Gravel gardens are the perfect solution for gardeners who dont want to spend too much time watering plants.
Not only are gravel gardens strong, but they can also look nice when they are carpeted with alpines, sedums, and other drought-tolerant flowers. In sunny places, they’re great for making a Mediterranean-style space, but they can also work in the shade.
Gravel gardens offer a versatile and low-maintenance alternative to traditional lawns and planting beds. Their neutral colors and textures beautifully complement potted plants, making a gravel garden with pots an ideal option for gardens large and small. The simplicity of gravel allows pots to take center stage, while also tying the space together with a cohesive base.
With creative design gravel and pots can be combined in endless ways to craft an outdoor oasis that fits your style. Whether modern rustic, or eclectic, these inspiring gravel garden ideas with pots will help you transform your landscape into a chic yet fuss-free retreat.
Benefits of Combining Gravel and Pots
Using pots in a gravel garden offers many advantages:
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Provides visual interest and pops of color against neutral gravel backdrop
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Allows flexibility to reposition plants as needed
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Enables you to control soil quality and drainage for potted plants
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Makes it easy to integrate flowering annuals and tropical plants not suited for planting directly in gravel
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Offers versatility to change out pots and plants according to season or preference
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Keeps plants neatly corralled compared to in-ground planting
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Provides height variation and architectural shapes not possible with gravel alone
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Allows inclusion of small trees, ornamental grasses, vines, and other plants unsuited for growing in gravel
Design Considerations
When planning your gravel garden with pots, keep these tips in mind:
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Select pots in a cohesive style and color palette for visual harmony
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Incorporate pots of varying sizes and shapes for interest
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Use drought-tolerant plants that won’t need frequent watering
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Include a mix of perennials, grasses, succulents, and woody plants for year-round appeal
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Position larger plants and pots toward the back, smaller ones in front
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Allow enough space between pots for plants to mature without crowding
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Elevate some pots on plant stands for height variation
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Group some pots together for impact, space others out as focal points
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Anchor arrangements with hardscape features like benches, boulders, edging
Gravel Garden Ideas with Pots
Now that you’re familiar with the benefits and design considerations, here are some inspiring ways to incorporate pots into gravel garden designs:
Succulents & Cacti Display
Hardy succulents and cacti thrive in the free-draining environment of a gravel garden. Use a mix of blue agave, echeveria, sedum, aloe, and other desert plants in simple terra cotta or concrete pots for a modern, low-maintenance look.
Eclectic Container Garden
Embrace your playful style by combining a vibrant mix of pot shapes, sizes, colors and plant varieties set atop a field of gravel. Include some reposited nursery finds or upcycled household items for whimsical planters.
Mixed Materials & Textures
Create visual depth by pairing sleek modern pots with weathered vintage-inspired planters and rustic wood crates. Use gravel, stones, finished wood and other materials in hardscaping features. Include plants with diverse foliage shapes and textures.
Gravel Pathway with Pots
Line a gravel path with an abundance of pots showcasing colorful perennials, ornamental grasses, herbs and flowering plants. Keep pots at consistent heights for a cohesive look.
Gravel Courtyard Oasis
Transform an enclosed courtyard into a secluded gravel oasis, surrounded by homes and potted lush tropical plants. Use gravel and neutral pots to keep the space feeling open. Add a water feature for peaceful ambiance.
Contemporary Zen Garden
Achieve a modern zen look with raked gravel representing water and solitary rock accents. Use just a few contemporary stone pots with architectural evergreens subtly placed like islands in the ocean.
Rustic & Whimsical
Handmade, crockery and galvanized metal pots filled with wildflowers and grasses pop against earthy gravel. Add vintage elements like an old wagon, wheelbarrow or shutters repurposed as vertical gardens.
Gravel Entertainment Area
Create a stylish gathering space with gravel underfoot, surrounded by low seating formed from boulders and stone walls. Scatter large pots of ornamental grasses and hardy plants to soften the hardscaping and add privacy.
Boho Chic Display
Embrace your free-spirited style with a vibrant collection of painted pots showcasing air plants, succulents and trailing greenery. Choose gravel in a natural hue to contrast with bold pot colors.
Minimalist Look
Keep it simple with a neutral color palette of grays, greens and cream. Use gravel and stone pots to lend a relaxed, Zen feel. Allow negative space around a few specimen trees, grasses and architectural plants.
Mediterranean Courtyard
Evoke the romance of an Italian villa with terracotta pots spilling over with roses, geraniums and flowering vines atop a bed of pea gravel. Add urn fountains, stone accents and decorative tiles for Mediterranean flair.
Gravel Kitchen Garden
Tuck herb gardens, vegetables and berry bushes into raised planter boxes and pots edged and topped with gravel to create tidy growing beds that won’t spread. Use gravel pathways between beds.
Caring for Your Gravel Garden with Pots
Gravel gardens and potted plants require minimal upkeep when thoughtfully created. Follow these tips:
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Use controlled-release fertilizer when potting plants to reduce maintenance
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Group plants with similar care needs like sun exposure and watering
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Check soil moisture frequently, especially for pots in full sun
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Deep water thoroughly then allow pots to dry out before next watering
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Trim back leggy growth and deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming
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Replenish gravel as needed if it gets kicked out of place over time
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Switch out annuals and tired plants for fresh replacements when needed
With the right plant and pot selections, you can craft a stunning yet easy-care gravel garden. This versatile, on-trend option allows you to make your landscape design vision a reality. So get inspired by these gravel garden ideas with pots and create your own fabulous outdoor oasis!
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Choosing the right gravel
When choosing the right gravel for your gravel garden, size matters. We recommend choosing gravel that is a maximum of 10mm in size. The smaller the gravel, the more it will move around, so if you’d rather have small gravel than big chunks, you might want to use gravel edging. Use old fence panels or pallet wood, pebbles, or even upside-down wine bottles to make something unique.
Your top layer of gravel should be around four inches deep. This will help keep soggy roots at bay. As a rule of thumb, use a tonne of gravel for every 12 square metres.
Pea gravel tends to be softer underfoot so more child and pet-friendly than other options.
Gravel is often touted as a great choice for the eco-friendly gardener. It doesn’t make flooding worse or add to the urban heat island effect (the way man-made surfaces keep heat in), like paving or concrete do. It’s also better for wildlife than laying a plastic sheet of habitat-wrecking, fossil fuel-based astroturf.
However, garden designer Jack Wallington thinks we shouldn’t rush to rip out our lawns: “No, the lawn is not bad, it’s quite important. It beats most patios and gravels because it’s alive; alive itself and with life, actively using and storing carbon.”
So, work with what you have, rather than altering your soil type to suit a gravel garden. You might want to try a woodland garden style instead if you have a lot of shade and heavy soil.
There’s also the matter of how gravel is excavated. If you want eco-friendly gravel that is rock hard, buy it from a trusted local source and from suppliers who are on the Ethical Stone Register.
Avoid gravel dredged from the seabed, where it contributes to coastal erosion and destruction of marine life. Instead, opt for recycled varieties. These are usually made from repurposed construction materials, including crushed concrete, brick and reclaimed gravel.
The advantages of a gravel garden
As droughts and bans on hosepipes happen more often, gardeners all over the UK may have to start using xeriscaping, a type of landscaping that doesn’t need as much watering. It’s already common on the West Coast of the United States, but a gravel garden doesn’t have to be in a hot, sunny place. A well-constructed gravel garden will have good drainage, making it the perfect match for rainy weather.
There are many advantages to a gravel garden. Whereas a lawn turns yellow and becomes parched without water, a gravel garden will continue flourishing. This is because gravel reflects the sun and moderates soil temperature.
Its also a great option for those who love low-maintenance garden ideas. Once established, you’ll spend less time on weeding and pest control, and more time enjoying your outside space.
When it rains a lot, a permeable aggregate like gravel slows down erosion, lowers runoff, and improves drainage and water retention, which lowers the risk of flooding.
Here’s everything you need to know about creating your perfect gravel garden…
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FAQ
What plants grow best in gravel?
What depth of gravel for a garden?
Can I put gravel on top of plant pots?
What to put under gravel in a garden?
How do I create a gravel garden?
Here’s how to create a gravel garden, no matter the size or style of your outdoor space. 1. Choose a site in full sun. A lot of drought-loving plants don’t require shelter. 2. Remove perennial weeds. If the area is large, a weed killer may have to be used. An eco option is to put down old carpet, but this takes longer.
Can gravel be used in a garden?
Gravel isn’t only for desert landscapes; it can also be used to define spaces in your yard or garden, serve as a foundation for container gardens, and add visual interest by using different colored and sized rocks. So is there any idea in this list is your pick?
What is a gravel garden?
Gravel garden ideas can create depth and bring structure to your garden, as well as add a decorative touch depending on what type of gravel you use. Whether it’s a path to your front door, a walkway that meanders around your back garden or a destination path that leads to a particular spot, a gravel garden path can enhance the look of your garden.
How do I choose a gravel garden?
Firstly, find a sunny position for your gravel garden – as this is best for drought-tolerant plants. Secondly, decide on the shape of the area you want to gravel and mark it out, including areas for planting. Make sure that you give the plants room to spread about. An informal, fluid shape is most suitable for this style.
What can I put in a gravel garden?
Rocks, boulders, metal edging, bricks, pavers, poured concrete, and even treated wood all work. Just make sure the border covers all edges of your gravel garden. The type of gravel you use is another key component to a successful gravel garden.
Can you grow plants in a gravel garden?
Usually, a gravel garden replaces the top 4 to 8 inches of soil. Many plants can be grown in a gravel garden, though the most popular choices are hardy varieties with minimal watering needs. In addition to reducing your watering burden, gravel gardens are also a good choice if you want to reduce weed growth.