In the traditional Japanese garden, gravel represents water. The contours of raking add to the illusion of flowing.
This flowing, organic nature of gravel is present whether raked or not. The way gravel gives underfoot in walkways allows gardens a more natural aspect than would concrete or other continuous material. For this reason gravel also serves as an excellent transition or border.
Gravel allows for a wider color and texture palette. It's also less expensive than concrete paving and allows for more changeability.
The renowned Dungeness, Kent garden at the home of deceased filmmaker Derek Jarman uses gravel to great effect.
The grounds reflect the landscape of the surrounding environment. It's locale of coastal Dungeness is an area which straddles miles of so-called shingle beach and pebbled rock headland, a landscape often described as zen apocalyptic.
Gravel works visually with any plant material and modulates well in open spaces with a controlled visual flow.
Gravel can offer dynamic color accents out of the range of neutral concrete.
These curious pavers were salvaged from a felled diseased eucalyptus tree.
Gravel provides a visual range that includes quiet zen, Mediterranean stoic, desert severe, worldly, other worldly, and just about anything else yet unimagined.
