Get your gravel on

The eco-friendly material is having a moment

In recent years, the ancient practice of gravel hardscaping has gone decidedly modern. Over the last thirty years, garden pioneers like Sunset magazine have touted xeriscape, composed of permeable ground covers—generally gravel—and native plants. But, the tastemakers on Instagram have taken that to a whole new level, showcasing all-gravel hardscaping, like insta-famous @casa.mami. We’re predicting that the all-gravel landscape will be a huge trend in 2020.

One of our favorite aspects of gravel is that it’s water-smart. Water-smart no longer means drought-tolerant, which it is, but it also means that the material allows water absorption—critical for capturing groundwater and preventing flooding.

Most gravel on the market is made in the U.S. and has a relatively low carbon footprint (source). For an even more sustainable material with a similar effect, consider using crushed seashells underfoot.

By the Yardzen Numbers

Out of over 1,500 designs completed by Yardzen, 71% include gravel, ranging from decomposed granite to river rock.