Desert Varnish boulders

Desert Varnish boulders bring instant age to a new landscape. The sandstone is weathered to brown and gold, and lichen and moss grow on the surface. Set into a planting bed, a boulder like this looks as though the garden was built around it. The warm color works with native and drought tolerant plants, and it ties in easily with tan or brown flagstone on a nearby patio.

Weathered brown and gold

The surface carries brown and gold tones from long weathering, with patches of lichen and moss on top. Each boulder shows a different mix, so it is worth walking the yard and choosing the faces you like best.

Placing boulders

Boulders are used as focal accents, in walls, beside waterfalls and around pools and ponds. A few well placed stones do more than a scattering of many small ones.

Set each boulder with its weathered face up and bury the base a little so it looks rooted. Our boulder landscaping ideas show groupings that work.

Size, weight and delivery

Boulders are sold by weight. The guide to boulder sizes and weights helps you picture what a given size means on the scale.

The yard delivers Monday through Saturday and can refer you to a crane placement company for large boulders. Call (916) 363-4239 to ask what sizes are in the yard.

Popular uses

• Focal boulders in planting beds
• Drought tolerant gardens
• Natural seating stones
• Accents beside paths and patios
• Dry creek bed edges