The Ultimate Guide To Cobbles And Garden Pebbles

If you’re looking to transform your garden, cobbles and garden pebbles are an extremely versatile and beautiful addition guaranteed to add texture, colour and visual impact to any design.

Cobbles and garden pebbles will enhance any area and add that magical designer-touch - so whether you are considering a beautifully natural textured border, a calming water feature or require an imaginative mulch, then garden cobbles and pebble stones are the ideal choice.

Cobbles & Garden Pebbles Uses

The variety of shapes, sizes and colours available means cobbles and garden pebbles are very versatile and can be used for any number of stylish outdoor features. They are particularly popular for use in decorative borders and the sheen and beauty of the natural stone when wet means garden pebbles and cobble stones look stunning close to water.

What can Cobbles & Garden Pebbles be used for?

• Ponds
• Borders
• Rockeries
• Small streams
• Mosaics
• Water features & waterfalls
• Planting areas
• Mulch
• Multi-textured walkways

What is the difference between garden Pebbles and Cobbles?

Cobbles and decorative garden stone pebbles are very similar; however, pebbles are usually smaller than cobbles.

Generally, garden pebbles can range in size from 20-60mm – in fact, they are a similar size to small plums. Cobbles, on the other hand, can vary in size between 40-100mm.

Cobble stones and pebbles look equally beautiful and work well together for just about any garden area. When mixed together, these gorgeous decorative stones create a stunning mixture of shapes and sizes which work particularly well around decorative feature stones and as edging.

Benefits of Cobbles & Garden Pebbles

Low Maintenance – Cobbles and garden pebbles are easy to maintain and require no watering or trimming – an occasional rinse with a hose will remove any dirt or leaves, however the rain will usually save you the work!

Drainage – Due to their size, cobbles and pebbles provide excellent drainage making them an ideal and attractive option for mulch or potted plants.

Versatile – Although cobbles and pebbles look particularly attractive in areas of water such as ponds and waterfalls, they can be used throughout the garden to create attractive decorative borders and edging, and their rounded shape and colour variety means you can create intricate patterns and mosaics.

Easy to lay – Decorative cobbles and garden pebbles are easy to lay and do not require planting.

Fish Friendly – Unlike smaller decorative aggregates such as gravel or chippings, cobbles and pebbles can not be eaten by fish making them even more ideal for decorating garden ponds!

Drought resistant – Cobbles and pebbles are perfect for mulch, helping plants to survive hot weather.

Choosing decorative Cobbles & Pebbles for your garden – styles, ideas and colours

At Decorative Aggregates, we stock a variety of stunning decorative cobbles and pebbles in a variety of sizes and colours to suit every garden style.

If you’re looking for white pebbles for your garden, Spanish marble Polar White Pebbles are very popular.  Their attractive, bright white colour featuring delicate hints of cream and rounded shape works well as an accent or contrast to any scheme - they provide a striking outline against darker aggregates such as red or green and perfect frame to ensure features stand out. 

Polar White Pebbles look particularly stunning against slate chippings, rockeries or monoliths due to the contrast they provide against the darker slate tones. Polar White Pebbles range between 20-50mm although, as they are natural stones, there may be slight variations in formation, shape and size.

For a larger yet equally attractive alternative to the Polar White Pebbles, Polar White Cobbles 40-80mm are smooth, rounded and bright, making them the perfect choice for stylish borders and landscaping areas.

If you’re looking to add a perfect finishing touch to highlight your flower bed or garden rockery or you’re looking to create an appealing ground cover – Pea Pebbles 20-60mm provide a lovely, natural finish. Also known as Trent Gravel, these delightful stones contain an incredible mix of beige, pinks, whites and browns. They look spectacular when used in water feature designs.

The large rustic beauty of  Scottish Garden Cobbles or Pebbles is made for water features. These stunning decorative stones are sourced from ancient glacial deposits in Scotland and consist of a lovely mix of gentle greys, browns, pinks, greens and whites.

Scottish Cobbles & Pebbles are well rounded and offer a gorgeously smooth finish. Stunning in garden water areas such as ponds, streams and at the base of monolith water features,  the beauty of the stone is magnified by water which brings out the natural stone colours magnificently. 

Scottish Cobbles are larger than pebbles and vary in size from 40-100mm whereas the slightly smaller Scottish Pebbles range between 20-45mm.

For a more irregular shaped decorative stone, Beach Cobbles are ideal for water or setting into concrete with their chestnut and beige shades.

We do not recommend using cobble stones or pebbles for pathways or driveways as they are slightly too large. However, they make a beautiful filler for multi-textured slab walkways.

How to clean and maintain garden Cobbles & Pebbles

Although garden cobbles and pebbles do not require maintenance, occasional washing and cleaning may be required. White cobbles & pebbles may require more regular cleaning due to their lighter colour.

To remove dirt and other materials from the decorative stones, simply rinse with a high pressure hose once they’re in place. As cobble and pebble surfaces are porous, the water will simply soak into the ground beneath.

Cobble stones and garden pebbles are regularly used around planted areas such as flower beds or potted plants, meaning leaves may build up on the surface. Lightly brush with a soft broom or brush to remove any twigs or leaves and rinse to restore the stone's natural beauty.

How to use garden Pebbles and Cobble Stones as mulch

Use natural looking cobbles and pebbles around your plants to create an attractive, modern look. Placing cobbles or pebbles on top of the soil will improve moisture retention during hotter seasons and provide insulation from temperature fluctuation.

Choose a vibrant colour such as stunning Polar White Pebbles to create a striking contrast or choose an earthy tone such as Pea Pebbles for a more subtle result.

To fight off weeds, a Weed Prevention Membrane can be installed beneath the cobbles or pebbles.

How to decorate your garden with Cobble & Pebble stones

Step 1 – Decide where you want to use your Cobbles or Pebbles

First, decide where you wish to use your cobbles or garden pebbles. The great news is cobbles and garden pebbles are very versatile and can be used almost anywhere in your garden.

Step 2 – Choose your ideal decorative garden Pebbles or Cobbles

Depending on your project; the size, texture and colour of the stone required may be an important consideration. For use as mulch, plant tops or mosaics, smaller sized pebbles may be more suitable, however for water features or as edging alongside gentle streams of water, cobbles look stunning.

There are so many colours and sizes to choose from, but don’t be concerned about the amount of choice. This is your decision and there is no right or wrong way to design your garden.

Step 3 – Mark out the area required for your garden Cobbles or Pebbles

If you are using your stones to decorate your garden with ground cover or as a border, you will need to measure and mark out the area required with marking spray or tape.

Step 4 – Clear the space and dig out an area for your Cobbles or Pebbles

Once you have measured out your desired area, whether it’s a border or ground cover, it is time to clear the area. 

Remove any weeds, loose stone or debris – and ensure protective gardening gloves are worn. 

Using a square edged spade, excavate the area to a depth of around 100mm.

Step 5 – Apply a layer of weed prevention membrane onto the soil

Once you have cleared space for the cobbles or pebbles, installing a layer of Weed Prevention Membrane onto the soil or base will help protect against weeds whilst providing excellent drainage. Better yet, the membrane can be cut to shape for more complex layouts.

Step 6 – Spill and spread the pebbles or cobbles within the prepared area

Using a wheelbarrow, move your stone of choice to the prepared area and tip the cobbles or pebbles. 

Once the decorative stones have been tipped, use a garden rake or similar gardening tool to evenly spread the stone – they should cover the area completely.

How much do decorative garden cobbles or pebbles cost?

At Decorative Aggregates, the price of cobbles and pebbles varies based on the type of gravel and delivery location.

Simply enter your delivery postcode on your chosen cobble or pebble product to see a price.

How to use left over garden cobbles or pebbles

The uses for cobbles and pebbles for garden applications are endless. Any leftover stone can be used to top off plant pots as mulch and can be used to create simple borders around the base of pots, trees, flowers or feature stones. 

What depth do I need to lay garden Pebbles & Cobble Stones?

For laying garden cobbles and pebbles, a depth of 100mm is recommended. This will also provide enough space for a weed prevention membrane.

Ready to get started? Stone samples are available

Remember - every garden is unique, so if you’re sold on the prospect of transforming your garden with beautiful cobble or pebble stones, it may be worth ordering samples so that you can find that perfect colour and texture for your outdoor space.

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