Gravel garden: a different way of looking at the garden

There are plots of land that, at first glance, do not seem suitable for a lush garden. Some garden owners do not have enough time to dedicate to maintenance. There are sandy or overly shaded areas where it seems impossible for a lawn to grow. For all these difficult cases, and many others, there is the Gravel Garden, a different and unconventional way to create a garden, an alternative to the classic lawn that is suitable for many situations.

1. What is a Gravel Garden and what are its benefits
2. Conditions for creation and types of soil suitable for gravel gardens
3. Plants suitable for a Gravel Garden
4. Get inspired

What is a Gravel Garden and what are its benefits

A Gravel Garden is, literally, a gravel garden. It is an extremely eco-friendly alternative that adapts to many types of soil and requires little water and maintenance. It consists of an area of land where mostly Mediterranean plants grow within a section bordered by gravel. 

It is one of the most sustainable evolutions of the Dry Garden. In fact, the Gravel Garden is generally able to survive with very little additional irrigation, without any need for fertilizers or herbicides. In fact, weeds struggle to grow in this type of garden, as they tend to proliferate in rich, moist soils, while the conditions of the gravel garden and the drought resistance of the plants that make it up make it difficult for weeds to survive.

Thanks to its versatility, the Gravel Garden is also an excellent option for creating a garden on shaded soil that does not receive at least half a day of sun. Furthermore, this type is also suitable for planting drought-resistant crops.

Conditions for creation and types of soil suitable for gravel gardens

Any area can prove suitable for a gravel garden. The sunniest and best-drained locations are ideal for most Mediterranean plants, but, as already mentioned, the Gravel Garden is also suitable for more shaded areas, if created using the plants best adapted to this specific condition.

Generally speaking, a gravel garden can be created on any type of soil, but one that is predominantly sandy or gravelly is, naturally, the best suited to this style of gardening.

It is also important to bear in mind that a gravel garden is always preferable to paving in terms of ecology and adaptability to the environment. In fact, the use of a permeable aggregate such as gravel slows soil erosion, reduces runoff, and improves drainage and water retention, also reducing flood risks.

Plants suitable for a Gravel Garden

Mediterranean plants, especially those from the garrigue, prove extremely suitable for a gravel garden. In fact, this type of plant prefers ground cover with inert and calcareous materials that mimic their natural habitats, such as cliffs and rocky and sandy areas with generally alkaline pH levels.

The Gravel Garden can also be part of a regular Dry Garden, and perhaps even be used for areas with more difficult conditions. One does not exclude the other; on the contrary, their integration is visually very appealing and solves many problems.

Get inspired

There is a garden suitable for every type of soil. And the Gravel Garden can be a solution for many difficult conditions. Browse our gallery for inspiration, and then contact us to start designing your garden.

Contact us for a design consultation!