How to Landscape With Rocks on a Hill | eHow

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Gryphon Adams

Gryphon Adams began publishing in 1985. He contributed to the "San Francisco Chronicle" and "Dark Voices." Adams writes about a variety of topics, including teaching, floral design, landscaping and home furnishings. Adams is a certified health educator and a massage practitioner. He received his Master of Fine Arts at San Francisco State University.

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Hills present a challenge in landscaping. Without planning, the area may present an eyesore. Erosion, landslides, weeds, run-off, wasted topsoil, mulch, gravel and other topical treatments provide ongoing hassles without ongoing maintenance. Landscaping with rocks provides a cost-effective solution that can turn a hill into a pleasing focal point on the property. With some planning plus the right tools and materials, you can create a hill landscape that's an asset to your property.

Look over some pictures of hills with rock landscaping. Designs range from rocks that form planned patterns of abstract art to natural-looking landscapes where the rocks sit in the earth amid native plants to create the look of a long-standing natural terrain. Adding plants to the hill will help reduce erosion by creating a network of roots that hold the soil.

Choose what types of rocks and plants you will use for the hill landscaping. It may be useful to list the pros and cons of the materials you are considering. For example, lava rock comes in black and red and have the advantage of being porous and lightweight. They may be more convenient to carry up the hill than solid boulders.

Mark the desired positions for the largest rocks or boulders with plant stakes or tent stakes. Go down the hill and check the effect from different vantage points. For a natural effect, place the rocks in a random configuration with uneven spacing. For a more formal effect, place rocks in a pattern, such as a spiral, or space them evenly apart.

Dig a hole into the hill for each boulder. Make the hole large enough to bury at least 1/4 of any boulder or large rock. The larger and heavier the rock, the deeper you need to seat it in the earth to reduce the risk of a rock slide and potential property damage or injury. For example, if the boulder is 40 inches tall, make the hole 10 inches deep.

Place each rock or boulder in the corresponding hole and fill the earth back in around it. Stamp the earth firmly around the rock with your feet.

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How to Landscape With Rocks on a Hill | eHow