Landscape Uses for Lava Rock
- Lava rock is a natural material for your garden.lava rock image by Carbonbrain from Fotolia.com
Volcanic rock is all natural and has practical uses in gardens and landscape design. Pretty to practical, lava rock comes in a variety of colors and sizes. From small pebbles used as ground cover to decorative boulders, the natural beauty of lava rock is a welcome addition to your landscape. Purchase lava rock by the stone or by the ton. - Flowers burst with color in a garden lined with large lava rocks.osteospernum flowers image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
Large decorative boulders are light weight and easier to carry than granite, river stone or other rocks traditionally used in landscaping. As a hard scape feature, decorative boulders in the middle of a flower garden anchor the design and add interest. Smaller boulders lining garden plots offer variety in texture, color and form. - Large lava rocks are broken up into 1- to 2-inch pieces for use as ground cover.lava rock image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
Use small lava rock pieces in rock gardens or as general ground cover. Unlike bark mulch, which is similar in size, lava rock will not wash away. It is cleaned easily with a yard blower and will not fade in color. Over a ground cloth, lava rock is effective at controlling weed growth and helps preserve moisture in soil. - A large irregular lava rock filled with soil can house a bonsai plant.bonsai 2 image by Melisback from Fotolia.com
Large lava rocks are irregular in shape and sometimes have large pours or holes. A Bonsai tree placed in a large lava rock or surrounded by lava rocks in its pot is in a natural planting medium that will not break down and stays moist naturally. Mix tiny lava rocks into potting soil for natural peat. - Use lava rock to line the bottom of a pond for a natural fish habitat.Pond image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
Coming straight from the earth, lava rocks are efficient pond liners. They act as a natural insulator to heat in the warm weather and cold during the winter months. Lava rocks do not absorb the water nor do they release any substances. Wash lava rocks to remove any dust and debris that may have settled into the pores and that could harm pond fish.
