If you're looking to add a rock ground cover to your landscape beds in Iowa, there are many different options to choose from. Three popular ones include river rock, trap rock, and buckskin rock. River rocks are smooth and round, which gives them a refined, appealing look and makes them a great choice for adding a decorative element to your landscape beds. Trap rocks are dark-colored and have a rough texture, making them ideal for creating contrast in your landscape beds. Buckskin rocks have warm, earthy colors in various shapes and sizes, which makes them perfect for adding a more rustic, natural look to your landscape beds. You can't go wrong with any of these rock ground covers; it just depends on the aesthetic you're trying to achieve!

1. River Rock

Green shrubs and river rocks in a landscape in Ankeny, IA.

River rock is a popular ground cover choice for landscape beds because of its sleek appearance. These rocks are smooth and round, which gives them a natural yet neat, refined look. They come in a variety of colors, including shades of gray, brown, white, and tan, bringing texture and visual interest to your landscape. River rocks are also durable and long-lasting, so you only need to replenish them when their color starts to fade or they look worn down. This makes them a low-maintenance option for your ground cover.

2. Trap Rock

Landscape bed in Ankeny, IA, with plants and gray trap rocks.

Trap rock is another popular choice for your landscape. These rocks are dark-colored, typically gray but sometimes with a blue or maroon hue. They also have an angular shape and rough texture, which gives them a unique and striking look. Additionally, their eye-catching appearance makes them a great ground cover for creating contrast in your landscape beds, as they can stand out against the colors and textures of your plants and other landscape elements.

In addition to their appealing aesthetic, they're renowned for being hardwearing and effective at improving drainage. Trap rocks are also resistant to weathering and erosion, ensuring soil stability for your landscape beds. That way, your plants have optimal conditions to thrive.

Trap rock is an igneous rock that forms from the cooling and solidification of lava or magma.

3. Buckskin Rock

Tan rocks, a boulder, and green shrub in a landscape in Ankeny, IA.

The third rock ground cover to consider for your landscape beds is buckskin rock. These rocks are highly versatile in their appearance, boasting warm, earthy tones ranging from tan to cream and reddish-yellow. They also come in different shapes and sizes, bringing a more natural, rustic aesthetic to your landscape. This allows them to blend in seamlessly so they don't take away from your plants, but instead make them stand out. With their durability and ability to stand the test of time, combined with their beneficial properties for plant health, buckskin rocks make a great ground cover for landscape beds.

Call us to schedule our rock installation service!

If you want to add a rock ground cover to your landscape beds, we are the company to call. At ETCH Outdoor Living, we offer a rock installation service to enhance the beauty of your landscape beds while also providing various health benefits for your plants. We offer a variety of rock options to choose from, including river rock, trap rock, and buckskin rock, so you can pick the one that best suits your aesthetic preferences. With us, you can trust that we have the skills and expertise to get the job done right, so you get the most out of your rock ground cover.

We offer our rock installation service to residential and commercial property owners, as well as HOAs, in Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee, IA, and throughout the surrounding areas. Give us a call today at (515) 735-3338 to schedule!