I always preferred black. Then the last few carloads I bought if it faded so fast. I decided to do a test of the pine nuggets. I love this so much that is what I’m switching to. I’m sorry I haven’t taken pictures. FYI the fading black mulch was from Lowe’s . I happened to buys the black sale mulch from Home Depot for the front garden and it has held up amazing. No matter what you choose there is nothing like freshy mulchsd beds!!!

Black will absorb heat making the soil and roots warmer and white will reflect heat back up to the roses so I would stay away from those in your TX garden. Otherwise I think it's just a matter of preference. Use the color you like best in your garden.

Agree with Seil on black and white. I also think red mulch is too garish on its own and takes away from the beauty of naturally colored blooms.

That’s why I always use brown mulch.

I think black mulch pops the colors better not it shows leaF litter, whereas brown doesn't show as much. We have two very large trees that drop leaves all the time in our area so it's just easier to use undyed mulch and match the mulch to the leaves than to run around cleaning off the mulch. Ain't nobody got time (or energy) for that.

I really don't like red mulch, but pine straw looks fine to me.

Several years ago there was a story in New Orleans about the sourcing of cypress mulch. Apparently some operations were just clear-cutting wetlands for the wood to mulch, exacerbating the coastal erosion situation. (I mention this since you are in east TX.) In addition, some of the trees had formosan termites. I would avoid cypress. Pine straw, should you have the termites in your area, doesn't seem to encourage termites.

It seems I had read something about some of the dyes in colored mulches as well that put a negative spin on such. Don't recall the details, but some of the black mulch is colored with carbon, which should be completely safe. I like the look as well, and concur with other observations.

I use regular brown. Or get some from the power line people, or people I see cutting down trees.

When I go to get mulch sometimes it's a matter of what they have in volume. If I take my big truck it's going to be full going back home. Sometimes they are low of one color. So I end up getting what they have the same. This year I got brown but because for some reason the one Lowes won't load anything with a forklift the workers had to hump the 50 bags of mulch one bag at a time to throw in the truck. I ended up with all bags marked brown but half was black. I use it in my paths and I have to say I really liked the black paths better than the other colors.

I like darker natural colored mulches. I usually use pine bark fines--it is similar in color to my homemade horse manure compost. I don't really worry if the manure doesn't get all covered by the mulch or if I get inspired it toss a shovel full of compost on a rose in an already mulched bed. It all blends.

I agree with those who prefer arborist wood chip mulch. Mine is pine bark. It's preferable to use trees from your area. The look of rich dark soil is my favorite look, but the wood chip mulch will improve your soil immeasurably. At least, it did mine. Call your power company to see if they will be clearing trees around power lines in your area. They will gladly dump the mulched branches on your property. Some arborist companies will do the same. If you don't like the lighter color, you can cover it with compost. https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/wood-chips.pdf and http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS160E/FS160E.pdf

Alameda, that was not a silly question. I had a mountain of the stuff, similar to the pics from jc, above, on my property that the arborist left after clearing some trees. He's the one who told me I should use it on my garden. I didn't have a clue.