Landscaping Ideas for the Front of a House With Rocks, Gravel and Edging

Flowerbeds

• When it comes to flowerbeds, colorful blooms and rich, dark soil are the classic interpretation. Flowerbeds that include gravel, rocks and edging provide a diverse look that combines hardscaping and landscaping. Use railroad ties to create an edge around raised beds and plant an assortment of flowers along the front of the house. Use multicolored pea gravel instead of mulch to draw and hold the warmth of the sun to the beds and to help plants retain moisture. Alternatively, place several medium-sized rocks side by side to create a border along beds and fill the empty space with white landscaping stones for a clean, bright look that draws the eye to the area.

Japanese-Style Gardens

• Japanese-style gardens incorporate many sizes, shapes and colors of rocks and stones. Placing these features in the front yard will distinguish your home from others in the neighborhood with a hint of the East. Dig out a rectangular section of sod, line the perimeter with railroad ties to incorporate the element of wood and fill the space with crushed granite chips. Rake a pattern into the granite to create a circle that spirals outward from the center to the edges. Japanese-style gardens also make use of large stones and boulders to represent large landforms in the middle of a landscape. Strategically place the stones in the front yard and plant small, delicate plants at their base to set them off.

Pathways

• A winding path that leads directly to your front door, or from the front sidewalk to the backyard, creates a way to use stone pavers or gravel. A walkway created from round or hexagonal stone pavers creates a stepping stone effect that gives the front yard a cottage feel. Alternatively, a gravel walkway made from pea gravel or crushed stones creates a rustic look that also aids in absorbing water runoff in a front yard that tends to hold water. Install a galvanized steel or plastic edging to confine the gravel to the pathway and prevent it from migrating into nearby grass. Plant annual or perennial flowers to create a brightly colored border along both sides of the path.

Rock Gardens

• A rock garden in the front yard may mean you don't need a labor-intensive lawn and provides many nooks and crannies where you can place plants and flowers that give passersby a pleasant surprise to view among the stones. Build a rock garden in a corner near the street, or devote a larger area of the front yard to the rockery. Spread gravel on the soil around the rocks to unify the appearance. Logs cut into 2-foot lengths, split in half and laid flat-side down create a natural border that contrasts with the rocks of the garden.