Beginner Gardening: Is one color of mulch better than another? , 1 by Twincol

Twincol wrote:
Hmmmm, this gr8 thread reminded me and got me to thinking about a sack of "mulch" I have awaiting a "spread-around." I actually requested it from a friend who has a bunch of pine trees on her property. I thought it might be a good ground cover, rather than mulch, as I understand it doesn't decompose in the sense that bark mulch does.

I have two options where I thought it would be helpful. The photo attached shows one option; the length of a wire fence upon which I've loaded Star Jasmine to provide something of a visual architectural barrier from the street corner. I thought it would provide an attractive ground cover under a 50-or-so yo Fruitless Mulberry tree, under which little will grow due to the dry soil and the sun reaches seldom.

The other option would be to simply use it on the surface of the bed opposite the fencing/tree you see here. I have some 20 YO azaleas, sadly neglected over the past 6 years as I struggled with my cancer recovery and lacked the energy to keep up with the entire yard. But they're still alive and flowering and I think that with encouragement they'll "blossom," as it were, ultimately.

The next pic is of the contents of one of the sacks of material.

What'cha think, guys'n gals? Any wisdom?

Linda and The MopTops