You can select a contrasting gravel hue, or one that complements . Medium sized pebbles, both black and white are good options to accentuate the contrast. If you are looking to complement what is already present in the garden, choose gravel from materials already used in the house or local natural stone.
The pebbles in gray or earthy tones, the gray gravel and even the reddish or pink gravel, have a fairly neutral color that combines quite well with traditional gardens.
In modern and contemporary buildings, where glass, steel or wood cladding predominates, subtle colors such as white, pale gray and black tend to work best .
If the garden is very shady, it is possible to increase the luminosity by choosing a shiny gravel or a light-colored pebble that reflects the light
It is advisable to see a sample of the natural stone before buying it, the tonality can be very different from that seen in a photo in a catalog or in a computer image. Also keep in mind that its appearance is completely different when it is wet , the water increases the shine and enhances the color.
What size gravel to choose for the garden?
For paths and driveways, install medium-sized gravel that does not move too much, so that it is comfortable to walk on. It is also the best size for filling cracks between slabs and pavers.
As a room divider , the large pebble is the best option as it does not disperse easily.
In fountains and ponds , boulders of different sizes can be combined with larger stones to achieve a natural and realistic environment.
What type of garden gravel to choose?
There is a great variety of different gravels depending on the type of rock it comes from. Marble, granite, volcanic and pebble are the most common . All of them are a good option and the choice depends, above all, on the design and personal taste.
Granite is, due to its hardness, the one that best adapts to heavy traffic . For a parking area or vehicle passage, it may be the most recommended.
On a road or area of passage that is trodden frequently, it is advisable to install straight-edged gravel since, due to its shape, it compacts and is firmer when walking than pebbles.
Loose gravel and resin-bonded gravel
The loose gravel is perfect for any type of garden , both for country or traditional ones, as well as for contemporary city gardens. It is permeable to water, affordable and easy to install. But if it is not well limited and retained, it will spread and many pebbles will end up being lost. This involves continuous work returning gravel to its place, and replacing the losses from time to time.
Loose gravel is not practical in sloping gardens. The only solution, in these cases, is to level the terraced ground before installing the stones. The best method of keeping the gravel in place is to use a stabilizing grid between the soil and the resin bound surface.
The appearance of resin-fixed gravel is similar to that of loose gravel, but the stones are completely fixed with the resin. Resin is an aqueous polymer that acts as a binder and fixes the gravel. When dry, the finish is rigid, but remains permeable, thus respecting the physiological needs of the surrounding plants. It is widely used in public gardening to fill tree pits.
0 Comments