As Spring truly gets underway, many people are looking at ways to freshen up their gardens and turn them into useful, functional spaces that are an inspiration and joy to be in. Landscaping, including the use of plants, trees, shrubs, wood, and of course, rock and pebbles, is essential to creating a beautiful, relaxing garden that can be enjoyed by family, friends, children and solo.
While some garden trends come and go (crazy paving anyone?), using pebbles to enhance your garden and outdoor areas is one that stands the test of time. Scottish garden pebbles are versatile, low maintenance, suitable for large and small spaces, and can be functional for surface areas as well as suitable for accents, borders, pots, and ponds.
But how to know which Scottish pebbles are right for your garden? It all depends on what overall look you're keen on achieving, as well as considering the function of the pebbles.
If you want to use Scottish garden pebbles to spruce up your paths and driveways, you're in luck! These pebbles are ideal for high-wear areas, such as spaces with high footfall or for cars and bikes. Pebbles are very hard-wearing and great for coping with wet and cold weather too. They come in a variety of natural colours so you can create smart, unified looks in your outdoor spaces with ease and at a cost-effective price.
Consider what size and shape you want for paths and drives. You may want something a little smaller to make walking and driving on the surfaces easier. As Scottish garden pebbles are naturally rounded, they do have a slight movement when walked on. Choosing something smaller will make walking on them safer and easier than a larger size, where the rounded nature and movement of the pebbles will be more pronounced the greater the size. Make sure you don't lay them too thick either, as this can make walking on them difficult and a potential hazard.
While some garden trends come and go (crazy paving anyone?), using pebbles to enhance your garden and outdoor areas is one that stands the test of time. Scottish garden pebbles are versatile, low maintenance, suitable for large and small spaces, and can be functional for surface areas as well as suitable for accents, borders, pots, and ponds.
But how to know which Scottish pebbles are right for your garden? It all depends on what overall look you're keen on achieving, as well as considering the function of the pebbles.
Pathways and Driveways
If you want to use Scottish garden pebbles to spruce up your paths and driveways, you're in luck! These pebbles are ideal for high-wear areas, such as spaces with high footfall or for cars and bikes. Pebbles are very hard-wearing and great for coping with wet and cold weather too. They come in a variety of natural colours so you can create smart, unified looks in your outdoor spaces with ease and at a cost-effective price.
Consider what size and shape you want for paths and drives. You may want something a little smaller to make walking and driving on the surfaces easier. As Scottish garden pebbles are naturally rounded, they do have a slight movement when walked on. Choosing something smaller will make walking on them safer and easier than a larger size, where the rounded nature and movement of the pebbles will be more pronounced the greater the size. Make sure you don't lay them too thick either, as this can make walking on them difficult and a potential hazard.
Borders and flower beds
Whether you've got huge sweeping flower beds, perfectly pruned rose borders, or a tucked-away space on the lawn for plants, adding garden pebbles can be the ideal finishing touch. Using pebbles in your borders and flowerbeds can help reduce weeds, aid with drainage (great for fussy plants), preserve moisture, and remove patches of unsightly dirt. Garden pebbles can also create neat edging for borders, reducing the need to strim or edge while maintaining a great look. An added bonus - if you have a dog that loves to dig and hide bones in your flower beds, putting a layer of pebbles down can deter them from digging!
Remember, if you're intending to lay gravel in flower beds and borders, make sure your plants are well established. Young plants or seedlings can struggle with pebbles. If you're laying pebbles around the base of well-established plants, such as rose bushes or trees, consider laying a weed membrane to further reduce those pesky weeds from appearing. Just make sure water can still penetrate!
Ponds and water features
A pond or water feature can add so much to even small gardens and outdoor spaces. Calming water, beautiful plant life, and ideal for attracting diverse wildlife, having a pond in the garden is making a comeback in a big way. There is a real art to preparing, digging, and maintaining a pond or water feature, and choosing the right garden pebbles is a key part of that.
All of our Scottish garden pebbles are completely safe to use in ponds and are fish-friendly as well. Choose from larger, more rounded pebbles for the depths and base of your pond, with smaller pebbles to line the 'shore' to create a graduated and natural look. The variation of sizes can also be great if you're keen to encourage frogs and tadpoles, or if you're intending to keep fish as they have plenty of places to hide.
Think about how you want to use and maintain your pond or water feature. If it's a sensory pond where you and your family will be keen to dip your toes, you might want a smaller pebble throughout for comfort reasons. If you want to create a more Alpine or Oriental style feature of your pond, larger rounded pebbles can create a striking impact and allow room for planting.
Colour and Texture
Garden pebbles allow you to add colour and texture to areas of your outside space you might not have considered. If you're looking to create a specific style of garden, such as Alpine, Cottage, or Mediterranean, choosing Scottish garden pebbles can be the perfect way to tie the spaces in the garden together. With their range of natural earthy tones, from rich browns, bright tans and soft mink-grey, these pebbles never look out of place.
Why not use these to add colour and texture to flower beds, paths, raised beds and borders, and even to potted plants. Or use as a base layer for a rockery to complement the larger boulders, or to add a natural lift to flagstone paths when used to help bed in the stones. For larger gardens and pathways, using a single type of garden pebble can create a sense of unity. Or you can buck the trend and vary the size and colour used for a garden that's uniquely your own!
Review our range of Scottish garden pebbles today to learn more about which selection is the right choice for you.
