Decorative Stone Rock Pea Gravel

Small tumbled stones about the size of a pea, usually 1/8 to 3/8 inch, that got rounded smooth by rivers or streams instead of run through a crusher. The colors come from whatever pit the load was pulled from, so you'll see soft tans, grays, warm browns, and the occasional rust red mixed in a single scoop. Because the edges are worn off, it feels soft underfoot, not sharp like crushed stone, and water drains straight through the gaps between stones.

Down south, folks often call it river rock, even though true river rock runs bigger, an inch and up. In the trades you'll also hear it called drainage stone or pipe bedding when it's headed for a French drain, and playground gravel when it goes under swing sets. It sells by the ton or the cubic yard and sits near the bottom of the decorative stone price list, typically $30 to $55 a ton before delivery. That's why it beats out marble chips or larger river rock when the budget is tight and you still want a natural look.