Landscaping with Rocks: Bonkers About Boulders

Why Big Rocks Are a Big Deal in Bend Landscape Design

When it comes to landscaping in Bend and across Central Oregon, one thing stands out—literally. Big, bold boulders are a signature move in local landscape design, and honestly? In our 17 years in business, we’ve always been bonkers about them.

While a lot of places can rely on blooming plants for visual impact, Bend’s short growing season calls for year-round show-stoppers. Sure, we all love that vibrant spring bloom and those radiant fall colors—but what about the in-between seasons? When the garden's gone dormant, ghost trees, evergreen trees, and natural stone features keep your yard from looking like a pile of sticks and dust.

That’s why we often recommend anchoring your Bend landscaping project with large boulders. These natural stone giants not only add year-round visual interest, but they also create structure, define space, and ground your design in the high desert landscape. Add some well-placed outdoor lighting, and those boulders steal the spotlight at nighttime.

We source our rocks from Empire Stone Company right here in Central Oregon. Their Oregon Moss Rock is second to none—and yes, we hand-pick every single stone for every single landscaping project. After more than a decade working with their crew, we even get first dibs on some of their biggest, most dramatic boulders before anyone else in town. (Shout out Empire Stone—we appreciate you.)

Boulders are incredibly functional, beyond just making a visual statement. They help break up zones in your landscape, blend the space into the natural surroundings, and can even be transformed into stunning custom water features. If you’re looking to enhance your outdoor space with rock landscaping in Bend, boulders are a high-impact, low-maintenance way to do it.

So whether you’re aiming for drama, structure, or something that still looks great in the middle of February, consider going big. Because around here? We don’t mess around with small rocks.