Decorative stone is the ultimate low-maintenance ground cover. It doesn't break down like bark, it doesn't need mowing, and it gives a clean, finished look that lasts for years. Here's how to choose the right stone and use it well.
The Daltons stone range
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Riverstone — smooth, natural grey river pebbles in three grades: Fine (15–20mm), Coarse (20–40mm) and Large (20–65mm). Calm and natural; suits coastal, Japanese-inspired and native gardens.
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Lime Chip (6–17mm) — bright white marble chip for a crisp, contemporary look. Colour and size can vary by region, so check with your local yard.
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Fine Decorative Pebble (7–15mm) — rounded pumice in warm, earthy tones. Safe around acid-loving plants and ponds.
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Coarse Scoria (7–25mm) — deep red volcanic stone from Taupō. Porous, light and great for drainage. See Scoria in the Garden.
Ideas to try
Replace hard-to-mow strips
Narrow strips of lawn beside driveways, fences and the house are a pain to mow. Replace them with Fine Riverstone or Decorative Pebble over weed mat for a tidy, no-mow finish.
Contemporary planting with lime chip
White lime chip makes architectural plants like flax, cordylines, agaves and grasses really stand out. Keep it away from acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and blueberries, as marble can slowly raise soil pH.
Pot toppers
A layer of riverstone, pebble or lime chip on top of pots looks finished, reduces moisture loss and stops potting mix splashing out when you water.
Mix textures
Combine grades for interest: Large Riverstone as a border or in clusters, with Fine Riverstone filling the spaces between. A few larger boulders anchor the design.
Around water features and ponds
Coarse and Large Riverstone are ideal for lining pond edges and the base of water features, where their smooth, rounded shape looks natural.
Dry river beds
Riverstone is perfect for a dry creek bed that carries stormwater across the garden. See How to Build a Dry River Bed.
Laying decorative stone
- Remove weeds, grass and roots, and rake the area level.
- Install edging so stone stays where you want it.
- Lay a permeable weed mat, overlapping joins and pinning it down. Cut crosses in the mat to plant through.
- Spread stone 40–50mm deep (deeper for Large Riverstone) so the mat is fully covered.
Stone or bark?
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Stone lasts for years, doesn't blow away and suits modern, coastal and low-water gardens. It doesn't feed the soil and holds more heat in full sun.
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Bark and mulch break down to feed the soil and keep roots cooler, so they're better for beds you plant and replant often. See Choosing the Right Bark.
How much do I need?
At 50mm deep, ½ m³ covers about 10 m². At 40mm it covers about 12.5 m². See How Much Do I Need?
Quick answers
Do I need weed mat under stone? It's strongly recommended. It keeps stone clean and stops it sinking into the soil, and reduces weeds coming through from below.
How do I stop weeds in stone? Weed seeds blow in and germinate in debris on top. Keep stone clear of leaves, and use a pre-emergent such as Barricade to stop new weeds germinating.
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