Black mulch and hemlock are the two favorites across Greater Boston — black for sharp modern contrast, hemlock for the classic New England bed. Which one dominates depends on the street you're standing on: newer builds lean black, older neighborhoods stay loyal to hemlock's reddish-brown.
The two local staples
| Black mulch | Color-enhanced for the boldest contrast; holds its color 6–9 months |
| Hemlock | Natural, undyed reddish-brown; the traditional look; 10–12 months of life |
Pine bark, red cedar, and playground mulch round out the lineup for specific jobs, but these two carry the region's beds. February is the quiet-season window: lock a spring delivery date now and your mulch arrives ahead of the April scramble. Compare black mulch and hemlock mulch — both ship up to 10 yards per truckload.
