How to choose and set stones

One rule you may have learned about designing with plants is that using odd numbers often looks better. It’s the same when you’re working with rocks! Place one in a spot by itself or in groups of three or five. Another approach is to imagine you’re building a mountain range as you arrange them. Take a look at how the smaller rocks are placed next to larger ones here. Imagine one spot as the mountains, and put most of the largest rocks together there, then distribute smaller stones around it like foothills.

Place one really great rock that you’d like to highlight at the end of a path, so you have to take a walk to see it. Or incorporate it into a prominent spot, like the curve of the stairs here. When you want to emphasize a beautiful stone, keep the plantings around it simple so they don’t detract from the rock. Use just a few plants in a subtle color palette to accent the rock. Small, delicate sprays of flowers and grasses won’t steal the show, either. A mostly green shade garden is another good place for a spectacular rock. In these subdued surroundings, it won’t compete for attention like it might in a more colorful garden.

Start out small by featuring one really interesting rock, like this calcite, in a hypertufa trough. It’s perfect if you have a small space or tabletop you’d like to decorate.

You can create an entire landscape in a container like this one by adding rocks alongside the plants in a pot. If you like the results, apply what you did on a larger scale in the garden. For shade, rocks, moss and miniature hostas can create a little piece of a shady mountainside. In sun, stones and gravel with succulents make a mini desert scene. Whether you choose boulders or pebbles, adding rocks will accent your plants and add a lot of interest throughout your garden.