An attractive and economical ground cover
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate
Geological name(s):
Carboniferous limestone
Other Name(s):
Dove grey chippings, grey limestone chips, limestone chippings grey, Derbyshire grey gravel, decorative grey stones, Derbyshire peak stone
Overview
Decorative aggregates like dove grey limestone chippings lend a contemporary touch to landscapes, offering an attractive and economical ground cover along with many other practical uses. Recognised for its understated elegance and widespread appeal, this encyclopedia entry offers a comprehensive understanding of the key specifications, advantages, and multifaceted uses of grey limestone chippings.
This page will guide you to resources about design fundamentals, a trove of inspirational ideas, and instructions for DIY projects that utilise this versatile material.
Dove Grey Limestone Chippings Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limestone | 3-20mm |
durability | fish friendly | eco friendly | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-degradable | Alkaline |
Material
Limestone
Colour
Dove grey
Shape
Angular
Size Range
6-20mm (0.2" - 0.8")
10mm grey gravel, dove grey limestone chippings 20mm, dove grey limestone 20mm
Fall Safety
Unsuitable
Price
Economical
Durability
High
Fish Friendly
No
Eco-Friendly
Yes
Degradability
Non-degradable
pH
Alkaline
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Dove grey limestone chippings is a hard-wearing decorative aggregate with a clean, contemporary look. Its light grey hue reflects sunlight, brightening shaded gardens and creating a sense of spaciousness. Its superior compaction properties also make it ideal for high-traffic areas such as driveways and walkways. They provide a neutral backdrop that complements vibrant and subdued planting schemes. However, as an alkaline agent, they can harm plants that thrive in pH-neutral conditions and are unsuitable for acidic soil gardens and planted areas like beds or borders.
Grey limestone chippings are also very budget-friendly, meaning that you can upgrade your outdoor spaces with a visually striking, low-maintenance, and highly versatile feature without breaking the bank.
Applications
Dove grey limestone chippings is an excellent choice for a variety of applications. You can use them to create attractive and functional driveways, pathways, and patios. This aggregate is also a popular choice for providing contrast in rock gardens and as a base for water features due to its neutral colour and pleasing texture, they are not suitable for aquatic life. Grey limestone chippings are also widely used as a construction aggregate for pipe bedding, surrounds, and ready-mix concrete.
In the following section, we list many of the common Dove grey chippings uses, although it is not an exhaustive list. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic is available.
Informational & Inspirational Articles
DIY-Friendly How-To Guides
Other Applications
Some other excellent applications for dove grey limestone chippings include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that dove grey limestone chippings are not suitable for:
- 1Aquascaping due to the alkaline effect on water pH posing harm to aquatic life.
- 2High moisture areas like pond linings due to alkaline nature.
- 3As an alkaline agent, they are unsuitable for acidic soil gardens, and as a general rule, they are not suitable for use as a ground cover around plants and trees unless they are suited to alkaline soils.
- 4Some experts say that limestone chippings are unsuitable for french drains because they deteriorate and pack down like a sub base.
- 5Play surfaces due to the unforgiving nature of the gravel in the event of a fall.
Similar Alternatives to Dove Grey Limestone Chippings
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to dove grey limestone chippings but offer unique variations on the primary colour, offer more economical options or substitute where they may not be optimal for the project you are creating.
Name | Colours | Material | Size | Shape | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
grey, silver | Granite | 6-20mm (0.4-1.2") | angular | UK, USA | ||
grey, blue | 10-40mm (0.4-1.6") | flaky, flat | UK, USA, EU | |||
grey, cream | Limestone | 6-20mm (0.1-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | ||
dark grey | Basalt | 5-20mm (0.2-0.8") | irregular | UK, USA, EU | ||
black, grey | Marble | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU |
Under £80
£80-£120
£120-£150
£150-£200
£200-£300
£300+
Maintenance
Dove grey limestone chippings are generally low maintenance, especially when a weed control fabric is installed underneath to suppress weeds, with most work limited to the occasional removal of debris. Occasional power washing is advisable to maintain the original colour and prevent build up. Natural quarry materials also may have dust, which should be hosed off with water at the time of installation.
For areas with heavy footfall, such as paths or footpaths, replenishment of chippings may be required over time to maintain depth and coverage. For more on how to clean stone chippings, read our article: how to clean garden stones.
Purchasing Tips
Consider the size and quantity needed for your project when purchasing dove grey limestone chippings. Where available, it is cost-effective to request a sample to assess the stone's colour and quality against your design requirements. Also, consider the size you'll need; for instance, 20mm grey limestone chippings are typically used for driveways, while smaller 10mm grey chippings are better suited to footpaths.
Using our gravel calculator to get an unbiased estimate of quantity, and an accurate price, for your project needs is one of the best and easiest ways to get the right amount - all you need is a few measurements of the space. Ordering dove grey chippings bulk bags is often more cost-effective than smaller quantities. Also, always ensure you consider the delivery aspects, especially the vehicle access to the site.
FAQs
What is 10mm limestone and what is it used for?
10mm grey limestone chippings are small-sized angular gravel used for various decorative and practical landscaping and garden design applications. 10mm limestone chippings are typically suited for paths, decorative borders, and as a top layer for driveways due to its smaller size, which provides a more compact surface.
What is 20mm limestone chippings used for?
20mm limestone chippings are commonly used for driveways, landscaping borders, and patios due to their large size, which provides better drainage and a more stable surface.
How much does a bulk bag of limestone cover?
A bulk bag of limestone typically covers about 22 square metres (236 sq ft) at a depth of 30mm (1.2").
What colour are limestone chippings?
Limestone chippings are generally available in a range of greys, from light dove grey to darker shades, and sometimes in buff or cream hues.
Can you get grey gravel?
Yes, grey gravel is a decorative aggregate available in various shades, from light to dark grey and is a popular choice for modern and traditional garden designs.
What is Derbyshire grey gravel?
Derbyshire grey gravel is a type of decorative gravel or limestone aggregate primarily sourced from quarries in Derbyshire, England. It is known for its distinctive grey colour and is often used in landscaping and construction projects for its aesthetic appeal and practical purposes such as drainage and ground cover.
