Choosing the Right Natural Stone for Your Landscape Design – Hardscaping
When it comes to landscaping in our region, natural stone is not just a design choice—it’s a practical one too. With several beautiful and durable options available locally, choosing the right stone for your project can make all the difference in aesthetics, longevity, and cost. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used stones in our area, along with their unique qualities and best uses.
Moss Rock: The Local Favorite
Moss rock is by far the most commonly used and budget-friendly natural stone in our area. Known for its earthy tones and rugged appearance, moss rock features a tan or buff-colored core with a natural “skin” that can range from reddish-brown to deep black. These stones are collected directly from the field and never processed or cut, which gives them a truly organic, irregular shape and appearance.
Key Features:
- Naturally weathered and uncut
- Variety of sizes and shapes
- Typically tan with red, orange, brown, or black staining
- Sourced primarily from Texas, with some darker varieties from Oklahoma
Best Uses:
- Boulders for landscape focal points
- Natural retaining walls
- Rustic garden accents
Moss rock is ideal for projects that embrace the natural beauty of raw stone and benefit from its affordability.
Limestone: Versatile and Classic
Limestone is another widely used stone in our region, available in several varieties—all sourced from Texas. The most familiar limestone comes from the Austin/Gerald area and is often seen on residential exteriors. This version is quarried and processed, which means it comes in uniform shapes with sawn tops and bottoms.
While beautiful, this limestone is also the softest, making it more susceptible to mold and discoloration over time—especially in shaded or damp areas.
Harder Varieties: We also use a more durable, white-toned limestone from another part of Texas that resists discoloration better than the Austin variety. Known around here as “Seneca,” it comes in natural-looking, 2″-3″ thick flagstone pieces—perfect for creating elegant borders that maintain their color and texture.
Additionally, limestone from the Lueders region in West Texas offers more variety in tone, including greys and tans. These harder limestones are sawn top and bottom and are well-suited for a broad range of applications.
Tumbled limestone offers a soft, weathered look that blends beautifully into natural landscapes. Its rounded edges and muted tones make it perfect for pathways, patios, and borders, adding a touch of elegance with a timeless, rustic charm.
Best Uses:
- Patio surfaces
- Walkways and stepping stones
- Clean, modern retaining walls
- Decorative borders
Oklahoma Stone: Durable and Distinct
If you’re looking for a higher-end finish with natural charm, Oklahoma stone is a fantastic choice. Quarried in slabs and then chopped to consistent sizes, this stone boasts a uniform thickness with all-natural edges. Its durability and beautiful earth-tone palette—mostly tans, browns, greys, and occasional blacks—make it a premium product in both appearance and performance.
Key Features:
- Very hard and durable
- Clean, stackable shapes
- Available in various thicknesses (1″–6″+)
- Color pairs well with moss rock
While more expensive due to quarrying and transport, Oklahoma stone’s consistent sizing means it can reduce installation time and material waste—making it a great value in the long run.
Best Uses:
- Stone borders and edging
- Garden walls
- Accent features and cleanly stacked walls
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re building a rustic garden path with moss rock or crafting a crisp, modern border with Oklahoma stone, choosing the right material is essential to the look and longevity of your landscape. Each stone we use has its own strengths and ideal applications. We’re always happy to walk you through your options and show real-life examples so you can visualize how each stone would look in your yard.
Want to see the difference for yourself? Contact us today to schedule a consultation or visit our portfolio for photos of past projects featuring these beautiful stones.
