Bluestone: Rustic Rock

Rustic Rock shows the earthy side of bluestone. Instead of cool blue, it leans green and brown, and its edges are irregular and softened by tumbling. The look is casual and worn in, like a path that has been walked for a hundred years. It fits cottage gardens, woodland paths and older homes where a crisp cut stone would feel too formal. Plant thyme or moss in the joints and it settles right in.

The green and brown bluestone

Bluestone is a sandstone with a color range from blue to lilac to green-brown to gunmetal. Rustic Rock is the green and brown end of that range.

Those warmer tones blend easily with plants, bark mulch and wood fences.

Tumbled with irregular edges

Rustic Rock is sold as tumbled flagstone. Tumbling in a machine smooths and rounds its irregular edges.

That makes it comfortable for stepping stones and garden paths, and a good choice for seating edges. Learn more on our tumbled flagstone page.

Laying a rustic path

A soft base of sand and decomposed granite suits this stone and lets moss or low plants grow between pieces. Wider joints use less stone but leave room for heels to catch, so plan joint width with care.

If you use Gator Dust in the joints, it needs a 2 to 3 inch gravel base, and Anna recommends 1 inch of sand over the gravel. Stone is sold by weight and quoted by phone or at the yard.

Popular uses

• Cottage garden paths
• Stepping stones through lawn
• Casual patios
• Woodland walkways
• Borders with planted joints