In the past, if you wanted colour in your garden you had to grow flowers or foliage contrast plants. However, it is now possible to create striking effects anywhere in the backyard using a new range of colourful mulches and pebbles. Don thinks that these new products will make garden design very exciting in the future.

Pebbles

Pebbles and gravels come in many different sizes, and range in colour from jet black through to blues, golds, pinks, white and even some that look very much like duck eggs! These pebbles can be used outdoors to edge paved areas or create patterns in concrete. The colour is enhanced when the pebbles are wet, so they make stunning backdrops for fountains. Inside the house, pebbles and gravel can be used in stylish table settings, floral arrangements and artworks. Many of the pebbles are made by recycling waste pieces of rock, so it is environmentally friendly to use them.

Mulches

The new mulches are made from recycled timber and waste softwood chips, which are then coloured to give them an attractive, uniform appearance. The standard colours available are red, cedar, green, blue, orange, black and yellow, but mulch can be coloured to order. After 12-18 months when the mulch starts to fade it can be raked over to revitalise the colour.

When the colour fades completely it can be resprayed in situ.

Cost and availability

Pebbles and gravels are available at landscape suppliers. 5kg bags cost around $15-$22, and 20kg bags are priced from $60-$80. Other sizes are also available. Plain and red timber mulches cost around $50 per cubic metre and are widely available from landscape suppliers and nurseries. Unusual coloured timber mulches (such as blue, black and green) are $80 per cubic metre and are manufactured and supplied by Australian Native Landscapes in Sydney, phone: 13 14 58. They can also be ordered through local nurseries and landscape suppliers.

Further reading

For decorating ideas using pebbles and gravel inside the home, see Rita Hill's article in the February edition of the Burke's Backyard magazine. Back issues are available for $4.60 each. Make cheques payable to ACP Direct and send to Burke's Backyard, Reply Paid 3508, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia (postage free in Australia).

Copyright 2001 CTC Productions