Permanent Finish
Decorative stone does not break down like mulch, so it works well for long-term borders, utility strips, pool areas, and feature beds.
Guides
The Ottawa Homeowner's Decorative Stone Guide
A practical guide to choosing riverwash first, then comparing the other decorative stone options: granite, calcite, pebbles, brick, pond stone, roofing stone, sizes, installation depth, and what to confirm before ordering.
Why Choose Decorative Stone
Stone is best when the goal is a clean, long-term, low-maintenance finish with a specific colour or texture.
More Colour Choices
Riverwash gives a natural mixed look, granite adds red or black contrast, and white calcite gives a clean bright accent.
Good Drainage
Stone lets water move through the bed, which helps around downspouts, wet edges, pool borders, ponds, and low-maintenance side yards.
Clean Edges
With fabric and edging, stone keeps soil, lawn, mulch, and hardscape separated for a tidy finished look.
Riverwash Sizes Compared
Use the size to control how the bed feels: fine and tidy, balanced, natural, or bold.
Small / pea-stone look
3/8"-5/8"
Walkways, tight areas, small borders, drainage accents, and places where a smoother walking feel matters.
Small stone settles tightly but can travel into lawn or pavement if the edge is not contained.
Medium clean finish
7/8"-1"
Most garden borders, foundation beds, tree rings, pool edges, and decorative low-maintenance areas.
The safest default for residential beds: tidy, visible, and easier to contain than smaller pea stone.
Mixed medium-large
1/2"-2"
Feature beds, wider borders, drainage swales, downspout zones, and areas where stronger texture makes sense.
The varied sizing gives a more natural look, but it is less comfortable for regular walking.
Large feature stone
2"-5"
Pond edges, dry creek beds, large borders, culvert accents, and features where individual stones should stand out.
Greely notes that this screened size can include longer elongated stones, with some pieces varying up to about 7 inches.
Additional Sizes
Greely-listed premium riverwash sizes
Greely lists premium riverwash separately, but for most homeowners the practical decision is size and availability, not a dramatic visual difference. Confirm the current product before ordering.
- 5/8"-3/4" - Compact premium finish for small feature beds and tidy front-yard accents.
- 3/4"-1 1/2" - Premium all-purpose decorative size for borders, beds, and visible curb-appeal areas.
- 1"-3" - Premium medium-to-large texture for water edges, wider features, and bolder stone beds.
Other Decorative Stone Options
Use these when the homeowner wants a specific colour, stronger contrast, a water-feature stone, or a bagged accent.
Red Granite Stone
Warm red accent- Size
- 1/2"-1 1/2"
- Colour
- Red with black and white highlights
Drawing attention to trees, shrubs, front beds, and features where a warm colour works with brick or natural wood.
Black Granite Stone
Modern contrast- Size
- 3/4"-1 1/2"
- Colour
- Black when dry; darker and richer when wet
Modern homes, light siding, bright flowers, white calcite pairings, and beds where strong contrast is the goal.
5/8 Clear Red Granite Stone
Path and driveway accent- Size
- 5/8"
- Colour
- Clear red granite tone
Pathways, driveways, and smaller accent zones where a sharper granite texture is preferred over rounded riverwash.
White Calcite Stone
Bright white feature- Size
- 1/2"-3/4" and 3/4"-1 1/2"
- Colour
- Bright white, sometimes with traces of black granite
High-contrast beds, water features, pool accents, modern designs, and areas where the stone should brighten shade.
Semi-Polished White Pebbles
Bagged accent- Size
- 1"-2"; 10 kg bag
- Colour
- Smooth polished white
Small top-ups, planters, accent strips, water features, and spots where a bagged decorative stone is easier than bulk delivery.
Crushed Recycled Brick
Clearance / recycled- Size
- Confirm availability
- Colour
- Red-orange recycled brick
Bold recycled accents, small feature areas, and projects where the homeowner specifically wants a brick-toned stone alternative.
Roofing Stone
Functional pea stone- Size
- 3/8" washed pea stone
- Colour
- Small washed stone
Flat rooftops and functional drainage areas. It is not usually the first decorative-bed choice, but it is useful to know the option exists.
Ornamental Pond Stone
Large water feature stone- Size
- 6"-14"
- Colour
- Large natural river-stone blend
Ponds, streams, water features, dry creek beds, and large natural accents where smaller stone would disappear visually.
Which Stone Should You Use?
Start with the job the stone needs to do, then choose the size and colour that support it.
| Project | Best Starting Option | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Natural garden bed or foundation border | 7/8"-1" riverwash or 3/4"-1 1/2" premium riverwash | Rounded riverwash gives the most natural look and fits most homes without becoming too visually loud. |
| Modern black-and-white contrast | Black Granite, White Calcite, or a planned mix of both | These options create the strongest clean contrast with light siding, pavers, and simple planting schemes. |
| Warm red or brick-toned accent | Red Granite, 5/8 Clear Red Granite, or Crushed Recycled Brick | Red-toned stone pairs well with brick homes, cedar, darker mulch edges, and warm hardscape. |
| Walkway or stepping-stone gap | 3/8"-5/8" riverwash, 7/8"-1" riverwash, or 5/8 Clear Red Granite | Smaller stone is easier to level and feels better underfoot than large feature stone. |
| Drainage accent or downspout area | 1/2"-2" riverwash or 3/8" washed pea stone | These stones let water move through quickly while still looking cleaner than exposed soil. |
| Pond, stream, or dry creek bed | 2"-5" riverwash, 1"-3" premium riverwash, or 6"-14" ornamental pond stone | Larger stones create a natural water-feature scale and do not get lost in wide areas. |
| Small top-up over existing stone | Match the existing stone first | Different size, shape, or colour can make an old bed look patchy. Matching the current material matters more than choosing a new favourite. |
Decorative Stone Installation Rules
These are the details that keep stone beds clean years after installation.
Use geotextile fabric
Fabric keeps stone from sinking into soil and helps control weeds from below. Overlap seams and pin it before spreading stone.
Install a firm edge
Stone moves. Plastic, metal, natural stone, hardscape, or a clean spade edge keeps it out of lawn, pavement, and mulch.
Do not install it thin
Thin stone shows fabric, lets weeds establish faster, and looks unfinished. Smaller sizes need at least 3 inches.
Leave room around plants
Keep stone away from trunks and tender stems. Stone holds heat, so use extra care around shallow-rooted or delicate plants.
Rinse rounded stone
Riverwash often arrives dusty. A garden-hose rinse brings out the colour mix after spreading.
Plan access before delivery
Bulk stone is heavy. Decide where the load or bag can sit before delivery so wheelbarrow routes stay efficient and safe.
How Much Decorative Stone Do You Need?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Depth changes coverage quickly, especially with larger stone.
| Installed Depth | Coverage per Cubic Yard | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 3" | Approx. 108 sq ft | Minimum for smaller decorative stone and fabric coverage |
| 4" | Approx. 81 sq ft | Common residential depth for stronger coverage |
| 5" | Approx. 65 sq ft | Useful for mixed medium-to-large stone |
| 8" | Approx. 40 sq ft | Starting point for larger river stone and bold feature areas |
Quick math: area (sq ft) x depth (ft) / 27 = cubic yards needed. A 1 cubic yard bag and a loose cubic yard are the same volume; the choice is usually about delivery access and cleanup.
Supplier and Availability Notes
We normally source decorative stone through Greely Sand & Gravel and confirm final availability before ordering.
Greely Sand & Gravel
Ottawa-area supplierGreely lists riverwash, granite, calcite, pond stone, and roofing stone options. Product availability, colour mix, and exact sizing can change, so the final selection should be confirmed before ordering.
- Coloured Riverwash: 3/8"-5/8", 7/8"-1", 1/2"-2", 2"-5"
- Premium Riverwash: 5/8"-3/4", 3/4"-1 1/2", 1"-3"
- Red Granite Stone: 1/2"-1 1/2"
- Black Granite Stone: 3/4"-1 1/2"
- 5/8" Clear Red Granite Stone
- White Calcite Stone: 1/2"-3/4" and 3/4"-1 1/2"
- Semi-Polished White Pebbles: 1"-2" in 10 kg bags
- Crushed Recycled Brick: clearance item, confirm availability
- Roofing Stone: 3/8" washed pea stone
- Ornamental Pond Stone: 6"-14"
Common Decorative Stone Questions
The questions clients usually ask before choosing stone for a bed, border, or feature.
Is this only a river stone guide?
Riverwash is the main focus because it is the most common choice for CleanYards decorative stone installs, but the page also covers red granite, black granite, clear red granite, white calcite, semi-polished white pebbles, crushed recycled brick, roofing stone, and pond stone.
Which decorative stone should I choose for a normal garden bed?
For most homes, start with 7/8 inch to 1 inch riverwash. It is natural, tidy, and works with almost any house. Choose granite or white calcite when the homeowner wants a stronger colour statement rather than a neutral natural blend.
What is the biggest difference between riverwash and granite?
Riverwash is rounded and naturally mixed, so it feels softer and more natural. Granite is angular and colour-specific, so it creates a sharper accent. Red granite feels warm; black granite feels modern and high contrast.
Do all decorative stones need landscape fabric?
Yes for most new installs. A good geotextile keeps soil from mixing into the stone, helps preserve clean edges, and reduces weeds from below. Wind-blown weeds can still germinate on top and need occasional removal.
How deep should decorative stone be installed?
Use at least 3 inches for smaller stone. Medium decorative stone usually looks better at 3 to 4 inches. Larger riverwash and pond-style stone often need 6 to 8 inches so fabric is hidden and the bed looks full.
Can different stone colours be mixed together?
They can, but it should be intentional. Black granite and white calcite can look modern together, while random top-ups from different stone types can look patchy. For maintenance top-ups, matching the existing stone is usually the best move.
Can stone go around plants?
Yes, but leave breathing room around stems and trunks. Stone holds heat more than mulch, so it is best around hardy shrubs, ornamental grasses, foundations, and low-maintenance borders rather than tender annual beds that need cool, rich soil.
Want help choosing the right stone?
We measure the area, match the stone size and colour to the job, confirm supplier availability, and give you a clear written quote.