Ground covers are a must-have for your landscape beds, and you can choose between mulch or rock. Popular rock types in Grand Rapids, MI, include lava rock, slate, and gray river rock. On the other hand, popular mulches include brown-dyed bark, pine bark, and shredded wood mulch. So, which ground cover should you choose? You can't go wrong with either, as both offer numerous health benefits, such as weed suppression, moisture retention, and protection of the roots of your plants. However, it depends on your aesthetic preferences and which will best suit your landscape beds.

Popular Rocks for Your Landscape Beds in Grand Rapids, MI

There are several popular rock ground covers here in Grand Rapids, MI, which are as follows:

  • Lava Rock: As the name implies, this type is a volcanic rock with a porous surface and comes in various colors, including black, red, and brown. Lava rock is a quality option for your landscape beds, as it'll bring an eye-catching contrast and give them a unique look.
  • Gray River Rock/Washed Stone: Washed stone, or gray river rocks, are great for landscape beds because of their timeless aesthetic. These rocks have a smooth surface and come in varying shades of gray, making your plants stand out and giving your softscapes a pristine look.
  • Slate: Slate is a unique ground cover since they have a smooth, flat surface rather than rounded. These chips also come in different shades of gray, though they're usually darker and make a stunning contrast in your landscape beds.

Popular Mulch Types for Your Landscape Beds in Grand Rapids, MI

Mulch comes in several types, and the most popular ones in Grand Rapids, MI, include the following:

  • Brown-Dyed Bark: As the name implies, this ground cover consists of bark from a tree, which is shredded down and dyed brown. Brown-dyed bark will give your landscape beds a more natural, earthy touch, and the darker color will enhance the vibrancy of your plants.
  • Pine Bark: This ground cover consists of bark from pine trees, consisting of varying-sized pieces in different earthy tones, like tan and brown. While it'll give your landscape beds a less uniform look but rather more natural, its subtlety will ensure your plants are the center of attention.
  • Shredded Wood Mulch: Shredded wood mulch has been broken down, giving it a finer texture, and comes in different shades of earthy brown colors. Its natural appearance will complement your softscapes and enhance the curb appeal of your plants.

Which ground cover should you choose - mulch or rock?

With two ground covers that offer several options, it begs the question: should you choose mulch or rock for your landscape beds? You can't go wrong with either, as both offer numerous health benefits, like regulating soil temperature, retaining moisture, suppressing weeds, protecting the roots of your plants, and reducing erosion. So, it comes down to your aesthetic preferences and the look you want to achieve with your softscapes.

The only notable difference between mulch and rock beside their aesthetic is that mulch decomposes over time, meaning it'll need more frequent replenishment.

Call us to sign up for our mulch or rock installation service!

If you want to add a ground cover to your landscape beds, look no further than our mulch or rock installation service! At Rose Landscape Services, we offer several types of mulches and rocks for you to choose from to satisfy your aesthetic preferences, including lava rock, gray river rock, slate, brown-dyed bark, pine bark, and shredded wood mulch, among others. Whichever you go with, you can trust that we'll exercise precision during installation to ensure your plants reap all the intended benefits!

Our mulch and rock installation service is available to residential and commercial properties in Grand Rapids, MI, and other nearby areas, including Ada and Cascade. Call us at (616) 293-0361 to sign up today!