When many think of gravel, small, powdery looking gray stones tend to come to mind, however, there are many other varieties of gravel to select from when planning your next project. Some gravel is gray, but some is tan, red, white, or even black. You can get river rocks to fill your garden beds, or slate chips for craft a xeriscape. Gravel comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and uses. Many types of gravel are used in the construction of patios, walkways, and other outdoor surfaces, while others are decorative, and are intended to stand alone.
Slate chips are a thin, flat gravel with a dark gray to blue color scale. They provide a classy look, and are easy to walk on since they lay flat. They are common in xeriscapes since they look upscale and tend to draw in the eye.
Limestone gravel is probably what comes to mind when you think of gravel. With its medium gray color, and jagged, industrial look, It is not the most aesthetically appealing, but it serves many purposes in the landscape. Whenever a patio, retaining wall, fire place, or other hardscape project is built, you can rely on 3/4" limestone gravel to act as fill and a permeable foundation.
If you have tastes for more exotic materials, lava rock may pique your interest. With its porous form, and vibrant black or red colors, lava adds plenty of interest wherever you use it around the home. They are frequently used in gas powered fire pits, since they provide an elegant fill around the burner.
River rock is just what it sounds like. Some varieties are tan to brown, while others are in the gray to blue range. They are smooth stones that have been shaped for many years in a river bed to give them their unique shape and color. There are several sizes of river rock available, some get up to 1' long pieces, while others stay in the 2-4" range.