Considering the Size of the Rock Whether you are covering the base of a tree, replacing grass in your yard, or creating a creative and sustainable living space, the choices of landscape rock are seemingly endless. Advice from an experienced
Elevate your outdoor space with premium landscape stones from Browne Associates. Our carefully selected natural stones provide endless possibilities for creating stunning, low-maintenance landscapes that thrive in Colorado’s unique climate.Â
No matter if you’re designing pathways, garden borders, retaining walls, or decorative accents, our stone options offer both timeless beauty and practical benefits for your property. With decades of experience serving Colorado property owners, we understand the importance of selecting the right stone materials for your specific landscape needs.Â
Our team of experts will guide you through the selection process, helping you choose stones that complement your property’s style while providing functional benefits like improved drainage, erosion control, and architectural definition. Discover how landscape stones can transform your outdoor living space into a beautiful, durable environment that stands the test of time!
Natural stone adds an unmatched aesthetic quality to any landscape, instantly elevating the visual appeal of your outdoor space. Unlike manufactured materials that can look artificial or dated over time, stone provides a timeless elegance that connects your landscape to Colorado’s natural environment.
According to a study by The Rock Garden, properties featuring natural stone elements are perceived as significantly more valuable than those without such features. This enhanced curb appeal translates directly to increased property value, with stone landscaping often recouping 80-100% of its investment cost when homes are sold.
Furthermore, each stone has unique coloration, texturing, and character that cannot be replicated by manufactured products. This natural variation creates visual interest and depth in your landscape that becomes more appealing over time. As noted in a 2024 report from Constructor, “Natural stone creates crisp lines and the appearance of a well-manicured landscape,” adding definition and structure to your outdoor space.
Colorado’s climate presents unique challenges for landscaping materials, with dramatic temperature fluctuations, intense UV exposure, and occasional severe weather. Natural stone thrives in these conditions, offering exceptional durability that few other materials can match.
Quality stone withstands Colorado’s freeze-thaw cycles without cracking or deteriorating, unlike concrete which often shows damage after just a few seasons. Stone’s natural composition allows it to expand and contract with temperature changes without compromising structural integrity, making it ideal for our region’s variable climate.
Moreover, stone requires minimal maintenance to maintain its appearance and functionality. It doesn’t fade in the sun, rot from moisture, or succumb to insect damage. This resilience translates to decades—even centuries—of service life with minimal upkeep, making stone one of the most cost-effective landscape investments available to Colorado homeowners.
In an era of increasing environmental awareness, landscape stone offers significant ecological advantages over many alternative materials. As a natural product, stone requires minimal processing compared to manufactured options, resulting in a substantially lower carbon footprint.
Stone landscaping significantly reduces water consumption compared to traditional lawns. This water conservation benefit is particularly valuable in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, where responsible resource management is increasingly important. Stone areas require no irrigation, helping homeowners reduce their environmental impact while saving on utility costs.
Additionally, stone landscaping can help prevent erosion and manage water runoff, protecting both your property and the broader ecosystem. Properly designed stone features like retaining walls can control erosion on slopes while creating functional, beautiful outdoor spaces. This combination of practical benefits and environmental responsibility makes stone an excellent choice for forward-thinking Colorado homeowners.
Decorative gravel provides versatile, low-maintenance ground cover for a wide range of landscape applications. Available in various sizes, colors, and textures, these smaller stones can define pathways, create drainage areas, fill spaces between larger landscape features, or replace traditional mulch around plants.
The angular nature of crushed stone provides excellent stability underfoot, making it ideal for pathways and high-traffic areas where displacement is a concern. Meanwhile, rounded pea gravel offers a softer, more informal appearance perfect for casual garden paths or Mediterranean-inspired designs. Both options allow for excellent drainage while suppressing weed growth, reducing landscape maintenance requirements.
Beyond functional benefits, decorative gravel adds visual texture and color to your landscape. From warm earth tones that complement Colorado’s natural environment to striking white marble chips that create dramatic contrast, the right gravel selection can enhance your overall design while providing practical ground cover.Â
When installed with proper depth (typically 2-4 inches) over quality landscape fabric, gravel creates an attractive, low-maintenance surface that will look great for years with minimal upkeep.
Flagstone offers a premium option for creating elegant pathways, patios, and outdoor living spaces. These flat, irregular stones create a natural, organic appearance that blends beautifully with Colorado’s landscape while providing durable, stable surfaces for outdoor activities.
Available in various colors and textures, flagstone can complement any architectural style from rustic mountain retreats to sleek contemporary homes. Colorado sandstone, with its warm buff and red tones, provides a particularly authentic connection to our region’s natural geology. These stones can be tightly fitted for a more formal appearance or spaced with ground cover plants or gravel between them for a more casual, naturalistic effect.
Natural stone pavers offer significant advantages over concrete in Colorado’s climate. Their individual nature allows for movement during freeze-thaw cycles without cracking, and damaged pieces can be individually replaced if necessary. This flexibility and repairability make flagstone and pavers an excellent long-term investment for Colorado homeowners seeking both beauty and durability in their outdoor spaces.
Landscape boulders serve as dramatic focal points and structural elements within your outdoor space. These larger stones create instant visual impact and can transform an ordinary landscape into something truly extraordinary with minimal effort.
Available in various sizes, colors, and geological types, boulders can be strategically placed to create natural-looking outcroppings, retain soil on slopes, or define different areas within your landscape. Their substantial presence adds a sense of permanence and connection to the natural world that smaller materials cannot achieve.
“Boulders and stone are essential components of effective landscape design, offering aesthetic beauty, versatility, and practical applications.” Beyond their aesthetic value, boulders serve important functional roles in landscape design, from creating natural-looking retaining walls to stabilizing slopes and directing foot traffic.Â
When properly placed, they appear as though they’ve always been part of the landscape, creating an authentic sense of place that reflects Colorado’s natural geology.
Well-designed stone pathways enhance both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space. Natural stone provides an ideal material for creating durable, attractive walkways that guide movement through your property while complementing your overall design theme.
Flagstone and stepping stones offer excellent options for formal or informal paths, providing a natural appearance that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. For more casual pathways, crushed stone or decomposed granite create permeable surfaces that allow water to penetrate while providing stable footing. The design possibilities are virtually limitless, from straight formal paths to winding routes that invite exploration.
Stone pathways not only add visual interest but also serve practical purposes by directing foot traffic, reducing soil compaction in garden areas, and providing all-weather access to different parts of your landscape.Â
When properly installed with appropriate base preparation, stone pathways require minimal maintenance while providing years of reliable service and visual appeal in Colorado’s variable climate.
Stone retaining walls transform challenging slopes into usable, attractive landscape features. In Colorado’s varied terrain, these structures are particularly valuable for creating level areas for patios, gardens, or lawn spaces while preventing erosion and managing drainage.
“If you live on a slope, a well-designed and professionally constructed retaining wall will be your greatest ally in creating functional, livable outdoor space.” These walls provide structural support to hold back soil while adding architectural interest and defining different areas of your landscape.
Natural stone offers unmatched beauty and durability for retaining walls, with options ranging from formal cut stone to more rustic boulder walls that appear to have emerged naturally from the landscape.Â
“A landscape designer can also create terraces with retaining walls, which protect slopes from eroding and add additional flat spaces for lawns, gardens and sitting areas.” This combination of practical function and aesthetic enhancement makes stone retaining walls one of the most valuable landscape improvements for many Colorado properties.
Decorative stone elements add character, interest, and focal points throughout your landscape. From simple stone borders around garden beds to elaborate water features and fire pits, these accents create visual anchors that enhance your overall design.
Stone garden edging provides clean, defined transitions between different landscape areas while containing mulch or plantings. Larger feature stones can serve as natural sculptures, creating visual interest even in winter when plants are dormant. Strategically placed decorative stones “can create visually engaging compositions that draw attention and inspire joy.“
Fire features crafted from natural stone create gathering places that extend the usability of your outdoor space into cooler seasons. Similarly, stone water features add the soothing sound and reflective quality of water to your landscape while providing habitat for birds and beneficial insects.Â
These functional art pieces become central elements in your outdoor living space, creating memorable experiences and enhancing your connection to the natural world.
Every successful landscape stone project begins with a thorough consultation and personalized material selection process. Our experts evaluate your property’s unique characteristics—including architectural style, existing landscape elements, and site conditions—to develop recommendations tailored to your specific situation.
During this initial phase, we discuss your aesthetic preferences, functional needs, and budget considerations. This collaborative approach ensures that the final design aligns with your vision while addressing practical concerns.Â
We may suggest combinations of different stone types and sizes to create visual interest and fulfill various functions throughout your landscape. Our selection process includes visiting our stone yard to view and select specific materials.Â
This hands-on approach allows you to see the actual colors, textures, and variations available, ensuring that the stones you choose will create exactly the effect you desire in your landscape. Our extensive inventory includes locally sourced Colorado stone as well as selected materials from other regions, providing options for every design style and application.
Proper installation is critical to the performance and appearance of landscape stone. Our experienced teams follow industry best practices to ensure your installation looks beautiful from day one and continues to perform well for years to come.
The process begins with thorough site preparation, including excavation, grading to ensure proper drainage, and compaction of base materials where needed. For pathways and patios, this foundation work is capital to prevent settling and shifting that could compromise the finished surface.Â
For decorative stone placements, we carefully consider viewing angles and relationships to other landscape elements to create the most appealing composition.
Throughout the installation, our craftsmen pay meticulous attention to details such as proper stone placement, secure setting, and aesthetic arrangement. These technical aspects ensure that your stone landscape features will perform their functional roles reliably while maintaining their beauty for years to come.Â
Our commitment to quality craftsmanship is evident in every aspect of the installation, from the invisible foundation work to the finished appearance of the stone surfaces.
While landscape stone requires minimal maintenance compared to many other landscaping options, some basic care will help keep your installation looking its best for years to come. After completion, we provide detailed guidance on how to maintain your new stone landscape features.
For stone pathways and patios, occasional sweeping or rinsing with a hose removes debris and prevents organic material from accumulating between stones. For gravel areas, periodic raking helps maintain an even surface and refreshes the appearance. Larger stone features may benefit from occasional cleaning to remove algae or moss in shaded areas, though many homeowners appreciate the natural patina that develops over time.
For installations that include plants among the stone landscaping, we provide specific care instructions for each species, including watering recommendations and pruning guidelines. This integrated approach ensures that both the hardscape and softscape elements of your landscape thrive together, creating a harmonious and sustainable outdoor environment.
Colorado’s climate demands durable materials that can withstand freeze-thaw cycles, intense sun, and occasional severe weather. Locally sourced stones like Colorado sandstone, granite, and quartzite are naturally adapted to our climate and provide excellent durability.Â
For pathways and patios, denser stones like granite and quartzite offer superior resistance to wear and weather effects. For decorative applications, virtually any natural stone will perform well when properly installed. During your consultation, we’ll recommend specific stone types based on your project’s requirements and location on your property.
Stone pricing varies significantly depending on type, quality, and source. As a general guideline, decorative gravel typically ranges from $60-$120 per ton (covering approximately 100 square feet at 2″ depth). Flagstone ranges from $15-$30 per square foot installed, depending on stone type and installation complexity.Â
Boulders are typically priced individually based on size, with landscape specimens ranging from $100-$1,000+ each. During your consultation, we’ll provide detailed pricing for your specific project based on material choices and installation requirements.
One of stone’s greatest advantages is its minimal maintenance requirements. Unlike wood that needs staining or replacing, or plants that need regular care, stone remains relatively unchanged for decades.Â
Basic maintenance includes occasional cleaning to remove debris, moss, or algae (particularly in shaded areas), and periodic checking of structural elements like retaining walls for any shifting. Gravel paths may need occasional raking or topping up every few years. We provide detailed maintenance guidelines specific to your installation upon project completion.
While DIY installation is possible for simple projects like decorative stone placement, professional installation is recommended for most applications. Proper base preparation, drainage consideration, and technical knowledge are essential for long-lasting results, particularly for functional elements like pathways, patios, and retaining walls.Â
Professional installation ensures proper structural support, drainage, and aesthetic placement that will perform well for decades. Our experienced teams have the specialized equipment and expertise to handle heavy materials safely and efficiently, creating results that far exceed typical DIY capabilities.
When properly designed, stone landscaping can significantly improve property drainage. Permeable surfaces like gravel allow water to infiltrate rather than run off, reducing erosion and water accumulation. Stone drainage features like dry creek beds can channel water away from structures and vulnerable areas.Â
However, impermeable stone installations like mortared patios need proper grading and drainage consideration to prevent water issues. Our design process includes comprehensive drainage planning to ensure your stone landscape features enhance rather than hinder proper water management on your property.
Natural stone is one of the most durable landscape materials available, with a lifespan measured in decades or even centuries. Unlike manufactured materials that deteriorate from UV exposure or freeze-thaw cycles, quality stone maintains its structural integrity and appearance indefinitely.Â
The limiting factor is typically the installation method rather than the stone itself—properly installed stone features with appropriate base preparation and drainage can last a lifetime with minimal maintenance. This exceptional longevity makes stone one of the most cost-effective landscape investments available, despite its higher initial cost compared to some alternatives.
By choosing Browne Associates for your landscape stone needs, you’re ensuring that your property receives the highest standard of care and attention.Â
Our commitment to quality materials, expert installation, and customer satisfaction sets us apart in the industry. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and start creating a stunning, durable stone landscape that not only enhances your property’s value but also enriches your outdoor experience.