Economical, Attractive and Versatile
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate
Geological name(s):
Carboniferous limestone
Other Name(s):
Dove grey limestone gravel, Derbyshire grey gravel, decorative grey stones, Derbyshire peak stone
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Grey limestone gravel, also known as dove grey limestone gravel, is an economical and hard-wearing decorative aggregate known for its distinctive appearance and versatility in outdoor design and construction.
This is a comprehensive encyclopaedia listing about grey limestone 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.
Grey Limestone Gravel Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limestone | 10-20mm |
durability | fish friendly | eco friendly | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-degradable | Alkaline |
Material
Limestone
Colour
Grey
Shape
Angular
Size Range
10-20mm (0.4-0.8")
Dove grey limestone gravel 10mm, Dove grey limestone gravel 14-20mm, Dove grey limestone gravel 10-14mm
Fall Safety
Unsuitable for play surfaces
Price
Economical
Durability
High
Fish Friendly
No
Eco-friendly
Yes
Degradability
Non-degradable
pH
Alkaline
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Grey limestone gravel is a decorative aggregate that can add a clean and modern look to your outdoor spaces. It has a light grey colour that reflects sunlight and can brighten shaded gardens, making them feel more spacious. This gravel is also very durable and can withstand high levels of traffic, which makes them ideal for use on driveways and walkways. It provides a neutral backdrop that can complement both vibrant and subdued planting schemes.
However, it's important to note that grey limestone gravel is alkaline, which means it can harm plants that require a pH-neutral or acidic environment. They are not suitable for use in acidic soil gardens or planted areas such as beds or borders. Despite this limitation, grey limestone gravel is very budget-friendly, so you can upgrade your outdoor spaces with a visually striking, low-maintenance, and highly versatile feature without spending too much money.
Applications
Dove grey limestone gravel is a versatile option that can be used in various applications. It can be used to create appealing and practical driveways, pathways, and patios. It is also a popular choice for rock gardens to provide contrast and as a base for water features due to its neutral color and pleasing texture. However, they are not suitable for aquatic life. Additionally, grey limestone gravel is widely used as a construction aggregate for pipe bedding, surrounds, and ready-mix concrete.
We have listed some of the common uses of grey gravel below, although the list is not exhaustive. If you see a hyperlink beside an item, you can find an article about the topic on Outdoor Aggregates.
Inspiration and Informational Articles
DIY-Friendly How-To Guides
Other Applications
Some other excellent applications for grey limestone gravel include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that grey limestone gravel may not be suitable for:
- 1Aquascaping due to the alkaline effect on water pH posing harm to aquatic life
- 2As 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.
- 3Some experts say that limestone chippings are unsuitable for french drains because they deteriorate and pack down like a sub-base.
- 4Play surfaces due to the unforgiving nature of the gravel in the event of a fall.
Similar Alternatives to Grey Limestone Gravel
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to grey limestone 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
grey | Varies | 6-10mm (0.1-0.4") | rounded | UK, USA | ||
grey, blue | 10-40mm (0.4-1.6") | flaky, flat | UK, USA, EU | |||
pink, grey | 6-20mm (0.1-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | |||
grey | granite | 5-20mm (0.2-0.8") | angular | UK, USA, EU | ||
black, grey | blend | 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 gravel is 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 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
When purchasing grey limestone 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, grey limestone gravel 20mm is typically used for driveways, while smaller dove grey limestone gravel 10 14mm is better suited to 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 grey limestone 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
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.
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.
