landscape Las Vegas

Use Natural Stone for Your Vegas Landscape and Backyard Hardscaping

A backyard that includes natural stone is a real thing of beauty. This material can add warmth and color to an outdoor space, which means you will enjoy spending more time in your backyard when you have got some pretty stones in the plan. You do not have to limit yourself to using these materials as accents either; there are all kinds of spaces where the main area features one or more types of natural stone for a Vegas landscape. You can go solo and do the landscaping alone or tap the help of landscape contractors Las Vegas, NV.

Stone Materials

You can use many different types of rocks for hardscaping purposes, but some are better than others when exposed to sunlight regularly. Sandstone holds up very well in direct sun exposure because it possesses high compressive strength values. Granite offers good durability and is an excellent choice if you want to use a dark or black stone for contrast.

If you will like the idea of using natural stone but you do not necessarily want to work with rocks, there are other options as well. Recycled concrete and bricks make great alternatives to fresh-cut stones because they offer many of the same benefits (i.e., excellent durability). With that said, however, it’s still intelligent to select materials that have been designed specifically for outdoor usage because this will help increase their lifespan even further.

Intertwining Natural Stones With Plants

You may not think that your yard needs a little bit of greenery, but that may not be true. Ideally, nothing adds more warmth and color to an outdoor space than plants and flowers. Plus: these things attract bees and butterflies, which means you’ll be able to enjoy their company as well.

Natural stone is great because it comes in so many colors and styles. If you want to take advantage of this trend without going overboard, you can use one primary material throughout your backyard project. The rest can involve different kinds of plants, flowers, and decor pieces that tie together nicely with the surrounding stones. This approach makes sure everything flows naturally, which you want to keep in mind.

Natural Stones Backyard Designs

Natural stone can be used in just about any backyard design imaginable. For example:

  • A Hangout Space: If your family or guests spend a lot of time outside, why not create an outdoor living space where everyone can relax and enjoy the great outdoors? A covered patio with multiple sitting areas is a great place to start. You can add some removable furniture for extra comfort and convenience (if you need some ideas on how to decorate your patio for summertime fun, search “decorating ideas” on HGTV’s website).
  • A Poolside Retreat: If you have a swimming pool in your backyard, it only makes sense to add a large deck or patio area that surrounds it. It will give everyone easy access to the water when they want it. Plus, many different stone materials will look great around a pool because they can withstand the elements (i.e., exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures).
  • A Large Walkway: Does your backyard have a lot of grass, but would you still like to add a walkway that leads from one end of the yard to another? Constructing a pathway made from the natural stone will allow for proper drainage. Plus, using rocks on this type of project makes it easy to create curved borders or even designs if you want to get creative with your hardscaping idea.

Steps of Creating a Colorful Hardscaped Backyard

Do not fret if you consider yourself a green thumb but suffer from brown finger syndrome. The secret to turning your Vegas landscape garden into a masterpiece is simple: natural stone. While plants will provide the color and appeal, rocks make up the base of every great landscape design. Here is how to use them in various shapes, sizes, and colors to create a backyard that rivals the Garden of Eden.

Remove Debris From Your Vegas Landscape

First, remove any large debris like rocks or branches that might inhibit soil drainage around plants later. If you are working with an existing landscaping project, this step may not be necessary. Use essential landscaping tools like shovels and wheelbarrows to level out your planting area, so it’s flat and even. It ensures that your garden will drain adequately and won’t erode when it rains.

Add Gravel and Choose a Paver Shape

Now, add a thin layer of pea gravel to separate the soil and rocks or other types of path materials you would like to use in your design. It will prevent weeds from growing along the border while also creating an easy-to-maintain walkway to help you get around the garden without any difficulty.

Once you have laid out all your stones, choose a shape throughout the entire landscape to give it a cohesive look. Hexagonal pavers are always a good choice since they are rounder than typical bricks and have corners for attractive geometric designs. Many people use hexagonal because they resemble natural flagstones.

You can also opt for a more uniform stone in width; choose thick, flat pavers if you don’t want any gaps between the rocks. However, remember that you will also need to use pea gravel underneath these types of walkways. If you are using thinner or smaller stones, it’s best to have them sit directly on top of the soil, so they don’t shift too much over time.

Design Your Vegas Landscape

Now comes the fun part: getting creative with your Vegas landscape design. Try placing smaller rocks around taller pieces to give your hardscaping a medieval feel. It will help define pathways and create something that looks like it came straight out of Game of Thrones. You can also create exciting designs by arranging larger stones into triangles or rectangles.

To add a pop of color to your designs, feel free to incorporate bistro lights and wrought iron furniture to making the space more inviting. Planting vines will also help give your stones a rich patina, but only if you choose varieties that will not grow too fast or root underground. Make sure you buy plants that match the light in your landscape design. For example, reddish-leafed plants go well with gray stones because they’re both soil type and ambient temperature resistant.

Once you have everything set up how you will like it, finalize the look with dark mulch colors, such as cypress or tan suede. This material helps keep weeds at bay while adding texture and character to your design.

Your Vegas Landscape Project

If you are ever unsure about your landscaping Las Vegas project steps, you may want to consult a professional to ensure the best possible results.