For Jeff

Depending on the level of maintanance you want to do will probably determine how many plants you want. But when it comes to top dressing you will have many choices. Here are some:

-When shopping at landscape supplies you can find quite a variety of different colored stone. Depending on the slope of your landscape sometimes it's hard to keep you stone in your bed and easier when it's a natural color.

-In the second photo the homeown has added a border to keep the rocks in the bed. Also there is a lot of open space so he can add more plants if he see something he likes.

-In the last photo regular gravel is used. It's very common and if it's by a frequently used sidewalk it's possible some will spill onto the sidewalk.

-This rock might be called Bull Rock. It's some of the larger gravel available from the gravel pits. It's not easy to walk on or work with. So, not easy to plant in either. But it stays in place pretty good.

-This is decomposed granite or crushed granite. It comes in a variety of sizes. Mostly what you see is the smaller size. It's usually spead about 1" deep. During the year weed seeds adn grass seeds will fall on it and germinate and you'll have to pull those out now and then. But, it's still, in my opinion the best top dressing.

-Limestone gravel- this is white rock and readily available and used quite commonly.

You can stay simple or get fancy when top dressing your landscape. Some of it is functional, some purely aestethic.

-Here are a few plants you might consider. The first 6 are succulents.

-Golden Barrel Cactus

-Sedum are ground hugging perennials

-Yucca Pendula

-Whale's Tongue Agave

-Texas Sotol

-Red Yucca

These next plants are perennials that will need to be watered more frequently but will bloom spring through fall

-Lantana

-Gold Star Esperanza

-Pride of Barbados-most will get about 4'-5' each year. TThere are about 5 or more in this planting.

Let me know if you have questions.