Creating a stacked stone flower bed border can add a beautiful, natural touch to your garden. Stacked stone borders provide structure and definition to flower beds while complementing the colors and textures of the plants and flowers. This type of hardscaping project may seem daunting to DIYers, but with proper planning, materials, and techniques, you can achieve an elegant stacked stone border that enhances your landscape.
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Planning and Design
The first step in creating a stacked stone border is planning and designing the shape and size. Consider the overall look you want to achieve and how the border will fit into your existing landscaping. Measure the area where you plan to install the border and sketch out the shape. Opt for gentle curves and shapes for a natural look. Rectilinear borders with sharp 90-degree angles tend to look less organic.
Decide on the height and width of your stacked stone border. Typical dimensions are 4-12 inches tall by 12-18 inches wide. Make sure to abide by any local regulations and codes for borders and hardscaping elements in your yard. The wider the border, the more stable and substantial it will be. Allow extra width if you plan to plant large flowers or bushes within the border.
Select a style of stone that appeals to you and matches your yard. Rounded river rock and fieldstone lend a informal, rustic vibe while cut flagstones or tumbled stones offer a more refined, elegant look. Large irregular boulders can create a dramatic stacked stone effect. Visit stone yards to view different types and sizes in person.
Materials
Gather the necessary materials before starting your project:
- Landscape fabric – lines the hole and under the stones to prevent weeds
- Gravel or crushed stone – fills the base of the hole for drainage
- Sand – fine layer above the gravel to level and fill gaps
- Selected stones and boulders
- Shovel and digging tools
- Gloves for handling stones
- Level
- Mason’s string
- Landscape adhesive (optional) – secures flat stones
Estimate the total amount of each material you will need based on the length and size of your planned border. It’s better to have extra than not enough.
Installing the Stone Border
Once you have all the materials, follow these steps to create your stacked stone flower bed border:
- Mark the shape of the border with mason’s string staked into the ground. Remove any existing grass or plants within the area.
- Dig a trench according to the width and depth of the planned border. Add a few extra inches of depth for the gravel drainage base. Level and smooth the soil at the bottom.
- Line the trench with landscape fabric to prevent weeds. Overlap sections by several inches.
- Fill the bottom 2-3 inches with gravel or crushed stone. Compact with a hand tamper.
- Add a 1-2 inch layer of sand over the gravel base. Smooth with a rake for a level surface.
- Begin setting the largest boulders and stones first around the perimeter to frame the border shape. Partially bury them in the ground for stability.
- Infill with smaller stones and pebbles. Create a natural irregular pattern. Place vertical stones occasionally for variation.
- Use landscape adhesive to secure flat-bottomed stones. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
- Fill gaps between stones with sand or small pebbles. Sweep off any excess.
- Sit back and admire your handiwork! No weeding required.
This table summarizes the steps for installing a stacked stone flower bed border:
| Step | Task |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mark layout with string |
| 2 | Dig trench for border |
| 3 | Line with landscape fabric |
| 4 | Add gravel drainage base |
| 5 | Fill with layer of sand |
| 6 | Place large perimeter stones |
| 7 | Infill with smaller stones |
| 8 | Secure flat stones as needed |
| 9 | Fill gaps with sand/pebbles |
Tips and Tricks
Follow these tips and tricks for a successful stacked stone flower bed border project:
- Choose a variety of stone sizes, shapes, colors and textures for visual interest.
- Wear protective gloves when handling stones to avoid scrapes and cuts.
- Use a level often to check your progress and maintain an even border height.
- Set the largest, heaviest stones first. Fill in gaps with smaller rocks.
- Bury stones deeper on the outside of curves or corners for extra stability.
- Aim for a natural, staggered stone pattern. Avoid a rigid, uniform look.
- Stand back periodically to check border shape and make adjustments.
- Sweep off excess sand or dirt from stones to reveal colors and textures.
- Group some plants and flowers within the border, and let others flow over the edges.
- Add stepping stones to create easy access to the interior bed space.
Taking care to properly prepare the base and allow for drainage will help ensure your gorgeous new stacked stone border will last for years to come. Place landscape fabric under the entire border, not just the stones, to reduce weeds long-term. Using a high-quality construction adhesive when securing flat-bottomed stones will prevent shifting. And filling in all gaps with sand or pebbles reduces chances of movement.
Planting and Arrangement
One of the great advantages of a stacked stone flower bed border is it provides ample opportunities for creative planting. You can tuck small flowers and trailing vines into the gaps and spaces between stones. Plant bushy perennials, herbs, and compact ornamental grasses inside the bordered bed. Let the foliage and blooms tumble gracefully over the edges of the stones.
Aim for a cohesive yet natural look with your plant arrangement. Repeat colors and textures to tie the composition together. As a rule of thumb, place taller plants toward the back or center, and lower, trailing plants near the stone edges. You can also frame focal points like garden art or water features with strategic plant placement.
Be sure to select plants suited to the sunlight and soil conditions in your yard. Drought-tolerant varieties like sedum, lavender, thyme, and succulents are good choices for hot, sunny spots with drainage. Shade-lovers like astilbe, coral bells, hosta, and ferns flourish under trees or on the north side of the house. Check plant tags for moisture and light requirements.
Annuals vs. Perennials
You can use either annuals or perennials within a stacked stone border, depending on the look and maintenance level you prefer.
Annuals offer colorful blooms throughout one growing season. Choose varieties like petunias, marigolds, zinnias, snapdragons, and impatiens. The main advantage of annuals is non-stop flower power. The trade-off is you must replant each year for seasonal color.
Perennials live longer than one year, re-emerging and often self-seeding annually. Popular perennial choices include daylilies, coneflowers, salvia, coral bells, and ornamental grasses. With perennials, you enjoy reliable return bloom without yearly planting. But they offer color for a window each season, not non-stop like annuals.
Weaving annuals and perennials together provides extended interest through seasons. Use perennials as anchors year after year, filling in with changing annuals for pops of color.
Winter Interest
When planning plant choices, keep in mind visual appeal during the winter off-season, not just the growing season. Foliage color, attractive seed heads, evergreen boughs, and striking silhouettes add winter interest.
Ornamental grasses offer tan, wheat-like plumes when snow falls. Sedums and hens-and-chicks maintain colorful rosettes in cold weather. Broadleaf evergreen shrubs like boxwood and holly keep beds looking lively even when flowering plants die back.
You can also incorporate garden art, pots, birdbaths, and hardscape elements like stone and brick patterns that remain attractive when plants recede in winter. This elevates a stacked stone border from a purely seasonal gardening element to a year-round focal point.
Maintenance
With proper installation, a stacked stone flower bed border requires very little maintenance. Here are some tips for keeping your border looking fabulous:
- Pull any weeds that manage to sprout among the stones right away before they spread.
- Trim back overgrown plants to keep growth tidy and avoid choking out other plants.
- Replenish mulch around plants each year to limit weeds and retain moisture.
- Remove faded foliage and deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
- Water sufficiently during dry spells so plants don’t wilt. Adjust sprinklers to avoid excess water on stonework.
- In autumn, cut back and divide overcrowded perennials and ornamental grasses.
- Refresh the sand or pebble fill between stones if gaps appear over time.
- Address any leaning or settling stones right away for optimal stability and aesthetics.
The stacked stones themselves require no routine care, remaining steadfast for many years. Keeping the border contained also minimizes the overall gardening area to tend and weed.
Costs
The primary costs involved in creating a stacked stone flower bed border include:
- Stone material – The biggest investment, varies greatly by type and quantity of stone selected. Allow $3-10 per square foot of coverage.
- Sand, gravel, landscape fabric – $1-3 per square foot for these base materials.
- Plants – Perennials or annuals to fill the bed, $5-15 each. Shop end of season sales for deals.
- Tools – Shovel, gloves, tamper, level. Can find affordable options or rent if needed.
- Adhesive – About $25 per tube if using landscape construction adhesive to secure stones.
The DIY project costs significantly less than hiring a professional hardscape installer, which often runs $25-100 per square foot. You can save money by sourcing stone from your own property or a local quarry rather than a retail store. The style of stone also impacts cost; river rock generally costs less than flagstone or cut stone.
Conclusion
Installing a stacked stone flower bed border brings elegance and refinement to your yard or garden. With some planning, sourcing quality materials, and proper technique, you can create this beautiful hardscaping feature successfully as a DIY project. The end result provides a polished yet natural-looking border that shows off flowers, plants, and other landscape elements to full advantage. A stacked stone border requires minimal maintenance while offering year after year of enjoyment!