Choosing by application
Looks clean, stays in place, breaks down into organic matter
Breaks down fast and adds nitrogen; wood chips tie up nitrogen as they decompose
Keeps a mulch-free zone right at the trunk — never pile mulch against bark
Heavier and stays in place; shredded mulch washes out on steep grades
Lowers soil pH over time — good for blueberries, azaleas, hollies
Bagged vs. bulk
At 3 or more cubic yards, bulk mulch from a landscape supplier costs roughly half what bagged mulch costs per cubic yard, and you eliminate dozens of plastic bags. Under 3 yards, bagged is more practical — you can mix types, store unused bags, and avoid a minimum delivery charge. The mulch calculator shows you your cubic yard total so you can make the call.
What to avoid
Fresh wood chips from a tree service are fine for pathways and around trees but aren't ideal in planting beds — they tie up nitrogen as they decompose, which competes with your plants during the first season. Rubber mulch lasts forever but heats up significantly in direct sun and leaches zinc into the soil. Hay looks like straw but contains seeds that will sprout in your beds.