Artificial Rocks & Boulders

Rock your garden with these colorful stones

Some people enjoy the look of flowers in their backyard; however, others love the clean, calm look of a Zen garden. Whether you use them sparingly or your garden is completely rocky, stones are an important part of making a garden look beautiful. Not only do they serve a function by ringing flowerbeds or making sure a planter drains properly; they're also decorative and will make your garden look great.

Artificial rocks and multi-colored pebbles are a great way to add color and pep to your garden through the non-flowering seasons. You can add an accent to your garden and complement the flowers and shrubs you already have.

Some artificial rocks come with kits so that you can create them to your specifications. These do a nice job of covering any cords, cables or pumps that would create a not-so-pretty sight in your pretty garden.

Some artificial rocks can be built as an add-on to your garden pond or fountain. The most impressive examples can be seen when people build fountains and waterfalls for their swimming pools - it turns a regular swim on a hot day into a unique experience.

Rocks are quite beneficial to the soil, allowing for proper drainage. They're also aesthetically pleasing - you can buy a boulder for around $100 to set off a specific element of your garden. Rock gardens, such as Zen gardens, are another variety of gardening that requires very little maintenance, but a lot of pleasure.

How to make your own Zen garden

A Zen garden is a garden that is made completely of sand and rocks in a sandbox-like enclosure. Buddhists, and people who believe in New Age practices, say that Zen gardens, which represent water flowing around mountains, relax the mind and clear it for more productive thoughts. The regular motion of raking sand around the rocks allows the visitor to create his own patterns and pictures and drift into deep meditation.

You will need rocks, to represent mountains; and free-flowing sand, to represent water. The sand should be made of crushed granite and can come in different colors to suit your taste. Don't use light colored sand in direct sunlight, as it will create a glare and disturb the purpose of your garden. You can include a few ornaments, like a turtle or statue of Buddha for good luck. A lot of Zen gardens also include a bridge as a focal point. Don't think too much when placing the rocks, and concentrate on peaceful, productive thoughts. Enjoy!