Mulch Comparison Guide

Each type of mulch has its pros and cons, such as how well it retains its color or the length of time it lasts before decomposing to the point of needing to be refreshed or “top-dressed”. You can compare these pros and cons in the chart below.

	Cypress All-Bark	Red Pine Bark Mulch	Cedar Mulch	Hardwood Bark Mulch	Color Enhanced	Pine Straw	Gas Station Store Mulch
Description	Best color retention and long lasting. Our best mulch and a great value.	Excellent mulch for annuals, ground covers & tilling in to amend soil.	Popular, but does fade quickly to bright cedar gray.	A good all around mulch, but doesn’t hold its color as well as All-Bark Cypress.	Holds its dyed color well, but not as natural looking as some choices.	Lends a natural, deep woods look and holds up well. Not as neat or finished a look as some.	Small bags and composed of all wood that fades quickly. Not as good a value as it appears.
Composition	Almost 100% Shredded Cypress Bark	Michigan Red Pine Bark Flakes	Ground Cedar Wood	Ground Hardwood Bark	Colored Ground Recycled Pine Pallets	100% Pine Needles	Ground Wood
Color	Chestnut Brown	Light Brown	Orange/Light Brown	Dark Brown	Red, Black or Brown	Tan	Light Brown
Color Retention	Best – 2 Years	Excellent	Poor, Turns Gray	Poor, Turns Blond	Excellent	Excellent	Poor, Turns Gray
Add More /Top Dress	Every 2 Years	Every 1 to 2 Years	Annually	Annually	Every 1 to 2 Years	Every 2 Years	Annually
Moisture Retention	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Fair	Excellent
Stays in Place	Excellent	Can move in windy areas	Good	Good	Good	Excellent	Good
Available	3 Cu Ft. Bags	Bulk	Bulk	Bulk	Bulk	Bails	Small Bags