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 clouds gave chase and rushed overhead as 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 a building storm.

Close-up of wild prairie smoke flowers with pinkish-red stems and feathery seed heads, set against a blurred green garden background.

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 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.

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.

A circular fire pit made of large rocks sits on gravel, with a metal tripod over it. Behind, theres green grass, bushes, and a white house with red chairs on a patio near sliding glass doors.

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

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 cluster of tall, purple-blue flowers with green leaves, blooming against a white background.

Rock Candy Blue Penstemon

Upright spikes of bell-shaped, lavender blue flowers bloom amongst compact foliage June – August.  Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 12-18″ tall and 12-18″ wide.  Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.  Drought tolerant.

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

-Aron Ralston

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney