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The difference between river rock and landscaping rocks is size, smoothness, and use. River rocks are smooth and flat, as if polished by water, and come in diameters between 1 and 8 inches. Landscape rock can vary in size from small pea gravel installations to car-sized boulders. However, landscaping and river rocks are interchangeable in many situations. River rock is best for pathways, walkways, garden bed mulch, water features, and planting accents, while small landscape rocks can serve as a walkway base, gravel playground areas, and filler between pavers.

Pea gravel is the most common type of gravel, and it can be made of limestone, granite, basalt, sandstone, and many other types of rock. The strength in gravel comes from the distribution across the stones, so while one rock type may not be particularly strong (like sandstone), the matrix of small rocks that is gravel can become incredibly strong when installed correctly. 

When it comes to which stone is better, crushed or natural gravel, it all depends on the project. Crushed stone is a great base and filler material for projects like retention walls, concrete slabs, driveways, pipes, and drains. Gravel is a common choice for visually attractive landscaping projects like walkways, above-ground drainage systems, patios, and garden borders.

Mulch is best used in garden beds and yards, not in your driveway as pothole filler. It is meant to stimulate plant growth. Upon repeated pressure, it turns into compost, which also serves as fertilizer for weeds to take over. The roots will then break into your driveway, leading to more material loss and structural collapses.