Last Modified: February 9, 2024

Flamingo Gravel

Elegance in Modern Landscaping Design

close up of Flamingo Gravel

By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist

Classification:

Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate

Geological name(s):

Varies by supplier

Other Name(s):

Pink flamingo gravel, pink gravel, flamenco gravel, pink gravel stones, pink garden gravel, classic pink gravel, flamingo pink gravel

Overview

Flamingo gravel, also known as the beautiful flamenco gravel, is a unique and visually striking landscaping aggregate that offers a blend of elegance and practicality for outdoor design. Known for its stunning colours and versatility, flamingo gravel is a popular choice for those seeking to enhance their garden or landscape.

This encyclopaedia entry provides a thorough overview of flamingo gravel, a hardscaping material and construction aggregate. It details the product's specifications, accompanied by photographs, and outlines its benefits, applications, and incompatibilities as a landscaping material. Additionally, this entry serves as a gateway to a wealth of DIY resources, with a list of comparable alternatives, articles offering design inspiration and fundamental principles, and a collection of straightforward, step-by-step instructions for constructing your own hardscaping features.

Flamingo Gravel Specifications

material

colour

shape

sizes

fall safety

price

Stone

3- 20mm

durability

fish friendly

eco friendly

degradability

ph

diy friendly

Non-degradable

Alkaline

Material

Marble and dolomite

Colour

Rose pink & peach, white, blue and grey

Shape

Angular

1.close up of Flamingo Gravel.jpg

Size Range

3-20mm (0.12-0.79")
Flamingo gravel 3mm, 10mm flamingo gravel, flamingo gravel 20mm

Fall Safety

Unsuitable for play surfaces

Price

Mid-range

Durability

High

Fish Friendly

No

2.pink cream and grey decorative stones

Eco-friendly

Yes

Degradability

Non-degradable

pH

Alkaline

DIY-Friendly

Yes

3.flamingo gravel garden path

Benefits

Decorative aggregates like flamingo gravel stones offer many benefits for garden and landscape design. They are low maintenance, control weeds, provide excellent drainage, and add visual interest to any area. Their varied textures and colours can complement a wide range of aesthetics and add elegance, from rustic to modern designs.

Specifically, with its stunning colours - wet or dry - flamingo gravel is ideally suited for adding elegance and vibrancy to garden paths, driveways and borders. It's durable, weed-resistant when used with weed fabric, and provides a stable surface for general landscaping. Another compelling aspect is its solid compaction properties, making it an good choice for driveways and heavily-trafficked garden paths.

  • Inhibits weeds
  • Improves drainage
  • Hard-wearing
  • Eco-friendly, sustainable
  • Low-maintenance
  • Moisture retention
  • Versatile all-rounder
  • pH alkaline
  • Transform spaces fast
  • Unsafe for aquatic life
  • Root protection
  • Easy to lay

Applications

Flamingo gravel is ideal for garden pathways and driveways and as a top layer in plant pots for moisture retention and aesthetic appeal. Its colourful appearance enhances garden aesthetics, making it a popular choice in current hardscaping design.

In the following section, we list many common flamenco gravel uses, although it is not exhaustive. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic is available.

4.flamingo chips driveway border

Inspiration and Informational Articles

DIY-Friendly How-To Guides

Need to work out how many stone chippings your  project needs? Try our free gravel calculator.

Other Applications

Some other excellent applications for flamenco gravel include:

  • Base for terrace, patios or outdoor seating areas
5.flamingo stones under garden leaves.jpg

Unsuitable For

The following list represents the kinds of applications that flamingo gravel are not suitable for:

  1. 1
    Areas with fine plantings: If you have creepers or low-growing plants in your garden gravel can make it harder for these plants to thrive, as it may interfere with their root systems as they try to grow.
  2. 2
    Play surfaces
  3. 3
    Erosion control: On steep slopes or areas with significant inclines, the loose nature of the gravel can make it prone to movement which can be problematic on slopes.
  4. 4
    French drains: flamenco gravel is too expensive for french drains.

Similar Alternatives to Flamingo Gravel

The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to flamingo gravel. They may offer you a more suitable variation on the primary colour, a more economical option, or a close substitute for cases where the base material may be unsuitable for the project you are creating, e.g. limestone is not fish-friendly, where slate is.

Name

Colours

Material

Size

Shape

Availability

Price

pink, grey

Granite

3-20mm (0.4-0.8")

angular

UK, USA, EU

gold, apricot

10-20mm (0.4-0.8")

angular

UK, USA, EU

Pink Blush

pink

Stone

20-40mm (0.8-1.6")

rounded

UK, USA

pink, grey

10-20mm (0.8")

angular

UK, USA, EU

pink, brown, white

10-20mm (0.4-0.8")

round, angular

UK, USA, EU

pink

1-4mm (0.04-0.16")

irregular

UK, USA, EU

Under £80

£80-£120

£120-£150

£150-£200

£200-£300

£300+

Maintenance

6.raking garden shingle

Flamingo gravel is generally low maintenance, especially when a heavy duty membrane is installed underneath to suppress weeds, with most work limited to raking and the occasional removal of debris. Occasional power washing is advisable to maintain the original colour and prevent algae or moss buildup. 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 gravel may be required over time to maintain depth and coverage. For more on how to clean gravel, read our article: how to clean garden stones.

Purchasing Tips

7.Giants Causeway Northern Ireland.jpg

When purchasing flamingo gravel, consider the size of the area to determine the quantity needed. A quantity calculator can help estimate the correct amount— flamenco gravel bulk bags offer cost-effective solutions for larger areas. 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 flamingo gravel is typically used for driveways, while smaller 10mm flamingo gravel is better suited to footpaths. 3-8mm is designed for pebble-dashing or bonded surfaces.

Using our gravel calculator to get an unbiased estimate for your project needs is one of the best and easiest ways to get the right amount without the risk of shortfalls or over-spending - all you need is a few measurements of the space. Also, always ensure you consider the delivery aspects, especially the vehicle access to the site.

FAQs

Is flamingo gravel good?

Yes, flamingo gravel is excellent for both aesthetic appeal and functionality in landscaping and garden design. A flamingo gravel bulk bag offers great value and typically covers an area of approximately 12 to 15 square meters (129 to 161 square feet) at a depth of about 40mm (1.57 inches).

Where does flamingo gravel come from?

Flamingo gravel is sourced from quarries and is typically composed of crushed stone in a mixture of pink, white, and grey hues.

What is staffordshire pink gravel?

Staffordshire pink gravel is a similar type of aggregate, known for its pink and grey tones, commonly used in driveways and paths.

What is flamingo stone?

Flamingo stone refers to the same product as flamingo gravel, a decorative aggregate used in landscaping.

Why put gravel on flat roof?

Gravel on flat roofs helps protect the roofing material from uv rays and weather, aids drainage and adds weight to stabilize the roof structure.

There are many wonderful types of gravel and aggregates available for your project needs. Check them out!

About the author 

Ben Parrot is a landscape gardener and amateur geologist. He is the founder of Outdoor Aggregates, with the mission to create the first encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates. From natural stone through to decorative bark, these aggregates are critical to garden and landscape design, universally.

The problem: There isn't any place where all the different types of decorative landscaping materials and construction aggregates can be found, nor are the specifications of each type readily available. So, enriched by his extensive experience, and inspired by the timeless elegance and raw beauty of stone and rock, etched by nature's artistry over millennia, Outdoor Aggregates was born.