Natural Stone for Landscaping: Uses, Sourcing & Maintenance Tips
Natural stone is a top choice for landscaping in Southwestern Ontario thanks to its durability, aesthetic appeal, and natural texture. From patios and walkways to retaining walls and garden edging, different types of stone serve different functions—each with their own strengths, care needs, and visual appeal.
In this guide, we cover the most popular natural stone types used in landscaping, how they’re sourced and delivered, which projects they’re suited for, and how to keep them looking their best for years to come.
Flagstone
- Appearance: Flat, irregular slabs in earthy shades like grey, brown, and rust.
- Best Used For: Patios, stepping stones, pool surrounds, and walkways.
- Key Benefits: Natural, organic look and
- Watch Out For: Can become slippery when wet; requires solid base preparation.
- Maintenance Tip: Sweep regularly and reinstall polymeric sand every 2–3 years to prevent staining, erosion and weed growth.
Limestone
- Appearance: Smooth and uniform; usually light grey, beige, or buff.
- Best Used For: Garden walls, coping, and steps.
- Key Benefits: Clean, consistent look that suits formal garden designs.
- Watch Out For: Softer than granite—vulnerable to wear in freeze-thaw cycles if unsealed.
- Maintenance Tip: Avoid acidic cleaners that can etch the surface.
Granite
- Appearance: Dense, crystalline stone available in greys, pinks, and blacks.
- Best Used For: Retaining walls, steps, curbing, patios, and feature boulders.
- Key Benefits: Extremely durable, colourful, and weather-resistant.
- Watch Out For: Most expensive of the natural stone options, heavy and expensive to transport; often requires machinery.
- Maintenance Tip: Easy to care for—wash with water and mild soap to maintain appearance.
River Rock
Can be composed of granite or limestone and comes in various sizes. (Same with flagstone)
- Appearance: Smooth, rounded stones in mixed colours like grey, brown, and white.
- Best Used For: Dry creek beds, drainage areas, garden edging, and mulch alternatives.
- Key Benefits: Great for decorative ground cover and water features.
- Watch Out For: Shifts easily; not ideal for walkways or structural uses.
- Maintenance Tip: Use landscape fabric underneath and relevel periodically to maintain even coverage.
Fieldstone
- Appearance: Naturally weathered stones in rounded or irregular shapes.
- Best Used For: Dry-stacked garden walls, accent rocks, and borders.
- Key Benefits: Ideal for cottage-style or informal gardens.
- Watch Out For: Uneven shapes make installation more time-consuming.
- Maintenance Tip: Pull weeds regularly and reposition stones yearly to prevent shifting.
Sandstone
- Appearance: Textured stone in warm tones like red, tan, or gold.
- Best Used For: Decorative walls, walkways, patios, and cladding.
- Key Benefits: Adds warmth and texture to garden spaces.
- Watch Out For: High porosity makes it prone to erosion and staining.
- Maintenance Tip: Seal regularly and clean spills quickly to prevent permanent marks.
Armour Stone
- Appearance: Large, rectangular stone blocks in grey or buff tones.
- Composition: Typically quarried limestone or dolomitic limestone; occasionally granite.
- Best Used For: Retaining walls, shoreline control, steps, and garden borders.
- Key Benefits: Visually bold and highly durable.
- Watch Out For: Heavy and requires professional installation with equipment.
- Maintenance Tip: Minimal upkeep—check for shifting and remove plant growth in joints when required.
How Natural Stone Is Sourced and Delivered
Natural stone used in Southwestern Ontario is typically sourced from local quarries in Ontario and Quebec. Some high-end stone varieties may be imported from other parts of Canada or internationally. The stone is processed in four main steps:
- Quarrying: Large stone blocks are extracted using controlled blasting or wire-saw cutting.
- Cutting & Splitting: Stones are shaped using saws and hydraulic splitters.
- Sorting & Palletizing: Stones are categorized by size and purpose.
- Transporting: Delivered by flatbed trucks to stone yards or job sites.
Pro Tip: Factor in delivery and handling costs when planning your landscaping budget; natural stone is heavy and sometimes fragile.
Choosing the Right Natural Stone for Your Landscape Project
Match the stone to your design style and functional needs:
- Use flagstone for naturalistic patios and walkways.
- Choose limestone for modern, clean lines in steps or walls.
- Opt for granite where maximum durability is required.
- Pick fieldstone for rustic, informal gardens or rural properties.
- Select sandstone to add warmth and colour to decorative spaces.
- River rock is ideal for low-maintenance mulching, dry streams, and water features.
- Armour stone adds structure and drama to large-scale retaining walls.
Maintenance Tips for Natural Stone in Landscaping
Keep your stonework looking great and functioning well with these expert tips:
- Seal porous stone types: Especially sandstone and limestone, to prevent water absorption and stains.
- Keep joints clear: Weeds and ants can degrade structural integrity—use polymeric sand or ground cover.
- Ensure good drainage: Poor drainage can cause frost heave or surface damage.
- Avoid de-icing salts: Use plastic shovels and skip salt-based products in winter to prevent surface breakdown.
Work with a Landscaping Team That Knows Natural Stone
Natural stone is a long-term investment that adds both beauty and value to your landscape. Choosing the right stone, installing it correctly, and keeping it well maintained ensures it will stand the test of time—through all four seasons in Southwestern Ontario.
Need help designing with natural stone? Our landscaping experts can help you choose the best stone materials for your space and install them with care. Contact us today to get started on your dream landscape.
