Coastal Themes with Apricot, White And Cream
11 Sep 2024
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate
Geological name(s):
Quartzite
Other Name(s):
Apricot gravel, apricot pebbles
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Apricot gravel, often called apricot pebbles, is a hard-wearing quartz beach gravel whose colours possess outstanding reflective qualities. Landscapers often utilise them when creating authentic coastal themes in their garden designs. Quartz is also the second most abundant mineral found in the Earth's continental crust, behind feldspar.
This comprehensive encyclopaedia listing about apricot gravel, a hardscaping decorative 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.
Apricot Gravel Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quartz | 14-22mm |
durability | fish friendly | eco friendly | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-degradable | Neutral |
Material
Silicate mineral
Colour
Blend of apricot, grey, brown, cream, orange and white.
Shape
Rounded to angular
Size Range
14-22mm (0.5-0.9")
Apricot gravel 14-22mm
Fall Safety
Unsuitable for play surfaces
Price
Mid
Durability
High
Fish Friendly
Yes
Eco-friendly
Yes
Degradability
Non-degradable
pH
Neutral
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Decorative aggregates like apricot and white gravel offer numerous benefits in garden and landscape design. They provide an aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance solution for various outdoor and garden spaces. These aggregates enhance drainage, suppress weeds, and are durable against weather conditions.
Apricot gravel's reflective qualities shine orange, cream and brown colours that help to brighten surrounding landscapes. The rounded pieces create a soft yet structured look, ideal for pathways, ponds, water features, and borders. The natural colour palette complements a wide range of garden styles, trees and plant choices.
Applications
Apricot gravel is most suited to applications such as pathways, water features and decorative uses such as borders and top dressings for planters, with its warm hues and shades perfect for complementing greenery and creating contrast against darker materials. It's also great for water features due to its reflective qualities, and as a fish-friendly product, is suitable for use in ponds and aquascaping projects wherever aquatic pets live.
Although it may be used for driveways, due to the rounded shape of these products, would require more regular upkeep than most other aggregates. In the following section, we list many common apricot pebbles uses, although it is not exhaustive. 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 apricot gravel include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that apricot gravel may not be suitable for:
- 1Areas requiring compact, stable surfaces such as driveways.
- 2Play surfaces
- 3Erosion 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.
Similar Alternatives to Apricot Gravel
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to apricot 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
Apricot gravel 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 of the product 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 the 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 apricot gravel 14-22mm, 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, 20mm gravel is typically best for driveways, while smaller 10-14mm gravels are better suited to footpaths.
Using our gravel calculator to get an unbiased estimate for your project needs is one of the best and easiest ways to order the right amount without the risk of shortfalls or over-spending - all you need is a few measurements of the space. Ordering in 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
Can apricot gravel be used in driveways?
Apricot gravel can be used in driveway areas but may not be suitable for people seeking low-maintenace driveways.
Is apricot gravel suitable for water features?
Yes, apricot grey gravel is an excellent choice for water features and ponds due to its colour, reflective quality and rounded pieces.
How much gravel do I need for my project?
Calculate the area of your project in square metres and consult with your supplier to determine the appropriate quantity of gravel needed.
Can I mix apricot gravel with other aggregates?
Yes, apricot gravel can be mixed with gravel and other aggregates to create a mixture of unique colour and texture combinations.