Style and Contrast For Modern Garden Design
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate
Geological name(s):
Metamorphic rock
Other Name(s):
Panda stone, panda pebbles, black and white gravel, panda chippings, zebra gravel
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Panda gravel, also known as panda stone, is a mid-priced and hard-wearing decorative aggregate characterised by the pronounced differences between the white, black and charcoal-coloured stones. This blend imparts a contemporary and vibrant look, making it a dynamic choice when used in landscaping and outdoor design.
This comprehensive encyclopaedia listing about panda gravel, a hardscape 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.
Panda Gravel Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stone | 20mm |
durability | fish friendly | eco friendly | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-degradable | Neutral |
Material
Marble and basalt
Colour
Black, white and grey
Shape
Angular
Size Range
20mm (0.8")
20mm panda gravel, panda gravel 20mm, panda grey 20mm
Fall Safety
Unsuitable for play surfaces
Price
Mid
Durability
High
Fish Friendly
No
Eco-friendly
Yes
Degradability
Non-degradable
pH
Neutral
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Decorative aggregates, like panda gravel, offer practical and aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance solutions tsuitable for a wide range of landscaping designs and applications. They're incredibly hard-wearing due to their marble content, making them durable and an ideal choice for high-traffic areas such as pathways and drives. They improve drainage, aid in moisture retention and suppress weeds.
Panda gravel is renowned for its modern look and marble properties, providing an elegant and contemporary finish. Its unique colour palette, comprising dark grey, black and white tones, creates a striking contrast in any setting.
Applications
This black and white garden gravel is one of the most highly versatile products, making it perfect for pathways, driveways, water features and as a top dressing for pots and planters. Its unique colour scheme lends itself well to modern garden designs and complements a range of materials, decorative stones, and plants. Think white or black garden furniture on a panda gravel patio.
In the following section, we list many common panda gravel uses. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic is available.
Inspiration and Informational Articles
DIY-Friendly How-To Guides
Other Applications
Some other excellent applications for panda stone products include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that panda stone gravel may not be suitable for:
- 1Areas 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.
- 2Aquascaping due to the alkaline effect on water pH posing harm to aquatic life.
- 3Play surfaces
Similar Alternatives to Panda Gravel
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to panda stone. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
black, red, white | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | rounded | UK, USA | |||
grey, blue | 10-40mm (0.4-1.6") | flaky, flat | UK, USA, EU | |||
blue, white | 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
When used with weed control fabrics to suppress weeds, panda gravel can significantly reduce the time spent on garden upkeep, with most work limited to raking and the occasional removal of debris. It is recommended to occasionally power wash the product in order to maintain its original colour and prevent the buildup of algae or moss. Natural quarry materials may also have dust which should be washed off with water during installation. For areas with heavy foot traffic, such as paths or footpaths, replenishing the chippings may be necessary over time to maintain depth and coverage.
For more on how to clean gravel, read our article: how to clean garden stones.
Purchasing Tips
When purchasing panda gravel, consider the size options and quantity necessary for your project. 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 different sizes; for instance, panda gravel 20mm is typically used for driveways while smaller, 10mm gravel is best for footpaths.
Our gravel calculator will give you a quick and unbiased estimate for your project needs just by taking a few measurements of the space. It is one of the best and easiest ways to order the right amount and helps avoid shortfalls or over-spending. Purchasing a panda gravel bulk bag or ordering in loose loads can offer better value than purchasing in smaller quantities. Therefore, calculating accurately can save both time and money. It is also important to consider the delivery aspects, including vehicle access to the site. Additionally, you should check stock availability and factor in VAT and transportation costs if applicable.
FAQs
How deep should a gravel path be?
For optimal stability and appearance, a gravel path should have a depth of about 50mm (2 inches). This depth provides sufficient coverage while preventing excessive shifting of the gravel.
Is panda gravel the same as black ice?
It depends on the supplier. Panda gravel's black, white and grey colouration and marble properties characterise panda gravel, whereas black ice gravel is sometimes distinguished by a mixture of black, grey and blue chippings.
What size gravel is best for gravel grids?
For gravel grids, a size range of 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") is ideal. This size ensures the gravel fits snugly within the grids, providing stability and preventing displacement.
