--- title: Desert Varnish Sandstone Boulders | Mid Valley Rock url: https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/desert-varnish/ business: Mid Valley Rock phone: (916) 363-4239 address: 5300 Excelsior Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 hours: Mon-Fri 7:00-4:00, Sat 7:30-3:00, Sun closed --- - [Home](https://midvalleyrock.com/) - [Stone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/) - [Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/boulders/) - Desert Varnish # Desert Varnish boulders Desert Varnish is a weathered brown and gold sandstone with lichen and moss growth, sold as boulders. Mid Valley Rock carries it at the Sacramento yard, where you can choose your own pieces; call ahead to check stock. Desert Varnish Colors vary by pallet and wet vs dry. See it in the yard. 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](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/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](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/boulder-landscaping/) show groupings that work. ## Size, weight and delivery Boulders are sold by weight. The guide to [boulder sizes and weights](https://midvalleyrock.com/rock-talk/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 ### Is it in the yard today? Stock changes with the quarries. Ask us and we will check what is on hand for Desert Varnish. [Is it in the yard today?](https://midvalleyrock.com/contact/?stone=Desert%20Varnish#quote) ### At a glance - **Category:** Boulders - **Sold by:** Weight, on pallets - **Pricing:** Call for today’s price - **Stock:** Changes often. Ask before you drive over - **Delivery:** Flatbed + forklift, Mon-Sat ### Good to know - Keep the lichen and moss side facing up and out where it can be seen. - Group boulders in odd numbers and vary the sizes. - Plan access for delivery before you choose the largest pieces. ### Keep reading - [Boulder sizes and weights](https://midvalleyrock.com/rock-talk/boulder-sizes-and-weights/) - [Boulder landscaping](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/boulder-landscaping/) - [Ponds & water features](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/water-features/) - [Water-wise yards](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/drought-tolerant-landscaping/) ### Visit or call - **Monday - Friday:** 7:00 am - 4:00 pm - **Saturday:** 7:30 am - 3:00 pm - **Sunday:** Closed 5300 Excelsior Road Sacramento, CA 95827 Arrive 45 minutes before closing so we have time to help. [(916) 363-4239](tel:+19163634239) ## Pairs well with Desert Varnish - [Arizona Sandstone Buckskin Flagstone / Tumbled flagstone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/arizona-sandstone-buckskin/) - [Walapai Chocolate Flagstone / Ledge and wall stone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/walapi-chocolate/) - [Gold Rush Ledge and wall stone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/gold-rush/) - [Mexican Pebbles Cobbles and pebbles](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/mexican-pebbles/) ## Desert Varnish questions Still unsure? Call the yard at [(916) 363-4239](tel:+19163634239). We are happy to talk it through. ### What kind of stone is Desert Varnish? It is a weathered brown and gold sandstone with lichen and moss growth. ### How are boulders sold? Boulders are sold by weight. Staff weigh your selection and can quote by phone or at the yard. ### Can you help place a large boulder? The yard can refer you to a crane placement company for large boulders, and delivery is available Monday through Saturday. ## More boulders - [Sydney Peak Boulders / Flagstone / Tumbled flagstone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/sydney-peak/) - [Moss Rock Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/moss-rock/) - [Tufa Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/tufa/) - [Lompoc Boulder Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lompoc-boulder/) - [Arizona Sandstone Boulders Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/arizona-sandstone-boulders/) - [Lava: Black Lichen Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-black-lichen-lava/) - [Lava: Red Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-red-lava/) - [Petrified Wood Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/petrified-wood/) - [Lava: Lace Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-lace-lava/) - [Lava: Planter Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-planter-lava/) [All boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/boulders/) ## Come see the stone in person Walk the yard with us, bring your measurements and a photo of your house, and we will help you pick stone that fits the project and the budget. 5300 Excelsior Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Mid+Valley+Rock&query_place_id=ChIJhQvD0VfCmoARcSXoEbY0WSc) - **Monday - Friday:** 7:00 am - 4:00 pm - **Saturday:** 7:30 am - 3:00 pm - **Sunday:** Closed