Pea gravel circle in mulch

Rock formation across decomposed granite (DG) and then mulch on the other side

Simple stairs…

Native plants in decomposed granite (DG)

Mulch with river rock

DG stairs and patio in mulch

DG patio in mulch

Red flagstone with several sizes of mexican pebble and pea gravel

Hardscape is an important part of any landscape but that is especially true in drought-tolerant ones where you may not want to fill every square-inch something green and water-sucking. Hardscape also serves to divert the eye as small native plants take about three years to reach maturity and groundcover takes root and spreads.