• Soften the rock garden with flowers in bright colors.Rocks and Flowers in the Garden image by LaVal from Fotolia.com
  
  Using rocks in home landscaping offers myriad possibilities. While they may be heavy to move, rocks never rot, wear away or provide a refuge for termites and ants. They are drought-tolerant and impervious to deer and moles. Small rocks provide versatile landscaping elements, while large rocks add both structure and height to a garden. As a landscaping option, rocks are unbeatable.
  
  

Paths

• Use pebbles alone or combine them with wood to create durable paths.garden image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  Crushed gravel, pebbles and small river rocks are options for paths and walkways. According to "Sunset Western Garden Book," paths need should be 5 feet wide to allow two people to walk side-by-side. Allow plants to spill over onto the paths for a natural effect. Small rocks are also effective as a patio surface or as an alternative to a lawn. Arrange them with a natural curved edge and intersperse the rocks with plants in containers and garden art.
  
  

Retaining Walls

• Some rock retaining walls use cement to secure the rocks in place.Mauerwerk image by Hans Joachim Wingerter from Fotolia.com
  
  Build an informal retaining wall for a gently sloped patch in your yard by placing medium-sized rocks here and there on the slope. Building a more functional rock retaining wall designed to hold back a quantity of earth requires a much higher level of expertise. Use gravel at the base for drainage to prevent water accumulating and toppling the wall with freezing and thawing. Large rocks require tractors to drop in place, while you can position smaller rocks by hand. Use rocks of different sizes and shapes and place small plants in gaps to add visual interest in the wall.
  
  

Accent Features

• Accent rocks serve as chairs and tables in some gardens.tea time in the garden image by Lijuan Guo from Fotolia.com
  
  Large rocks, or what The Landscape Design Site calls "accent boulders," add eye-catching form and structure to the garden. To create a natural setting for the rocks, bury them 4 to 6 inches in the ground so they appear to be a natural part of the landscape rather than an accent that you have just dropped into your yard.
  
  For an even more naturalized look, The Landscape Design Site recommends painting sections of the rock with a moss slurry mixture, which will grow moss in two weeks. Use a mixture of soil, water, fish emulsion and moss blended in your blender or mixed by hand. Use the same mixture on any flower pots or garden statues that you would like to appear aged and established.