In simple words, mulch is a material used as soil cover to create a protective barrier. Now you may be unaware of this if you are new to garden maintenance, or maybe you have an inkling of the concept but looking for practical tips to decide what to choose for your garden. Read on to learn everything you need to know about mulch and what color mulch looks best.
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What Color Mulch Looks Best?
When it comes to creating and maintaining a beautiful garden, mulch is a necessity. Its several purposes include moisture retention in soil, suppressing weed growth, keeping the root zone cool in the summer, and protecting it against frost in winter. Besides its practical application, mulch is also essential in aestheticizing your garden.
Now you may think out of all your garden maintenance needs, choosing mulch must not be a thing of worry, but there are several options available in the market currently, and we do not want you to miss out on the kind that will suit your garden the best.
What color mulch should you choose?
With a plethora of colors available in the market for mulch, how does one make up their mind? To begin with, you would want a color that enhances rather than detracts from your plants. Also, you should keep your home and garden’s style, design, construction, and colors in mind to complement it effectively. Now, if you predominantly have darker hues of green in your garden, then you can go for natural colors, but let’s get imaginative and explore the range of mulch colors.
Brown Mulch
The most widely opted color for mulch is brown since it is the most natural-looking and neutral choice that goes with everything. Be it a traditional or modern home and garden; brown mulch will blend right in. Additionally enhances and brings out the vibrancy of darker and lighter colored plants. If you want to purchase brown mulch, some options include mixed hardwood, pine bark, cypress, cocoa hulls, and dyed rubber.
Pros
- Does not draw attention away from the plants.
- Complements every color perfectly.
- It is an excellent choice if you frequently change your garden aesthetic.
Cons
- It requires frequent application as it is usually available in organic options and decays quickly.
Black Mulch
Black mulch adds style to contemporary homes and enhances shades of deeper green in your garden. It is also a preferred choice in commercial buildings as it is visually stunning and lasts a long time. Mulch can be dyed with carbon to achieve color.
But as black is a good conductor of heat, it is not ideal for hotter climates or more petite and dainty plants and shrubs. Lava rock, shale, dyed wood, rubber, bluestone, and glass are among the organic and inorganic products that are available for purchase.
Pros
- Long-lasting color.
- It makes light color plants and shrubs pop.
- Visually striking
Cons
- Black mulch absorbs a significant amount of heat and may adversely affect plants.
Red Mulch
Red mulch is an undisputed king in commercial complexes, office buildings, and homeowners with rock gardens. If your garden contains plants with lighter hues, it is also a choice worth considering because the vivid red color creates a striking contrast.
Red mulch is produced by treating mulch with iron oxide and, lately, organic plant-based dyes, which are harmless to the soil. However, it does leave a stain on the surfaces used or if kids or pets come in contact with it. Red cedar, stained wood, lava rock, rubber, and glass are a few common choices.
Pros
- Red and green are complementary colors and create a significant visual effect.
- Works well with lighter-colored plants and flowers as well.
Cons
- Detracts attention away from plants.
- May stain everything from light-colored concrete to kids playing in the garden, even while you work on the plant beds.
Other colors
Despite the three colors mentioned above dominating the market, we still believe you should not limit yourself as the things you own should reflect your personality. So if you are fond of eccentricities, do not shy away from bright blues, pinks, or purples.
These colors may work wonders if you incorporate unique quirks, like a fishpond or play area, in your gardens. These vibrant colors appeal to children, so that you may consider those for unconventional homes and gardens.
Things to Consider
If you have found yourself stumped and cannot decide, then we are here for your rescue. For starters, we should focus on where you live and the flora and climatic conditions of the region. For example, black mulch may be a saving grace in colder climates and to efficiently avoid frost in the root zone but do more harm than good for hotter regions. If your priority is color, you can either go for mulches available in a wide array of colors like stones or rubber, or you can also look at do-it-yourself projects in home improvement magazines and articles.
But before indulging in dyed mulch, ensure they contain safe dyes and are certified by the Mulch and Soil Council. It is ideal for layering your garden with different mulch to get the best of them and create an overall 3-inch layer. For example, you can find a balance between the weed-suppressing qualities of inorganic mulch and the soil-enriching element of organic mulch. And finally, consider the build and colors used in your home and garden to find the perfect fit. You can always look for inspiration through online forums and images.
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Closure | What Color Mulch Looks Best?
We have attempted to give you a clear idea of this exciting aspect of garden maintenance, including different types and colors to choose from and the challenges one may encounter while employing those. We hope that you can create a garden that is pleasing to the eye with the information that we have crammed into this article. And now that you have learned all the rules, it is time to get creative. Please contact us for further queries and doubts, and have a great day.