CLM1, don't completely discount mulch dying in the future. Products are being improved each year. I have had good results with <a href="http://www.bucolor.com/products/mulch.html">Becker-Underwood Products</a>.<p>Am experimenting with a good mulch applied bi-yearly, and colorant and Snapshot used on alternate years. Mulch application is so labor intensive, if you can get the same renewal effect with colorant, and weed control with a preemergent, you can make same profit in 1/4th the time, or even charge less and still make good money.<p>Problem with mulch in our area is that the wholesale price has not increased for 15 yrs. Just each year the processors cut more wood into it. The large wood chunks bleach rapidly, whether new mulch or colored. Finer ground mulch with less wood will hold stain color longer than original mulch of same quality.<p>Be aware that colorants will stain concrete. Put some overspray on a foundation 3 years ago to see effect. Even in sunlight, could still see last fall, after 2-1/2 yrs, where it was sprayed. Colorant doesn't hurt or permanently color plants though.<p>----------<br>Jim<br>North central Indiana