i haven't had too much trouble finding it. i go to the place closest to my house, Oregon Decorative Rock, even though it is not cheap. I want to minimize the drive back with the fully loaded truck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oregon Decorative Rock

It might help us help you if you tell us where you live -- city & state.

I think plantknitter is up north, but quarter-10 can't be too rare as it is also listed at Mt. Scott Fuel in SE PDX. I use it to under-dress Lewisias.

oh, sorry, yes I'm north of Seattle in Snohomish county.
I saw a link from 2009 where Ann Lovejoy on Bainbridge was also recommending this approach. She mentions it doesn't matter what kind of gravel.
Any thoughts on that?

Here is a link that might be useful: kitsap article

i think 1/4 10 is about ideal. pea gravel might be the closest- but it doesn't level as well. 1/4 minus you will run into trouble with the fines. any bigger sized gravel will probably be less pleasant to walk on.

i had a very lumpy lawn, and repeated application of compost and 1/4 10 along with overseeding has leveled it pretty well. i didn't have a control area so nothing to compare it to.