When laying a path with pavers, you have a choice to fill the gaps with grout, ground cover plants, or filler stones such as gravel or decomposed granite. As a garden designer, I often advocate filler stones, which are permeable (and prevent rainwater runoff) as well as a design element to create a coherent look for a path.
Is filler stone the right choice for your path or patio? Read on for everything you need to know:
What are the design rules for filler stones?
Remember our recent post on using plants to fill the gaps between pavers (see Hardscaping 101: Ground Covers to Plant Between Pavers)? Follow a similar design process to choose best filler stones:
- Think about scale. Assess how big your pavers are and how big the gaps are between them. Rule of thumb: the larger the scale of paving, the larger the filler stone can be.
- Choose a complementary stone. For instance, do you have recurring gray tones in your hardscape? If so, consider repeating these colors in your filler stone.
- Think solid. Your choice of filler needs to be as stable as possible. And when I mean stable, I mean it should not kick around and scatter like confetti when you walk on it. There is nothing messier than a path with pebbles dotted all over it. Of course pea gravel, for instance, shifts when walked on—and this is part of its character—but it shouldn’t become a hassle. To mitigate the mess, lay filler stone between the pavers at a height slightly lower (at least 1/2 inch) than the surface of the paver.
Tip: To make sure decomposed granite doesn’t hitchhike on the soles of shoes—which it is notorious for doing—consider using a binding stabilizer. To learn more, visit: Hardscaping 101: Decomposed Granite.
What are the best stone fillers to consider?
There are a few proven, go-to fillers that I like to use in garden design:
- Pea Gravel: An affordable choice that produces a pleasing crunch when walked on and a surprisingly sophisticated filler that blends with most landscape styles. Pea gravel comes in sizes ranging from 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch and in a variety of natural shades like tan, rust, shades of gray, white, and translucent.
- Decomposed granite: Commonly known as DG, this permeable material is also wonderfully versatile and inexpensive. Plus, there are more than 30 color choices and varying degrees of particle sizes are available.
Tip: DG is a smart choice for those who want a refined or contemporary look.
- Mexican beach pebbles: Great for a clean, modern look. Not as cost effective as gravel or decomposed granite, but worth the heftier price. Black beach pebbles are sold by the cubic yard and in bags.
Tip: I also use Mexican beach pebbles to top-dress contemporary container plantings and as a smooth gray “mulch” under bamboo and palm trees.
Any more pro tips for using stones to fill paver gaps?
Some filler stones are lower in maintenance than others. Black beach pebbles, being larger and heavier than the other choices, also require the least maintenance but they are a distinctive look usually fitting for a modern or Japanese-style garden.
Pea gravel, on the other hand, will not break down but will inevitably move around due to people and pet activity, and garden maintenance routines. Pea gravel will also need a refresher at some point.
Recap
- Stone paver fillers serve many purposes: they solve drainage issues, lend textural appeal, and come in a variety of colors and forms to complement many landscape styles.
- All the mentioned stone fillers can be bought by the bag, making this a great DIY project.
- Do not put your filler stone flush with the paver stones unless you really enjoy sweeping pavers.
For more design tips, see our curated guides to Hardscape 101, including Pavers 101 and Gravel 101. If you’d like to plant ground cover plants between pavers, see Coral Bells: A Field Guide to Planting, Care and Design. More reading: