Coloured gravels were used in 18th century France to create designs on the surface of the ground – in effect partitioning the ground, often into geometric/symmetrical patterns.

Red or brown gravel might have been used to mark out circles, rectangles or squares enclosed by low hedges, with white or cream gravel to create paths outside of the hedging.In this way, very simple gardens created a high impact – with patches of contrasting colour covering the ground, separated by low green hedging.

The same idea can be used today to create a distinctive garden feature. Pebbles are currently very trendy, with landscape designers using them as mulches, in mosaics and paving, and to surface paths and driveways. There are even pebble specialists that supply a large range of local and imported stones, in a range of different textures and colours.

Places to Pebbles and Gravels

• Set in concrete (for cobble paving or mosaic walling)
• Between pavers, for contrasting texture and colour
• Inlaid in garden furniture, e.g. table tops
• As a pebble beach at the edge of a pool or water garden
• At the base of a pond, to hide the liner and provide anchorage for water plants
• On the surface of tub plants, for decoration and as a mulch
• As a mulch around plants to reduce weeds and for visual effect
• In a succulent garden, to provide a well-drained growing media and as a colour contrast with the plants
• In an artificial dry creek bed
• At the base of a waterfall to create a splashing noise
• In Oriental gardens, raked in patterns