Does the Color of Mulch Matter?

The color of mulch can have a significant impact on the overall mood in your landscape. Some colors such as red may be too bright, while other colors like black and brown may not create enough contrast to stand out. It is important to choose a mulch that compliments the surroundings so it does not look unnatural or clash with surrounding plants.

To help you determine which mulch color would work best for your yard, we will discuss some pros and cons of each one!

Red Mulch

Red mulch can be a good choice for highlighting flowering bushes or other plants with showy flowers. It is also known to stimulate growth in some types of trees like pines, which tend to grow more quickly when red mulch is applied. The downside is that it may create too much heat and not enough contrast if used on the ground surface around your home because it absorbs sunlight instead of reflecting it back at its source. It can also help keep the soil moist because it is porous and can retain water.

Brown Mulch

If you’re looking for something neutral, brown mulch might be an excellent choice. Also known as cedar chips, brown mulches comes from either pine or spruce tree needles and branches that have been cut into smaller bits.

Brown or “natural” mulch is the most popular option for those who want a subdued look. It is also recommended if you are worried about safety because it doesn’t attract insects as much as other colors may do, and that means less risk of bites!

Another plus to using mulch in brown is that it tends not to fade into other surrounding plants like green or red mulches will do over time, which can make your yard appear more well-kept with minimal effort required on an ongoing basis. The downside might be some people’s preference for what color they’d prefer their lawn to be when looking at neighboring yards from afar.

Black Mulch

Black mulch helps to keep your lawn cooler. It can be great to use if you have a high water-use landscape and want to avoid evaporation.

The downside of using mulch in black is that it will heat up faster, which means you’ll see your lawn turn brown sooner than with other colors. It also tends not to look as natural if you are worried about aesthetics on the driveway or walkways near plants and trees.

Beige Mulch

Beige mulches provide an attractive option for those who prefer warmer tones; however, they don’t tend to hold onto color quite as long as some other options might do, so expect this type of mulch to fade after one season (if left outside). Some people may be concerned about maintaining their yard’s appearance over time if they’re looking at more expensive options like beige.

Finding The Best Mulch For You