may have to be washed beforehand to remove any dust from transport & handling.
Pebbles are a great way to create an underwater landscape in an aquarium. You can use different sizes to create ground cover, & by using different colours can add interest or define spaces to highlight plants or features. They also look fantastic at the base of potted plants, & tend to stop pets from digging up the soil.
Unsure about what type of pebble is best for your project? Give us a call on 5453 7100 & we can make sure you get the product you need.
Mulching is one of the most important Winter garden jobs because it insulates the soil, retains moisture and suppresses weed growth.
Stunning Kashmiri Polished Red Pebbles have deep, rich and vibrant colour tones and are available to order in 20kg bags.
We are excited to announce that our soils are now certified AS 4419. AS 4419 is an Australian Standard that provides guidelines for producing and using soils in landscaping and garden applications.
