Readers Respond: What Type of Mulch (Color) Do You Prefer?

Responses: 48

By David Beaulieu, About.com Guide

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I use the red in the backyard. It was what the previous owners had left behind. It did help me spot weeds a little easier. I did choose brown for the front yard. It gives my home more charm and warmth.
—Guest Elfkin

Natural mulch that comes out of the chipper. Especially oak. As a tree trimmer I always return the cuttings as mulch.
—Guest Regina Star

I'm a fan of natural mulches. While the dyed ones can sometimes look alright, they're usually overbearing. Add to that that the dye is artificial, and will eventually fade, whatever appeal there is for colored mulch is lost. Thanks to the various different natural mulches out there, it's possible to get color variety without having to use something with dye in it.
—Guest Shari

I use shredded hardwood mulch. All natural. Rubber? Not in my landscape beds. I wonder how eco friendly rubber mulch really is. And do we really know how safe those dyes are? I like to keep it natural and let my beautiful flowers show off their colors. My neighbor uses Mother Earth as mulch, constantly working the soil with compost. Another gardener friend uses compost from the municipality to mulch her beds. Me, I use good quality shredded hardwood mulch for my beds. It looks very nice, keeps the plant roots cool, conserves water, and keeps the weeds down. My all natural shredded hardwood mulch also composts well. I freshen it up each year with a new layer. My soil is getting very rich and my plants seem to love it.
—Guest RuthSny

I think dyed mulch is garish and ugly. Also, I hate the way the dye can run and stains whenever the bark gets wet.
—Guest Kat

Red mulch looks great with the right brick color. I use it EVERY YEAR, and it looks great with my yard and my house.
—Guest Mae Hannah

Where I'm from, red mulch was big a few years ago, but it seems to be going away, thankfully. I think it is way to overbearing for the landscape. I prefer to sell my customers on the natural browns, or the dyed black mulch. The only problem with the latter is when it fades out. When new it looks pretty good and contrasts well with cobblestones as the border.
—Guest Luke

How do I feel about colored mulch? Everyone is using the same color: RED. You ride by homes in your truck and one after another will have the red mulch surrounding their plants. I use cedar or natural, as it seems to bring out the beautiful colors of the flowers in my garden beds -- they look more alive and exciting.
—Guest Sandi

I have installed dark mulch in most of my projects and clients always ask what it is and where do they find it. I do not like red mulch. It is not natural looking.
—Guest Kathie Madsen

The black dyed mulch can look very nice. However, the red (or even orange) mulch is much too garish. It visually overpowers any flowers or plants planted in it. I much prefer a natural type of mulch.
—Guest mayascapone

My aesthetic preference is natural bark mulch. Even though a very dark mulch can give a tailored appearance, I offer a word of caution. I am not allergic to anything I know of, but after spreading dark brown dyed mulch, I broke out in a rash anywhere I came in contact with the material. The dyes are not benign and can cause irritation or allergic reaction in humans. Is it likely they are neutral for plants?
—OakLeafLady

I prefer the natural look. There is no way I would use a dyed mulch in my garden!
—Guest Mary

After spending lots of money on pine bark mulch, we decided last year to help save a few trees and invest in rubber mulch. Rubber mulch costs between $11.00 - $18.00 a bag, comes in many colors, and has a 15 year guarantee. It looks great, too! Our neighbors keep asking us where they can purchase some.
—LoreFD

David Beaulieu
Landscaping Guide