Pebble design in concrete at LotusLand Photo by Jane Gates

Once upon a time concrete was poured as big gray squares wherever someone wanted a patio or walkway. Then someone decided to add pigment powders that could be rubbed into the surface of the concrete or mixed into the cement itself to add alternatives to plain gray. Today concrete is designed in interesting shapes, colors and surfaced with a vast array of textures and effects.

You can now use concrete stamps that offer the opportunity to pattern the surface of cement so it looks like different kinds of stone, rock or wood grains or other textures. If you want to get creative you can make your own stamps or use existing textured items to press into soft concrete to form your own patterns and effects. While concrete is soft, before it sets, it is an ideal medium for impressing whatever you want. Any material with an interesting texture will cause a reverse indented image when pushed into the flat clay-like cement. You can use a repetitive pattern like stamping, a scratching pattern like broom strokes or you can even draw in to the surface. Textures can also be created in a negative format by sprinkling a material into the surface of soft cement that can be melted away leaving ‘footprints’. For example rock salt can be sprinkled so it sinks into the wet cement. When the concrete dries, the salt can be washed away leaving pock-marked effect. Make sure any material that dissolves away does not wash into areas where it could become toxic or ruin the surrounding soil quality. The concrete in hardscape structures, whether walls, floors or other landscape surfaces can become a major artistic addition to the landscape.

Another alternative to texturing the surface of cement is to press textures or interesting objects into the soft concrete.  The objects, overall design or the concrete surface can become landscape art. There is no limit to the kinds of effects you can get this way. Stones and gravel are frequently used this way either to form a random texture or create designs. Pieces of pottery, tiles or tumbled glass can form designs or even mosaic pictures. Sometimes interesting objects like marbles, industrial glass,metal findings, plastic castings or manufacturing waste cut-outs can be included. Another effect can be created by polishing down the surface of embedded objects so the concrete and the materials within are finished equally with a glossy smooth surface. Or sometimes colored sand or other fine abrasive materials are better left rough on the surface to form a non-skid surface over areas that are likely to be slippery when wet, like around a swimming pool. Materials for adding to cement are limited only by the imagination. But some practical considerations should be kept in mind. You don’t want to use materials that could become sharp, rust, disintegrate or become toxic over time.

Color can be added to the cement mix for an all-over tone, mixed in roughly to form marbling, scattered or painted into the surface or blended as a surface coat on concrete. There are acid stains that can create effects from brilliant color to metallic or plastic-like surfaces. These stains can be designed into artistic effects of blended colors, literal illustrations or designs in the landscape. And don’t forget you can design the concrete itself into interesting features like rocks and boulders, platforms, sculptures, caves, seating and more.

In short, concrete can mimic almost any material or have a character all its own. It can become a medium for art or the art itself. As a result, concrete has graduated from bland driveways and sidewalks into retaining walls, dance floors, art structures and counter tops both indoors and out. So when you are planning out your garden, think of concrete as an exciting opportunity to create something really interesting. Today’s use of concrete has evolved into a practical but highly ornamental medium for designing in outdoor landscapes.

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