source for uniformly dark bluish/blackish river rock?

[AstroMan]

Hi,

I have seen recently in a few spots around the valley a dark river rock. I would describe this rock as being a dark blue to maybe a black. Usually when you buy river rock it's a mixture of whites, blues, pinks, and grays, but this stuff is all one uniform color. I have called a few gravel places and they have said "never heard of it."

The places I have seen it are: The front of Duck and Decanter, which is next to the Copenhagen/Denmarket on Camelback and the I-51. I have seen it in some of the planters at the Biltmore Fashion Park (like in front of the doggie bakery). I have seen it at Scottsdale Fashion Square (in front of the Eddie Bauer store). The Japanese Friendship garden downtown (Ro-ko-en) has it.

Baker's nursery on 40th St and Osborn sells small bags of it, and they call it "Japanese Black River Rock". However, they just have smallish bags, and I want to cover large areas with it...

Anybody know of another source here in the valley?

[PixelPixie]

I also want to do some kind of large treatment with it in my garden, but I'm not sure where yet. I have seen it in big bags in the WalMart nursery. I also believe I saw it at Home Depot at one point. Try also Harper's nursery as they have a good deal of bonsai stuff and may carry the larger size.

[AstroMan]

which walmart? which home depot? They don't all carry the same stuff..., for that matter, which Harper's?

[PixelPixie]

This was years ago, so I'd let my fingers do the walking first

The Walmart was at 7th Ave and Bell, the Home Depot was at Cave Creek and Cactus, and the Harper's was on Cambelback near Arcadia.

[AstroMan]

I don't think that's Harper's that you're talking about, I think that would be Berridge Nursery...there's a Harper's in South Scottsdale on Hayden, and another in Mesa... Berridge is about Camelback and 46th St...

Years ago huh? darn...I thought that this was the latest thing...but then again, I have only been back in country for about a year...

[PixelPixie]

You're right, sorry, Berridge on Camelback. I tend to transpose those two in my mind.

There is a book you may enjoy called Japan Modern that shows lots of uses for this rock in transitional indoor/outdoor spaces. Often it is embedded on end in concrete like a row of cookies to create a kind of non-slip walk.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/9625934952/qid=1096088540/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-3764155-3636769?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

For more intersting applications with concrete go to the Desert Botanic Garden and note its use on all their handrails throughout the grounds. Also, at DC Ranch they've used it (or something like it, I don't recall exactly) in the Marketplace park walkways, but some of the stones are popping out.

I will take a picture for you of how I am using it now in my CMU garden planter to support a galvanized grille. I was lucky to find a small batch of nearly purple stones and the effect is really lovely.

[trish]

You can purchase in bulk from Rock Resources (7th St, between loop 101 and Deer Valley).

[admin]

Thanks, Trish, and welcome!

There are TONS of stone, masonry and nursery resources at 101 and Cave Creek area, guys, it is worth a trip to just browse for a day.

[meagen]

http://www.rocksourcellc.com/productline.ivnu

this is an AZ co. Look at the bottom right pic. Is this what you're looking for?

[AstroMan]

http://www.rocksourcellc.com/productline.ivnu

this is an AZ co. Look at the bottom right pic. Is this what you're looking for?

not exactly, but close. Thanks!