Selecting the wrong landscape materials is easily the costliest mistake you can make outdoors.
It’s cracked patios, crumbling retaining walls, and freshly completed projects that look weathered after one winter. The right garden and landscaping products can change your outdoor space entirely — and keep it looking good for years to come.
…but there’s a catch…
First, you need to know which materials to buy. While most people spend time fixing their designs before thinking about materials, it should really be the other way around. The material you choose dictates everything from durability to drainage to how much annual maintenance your space requires.
Below, everything you need to know about selecting landscape materials is covered.
The table of contents contain:
- Why Material Selection Makes or Breaks Hardscaping Projects
- Comparing The Most Popular Hardscaping Materials
- Matching Materials To The Right Project Type
- Smart Tips for Purchasing Garden and Landscaping Products
Why Material Selection Makes or Breaks Hardscaping Projects
Hardscaping isn’t a joke.
In 2024, the hardscape market hit $98.7 billion. Demand continues to grow as homeowners and commercial property owners invest more money into their outdoor living spaces than ever before. But when you make such a huge investment, everything needs to be done right. Starting with the materials.
Choosing landscape materials determines:
- Structural integrity — will your project crack after the first freeze-thaw cycle?
- Drainage capabilities — will water pool on your patio or erode soil from your backyard?
- Annual maintenance needs
- Project budget — buying cheap now typically costs you more later
Working with an established landscape supplier in Hillsborough gives you access to high-quality garden and landscaping products. This means having the right material options at your fingertips for every project.
Whether your project is a high-end landscape design or driveway renovation, landscaping products are taking our country by storm. Landscaping product demand in the US alone is expected to reach $14.7 billion by 2028. So if you’re going to jump in, now seems like a pretty good time.
Comparing The Most Popular Hardscaping Materials
Not all landscape materials are created equal. Sure, there are some basics that get used for nearly every project. But let’s take a look at each popular option and the applications they work best with.
Concrete Pavers
First up, a personal favorite: concrete pavers.
Concrete pavers are the most common hardscaping material on the market right now. For good reason too. They’re incredibly strong and come in just about every shape, size, and style you can think of. The hard landscape market currently generates $23.96 billion annually, and concrete is the driving force behind most of that market share. Specifically, residential hard landscaping.
Did you know 59% of hardscape projects are done by homeowners? Concrete pavers are the material that powers patios, driveways, walkways, and so much more.
Here are some areas where concrete pavers excel:
- Patios, entertaining areas
- Driveways and vehicle parking spaces
- Walkways and garden paths
Pro tip: double-check the paver rating before buying. Some concrete pavers are not rated for vehicular traffic. Using pavers that aren’t rated for your project is a one-way ticket to Cracksville.
Natural Stone
While manufactured stone products come close, there’s really nothing that can beat natural stone in terms of appearance. Aesthetically it blows everything out of the water and goes great with any garden or landscaping style.
Bluestone, flagstone, slate — you name it. Over time natural stone only looks better and holds its value like a champ.
It does come at a cost though:
- Natural stone is expensive
- Installation takes more skill and time (Irregular shapes = more labour and cutting)
The overall project price is going to be higher, but when it comes to that premium look, few garden and landscaping products come close to natural stone.
Gravel & Crushed Stone
Gravel is one of the most underrated landscape materials available.
It’s cheap, perfect for drainage, and requires zero maintenance. And while gravel itself comes in many varieties and colors, here are some popular uses for it:
- Groundcover for garden pathways
- Behind patios and retaining walls for drainage
- Dry-creek drainage swales
- Fill for low-traffic decorative areas
Not all gravel is created equal. Depending on the look and function you’re going for, make sure you ask for the correct grade.
For garden beds, a decorative fine-grade gravel is a solid choice. For sub-base layers under patios and walkways, coarser crushed stone works better.
Retaining Wall Blocks
Retaining walls need special treatment. Regular bricks won’t do it and neither will traditional concrete blocks.
Poured concrete is always an option, but for grade changes of any kind, purpose built retaining wall blocks are the only real choice. Designed with interlocking abilities and drainage in mind, these blocks make building retaining walls a breeze.
Timber and Sleepers
Last but not least, timber sleepers add some nice warmth to any garden or landscaping project. Whether you leave them natural or paint them, keep sleepers in mind for:
- Raised garden beds
- Low retaining walls
- Steps
- Garden bed edging
Just make sure that if you’re using wood sleepers, they are treated and rated for ground contact. You don’t want your lumber rotting after a season of moisture exposure.
Matching Materials To The Right Project Type
This is where most people go wrong…
They decide they want their project to look like ‘material x’, regardless of where it’s actually being installed. Then surprise surprise, they have problems.
Avoid falling into this trap by using this handy guide.
Project = Material
- Patio or outdoor dining area → Concrete pavers or natural stone (foot traffic rated & freeze-thaw resistant)
- Driveway/parking area → Thick concrete pavers or asphalt (vehicular-load rated)
- Garden Pathways → Gravel, stepping stones, or small-format pavers
- Retaining walls → Retaining wall blocks (with drainage aggregate behind the wall)
- Raised garden beds → Treated sleepers, natural stone, or galvanised steel edging
- Slopes/drains → Gravel, rock mulch, or gabion baskets
Oh sure you can use just about any material for anything. But using the right materials for the job is what separates a durable 30-year patio from something that will need repair after three.
Smart Tips for Purchasing Garden and Landscaping Products
Alright, the material is selected — now it’s time to buy smart.
Don’t fall for these common purchasing mistakes.
Buy 10-15% Extra
Always order extra material just in case. Cutting mistakes, weird odd shapes, future repairs — they all eat away at your supply. Suddenly you’re short a few pieces and searching for the same material only to find out the producer changed batches three months ago.
Don’t let this happen. Buy the extra and have it stored neatly somewhere dry.
Batch Consistency
Depending on where you purchase your materials from, natural stone and concrete pavers can change color/texture between batches.
Always order from the same batch if you want to ensure color consistency across your entire project.
Match Your Base Material
Beautiful patio pavers installed on a weak sub-base won’t last long. Make sure you use proper road base (compacted correctly) and match the thickness to your installation material.
Don’t forget about drainage either.
Load Ratings
If any part of your project will see vehicular traffic or heavy-use, make sure that material is load rated for your desired capability. Don’t assume — ask.
Factor In Maintenance
Some types of natural stone require annual sealing. Some pavers stain easier than others. Think about how much work you want to put into your outdoor space before buying materials.
Conclusion
Picking the right landscape materials is easily the most important part of any project.
Do it right and you’ve got functional, attractive outdoor living spaces that can be enjoyed for decades. Skip this step and it’ll mean spending plenty of time and money outdoors repairing headaches.
Quick Refresher:
- Material decisions should be made based on your project/application
- Don’t skimp on sub-base materials and drainage
- Purchase from a trusted supplier that offers consistent stock and knowledgeable staff
- Order extra material, and make sure batch colors will match before you buy