Thinking of new ways to spruce up your yard? Or, maybe your backyard is full of rocks and you don't quite know what to do with them. No matter your intentions, there's a suitable, functional, and prominent rock feature that can transform any space!

If done correctly, your rock garden could easily become your new favorite decor. A majority of these designs are easy to maintain and even fun to make. Here's a list of 20 rock garden ideas to create a beautiful space.

Rocky Water Feature

Water feature in garden

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Being a lover of all water features, I always ask first, “Will a water feature fit?” Ideally, in a rock garden, you’ll use rocky elements for the water feature as well, for the perfect synthesis of theme.

Sealed Stone Pathway

pathway in the park

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If you love the idea of a stone pathway but have family members who tend towards clumsiness (no names, please!) or folks who often frequent your home who use walkers, canes, or other assistance, you can seal in that stone pathway in your garden. By “sealing,” I mean that you craft your pathway using assorted rocks or flagstones, then “grouting” between each piece to ensure a smooth path for all who travel there.

Zen Rock Garden

The zen rock garden Japanese style kamakura japan

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Probably the most classic and most well-known style of rock garden is the Zen rock garden. Create a winding path of gravel through the space, use rock walls and raised garden beds. Ideally, having a sandy area for contemplation.

And if you want to get technical, to have a true Zen garden, you have to include eight elements: bridges, flowers and plants, sand, stones, water, waterfalls, islands, and trees.

Koi Pond with Bridge and Rock Stepping Stones

decoration design with koi pond and wood Bridge in garden

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If you love the idea of a Zen garden but don’t have room for all the elements, a lovely smaller version is a rock garden that combines a koi pond, bridge (or mini bridge) and natural rocks as stepping stones throughout the garden. You can make the pond as large or small as you like and use exactly the right amount of space for your situation.

Moss Garden

Garden in the style of a Japanese Tea Garden with traditional planting

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If you’ve ever stumbled through the woods and found rocks covered in moss near a stream, you know the serenity and beauty associated with a moss garden already. They’re fairly simple to create and low-maintenance once they’re built.

Place boulders and rocks in your space – ideally smooth, rounded ones for the nicest aesthetics! – add some moss from your local nursery, then let moss take them over!

Dry Creek Bed

Dry creek bed with beach pebbles and ornamental grasses.

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For a dry rock garden for lower maintenance, consider creating a dry creek bed style garden. You’ll shape out the garden to look like what it sounds like – a dry bed – with quartz rocks and boulders, pebbles, and similar stones to give that natural feel. Plant some native shrubs and grasses nearby for the complete look.

Colorful Succulents Amongst Colorful Rocks

Miniature succulent plants

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Of course, succulents of all types are a beautiful choice for your rock garden. Specifically choosing succulent species that are bright and colorful and mixing them in with colorful rocks, though, can be a truly eye-catching design.

Stacked Rock Cairns

Beautiful stone garden at recreational forest park with bushes and trees in background.

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In your garden, you can create your own rock cairns. These are human-made stacked rocks of any shape or color, stacked on top of each other, largest on the bottom for support and smallest on top. You can do one big one to signify something special for yourself or do many smaller ones to just add some beauty.

Buddha Inspiration

A closeup of a small Buddha statue in a garden with a blurry background

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One lovely idea for a rock garden is making the whole thing Buddha-centric. Find a Buddha statue you love and plant rocks and plants around the statue in an aesthetically appealing manner.

Pathway of Pebbles

Mother and son Walking On A Textured Cobble Pavement, Reflexology. Pebble stones on the pavement for foot reflexology.

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Pebbles can be a really fun medium to work with in your rock garden. Specifically, creating a pebble pathway, lined by larger rocks or bricks can be a unique, lovely way to decorate.

White Rocks with Green Bushes

Agave, succulent plant with green leaves, white on the edge, pointed leaf and black sharp spines on the tip of leaves. Ornamental plant in the rock garden.

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For vivid visuals, consider using vibrant green bushes in your rock garden and bright white rocks surrounding them. The contrast makes for interesting visuals and gives a nice, clean aesthetic. You can even use cacti or succulents!

Rocks and Gravel Steps

Stone steps in a peaceful Japanese garden, sword ferns lining the stairs

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If you have any kind of incline in your yard, you might want to consider crafting some rock and gravel “steps” in your rock garden. They’ll add a unique aesthetic and distinct function.

Small Water Fall

landscape design

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If you’ve got some extra space as you plan your rock garden, you could add a rocky waterfall and small (or large!) pond below. Line the area with rocks of varying sizes, sink some stones into the pond itself, and create interesting flow patterns by adding some boulders into the pathway of the water bubbling downward.

Painted Rock Designs

Three decor colored stones on the old wooden floor. Hand-Painted pebbles. Art decor.

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If your kids want in on the action, give them some rocks in unique shapes to paint up. Just be sure the paints you use are weather-proof!

Turtle Steppingstones

 

Turtle fountain spitting water outdoors

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If you enjoy designs, you can craft your own turtle stepping stones out of rocks, cut patio pavers, or even bricks. Shape an oval for the shell, add a rounded piece for the head and then add diamond pieces for the legs and tail.

Although, this is no easy feat, so, it's understandable if you would rather buy a statue or pre-cut turtle.

Whatever Your Plan – Love It!

Before you get out there are start building your rock garden, I just want to add this one thought. You need to love the design you choose. Rocks are heavy and hard to work with. You don’t want to wobble around in uncertainty after you’ve purchased your supplies and started working.

Instead, go through the list and eliminate ideas you can’t or don’t want to do and narrow the list. Find the one that you love and can afford to do.