Can bark mulch be used in xeriscaping

Bark mulch might seem an unlikely ally in gardens designed to survive on scant rainfall, yet its loose weave ticks many xeriscaping boxes. Spread three to five centimetres deep over well‑drained soil, the chips shade the surface, cooling root zones and reducing evaporation by up to half. Where gravel alone radiates stored heat into twilight, bark breathes, releasing daytime warmth more slowly and sparing Mediterranean herbs from baking roots. During short, heavy showers the layer captures droplets, guiding them gently downward instead of letting them skitter along baked crusts.

Gardeners sometimes worry decomposing wood will steal nitrogen, yet the effect is shallow and fades if a thin sprinkle of mature compost is raked in first. Coarse pine or larch chips resist wind better than shreds and last several seasons, meaning fewer top‑ups. Keep mulch clear of cactus collars or agave crowns where trapped damp could cause rot. In gusty sites mix bark with pebbles to anchor it while still letting showers seep. AHS LTD supplies screened material from British forestry waste, limiting haulage miles. Refresh depth each spring and leave a ring of bare grit round lavender or santolina. Used thoughtfully, bark mulch helps xeriscapes sip the sky’s sparse offerings.