Petals scattered across a grassy lawn and stone path, with a small ivy-covered structure and rocks visible in the foreground. Sunlight casts shadows across the yard.

The wind swirled and roiled, ratting each leaf and limb. Petals littered the ground like confetti while catkins rained down like ticker tape. The landscape seemed almost celebratory in the wake of another building storm.

Cluster of small, white flowers with light pink tinges, surrounded by green leaves, in bright sunlight. The background is blurred, showing hints of more greenery and garden soil.

Nature is dynamic and adept at change. Plants come and go with the changing seasons. They bloom, set seed, and fizzle. Some return year after year, while some only last a season, but gardening can be more than just plants.

A large rock sits among green leafy plants and shrubs in a garden, with dense foliage and greenery in the background.

Landscape boulders make great focal points while providing texture, form, structure, height, and color. They create great visual and textural contrast, and can serve as an anchor to tie a landscape together.

Large stones form a fire pit filled with twigs. Two wooden chairs and a bench sit in the background on a gravel surface, with green grass and a wooden fence behind them.

In addition to their aesthetic value, boulders can also be quite utilitarian. They can aid in soil erosion or be used to create borders, retaining walls, fire pits, seating, pathways, and water features.

A garden with green shrubs, a tree, a large rock, and ornamental grasses. In the background, there are yellow bushes, grass, and part of a white house.

When placed in a landscape, boulders shouldn’t float atop the surface. Instead, they should be nestled into the soil for a more natural look. Using local, native boulders lend a more organic look and reflect the natural surroundings.

Three large rocks are placed on soil among green shrubs and a small tree, with a wooden fence in the background.

Size and scale should be considered when choosing and siting boulders. Don’t be afraid to go big to make a grand statement, and consider grouping boulders of various sizes and shapes for further interest.

A large, smooth gray rock sits on wood mulch in a garden, surrounded by trimmed bushes, purple flowers, and patches of green grass.

Boulders are beautiful, practical and very low maintenance. Each one as unique as you! Contact Sweeney’s today, and we’ll help you choose and site these beauties for a wonderful addition to your landscape and gardens.

Plant of the Week

A dense cluster of small, light purple flowers with green leaves in the background, creating a colorful ground cover in a garden setting.

Rock Soapwort

Low growing perennial forms a lovely carpet of starry, bright pink flowers late Spring – early Summer amongst bright green foliage.  Prefers full sun, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 6-8″ tall and 12-18″ wide.  Works well in a rock garden or as a groundcover.  Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

“May your boulders be your blessings. May you be able to embrace them. And may you find what’s extraordinary in yourself.”
-Aron Ralston

Well wishes,

Kim Sweeney