
Mix gravel with rocks of varying sizes to add interest in large areas. This technique also solved a drainage problem. The gravel path, edged on the right with 'Libelle' hydrangea and a bank of maidenhair ferns, straddles a cluster of large, flat stones that creates a bridge over a seasonal runoff channel.

Gravel is permeable, allowing adequate drainage for precipitation, yet harder and more aesthetically pleasing than exposed soil. Still, there are many types of gravel, and not all are suitable for landscaping. The best landscaping gravel varies based on the area of landscaping that it covers