Find out how mulch colors can make a big difference to the look and health of your garden.
Hector Sanchez
Youve got plenty of optionswhen it comes to garden mulch colors, both natural and dyed.
For example,laying down a uniform mulchhelps tie multiple garden beds together visually for a more cohesive look.
Credit:Hector Sanchez
Choose the best mulch color for your garden with these expert tips.
Aaron Steil is a consumer horticulture extension specialist atIowa State University.
What Color Mulch Is Best?
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Brighter mulches would work potentially in areas where your goal is to create something that is very eye catching.
Although he personally prefers natural mulches, Steil says dyed mulches have their place.
It really boils down to personal preference.
Credit:Kritsada Panichgul
The customer is always right in terms of taste.
If thats the look youre going for, [dyed mulches] can be great options.
Peter Krumhardt
Choosing Mulch Colors
Ready to pick a color?
Ask yourself these questions.
Flowers: white andyellow flowersare set off by a darker mulch.
What does your home look like?Consider the style and throw in of materials used in the construction.
Theyre not so good for hot, dry climates; use lighter-colored mulch in those conditions.
Kritsada Panichgul
Dyed Mulches
Here are the most common dyed mulches and what to pair them with.
Black Mulch
Black mulch is dramatic, elegant, and refined.
It can define borders and edges or set off garden art orfeatures such as a fountain.
Black mulch highlights bright flowers as well as chartreuse, silver, and variegated foliage plants.
Because of its added heat retention, avoid using it in hot, sunny areas or around delicate plants.
A universal color that goes with all shades of green, it is perfect for naturalistic and rustic gardens.
The neutral look makes a fine canvas for all plants includingbusy cottage gardens.
Gold Mulch
Gold mulch is warm, yet vibrant.
It is a nice backdrop for green and dark-green foliage plants but does not work well with chartreuse foliage.
It also harmonizes with vibrant flower colors, allowing them to take the spotlight.
It goes well with lighter colors and inrock gardens.
It also complements the most common color found in the garden: green.
One question about dyed mulches is whether they contain any harmful chemicals.
The dyes themselves are not toxic.
Its the source of the wood that is a potential pitfall.
Colored mulches are often salvaged wood products [like chipped pallets] that are then dyed, Steil says.
A chief concern is copper chrome arsenate (CCA), a wood preservative in treated wood.
Natural Mulches
There are plenty of natural mulch options without dyes.
It starts out with a warm honey-like look and fades to silvery gray.
Bonus: it also smells great.
Pine Bark Chips
Pine bark chips are fragments ofpine barkwith a rich hue and pleasant piney aroma.
Cocoa Bean Shells
Cocoa bean shells are compact, uniform, and dark brown in color.
They give a garden a rich, chocolatey aroma, especially after rain.
Cocoa bean shells offer a neat and tidy look, perfect for highlighting smaller specimen plants.
Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of cocoa production.
Wood Chips
Wood chipsare available for free from some municipalities, utility companies, and tree services.
However, the quality of the material can fluctuate and may contain leaf and twig debris.
The color can also differ.
But sometimes you cant beat the price of free!
All mulches will need to be replenished over time and thats a good thing.
We want mulch to break down some and help contribute tobetter soil health.
Bert Cregg, M. S. U. E. (2011, March 21).Cocoa Mulch and dogs.
