My climate in western WA is wet except for our summer season of July-Sept so 3-4" mulch takes care of my established plants except for occasional heat waves. I apply in November & March, then patrol & pull seedlings I don't want. Type depends on if you want self sown perennial seedlings. Fine texture allows seedlings including blown in weeds...Coarse prevents it. I prefer finer near perennials & more coarse under shrubs, but it depends on what is free or cheap at the time. I usually use a mix for bottom layers & top with something uniform so no one knows what's underneath. Bottom layer just 1-2": -especially in new gardens w/lots of bare soil use hay sweepings from feed store at the bottom -used coffee grounds -homemade compost with blend of manures (old & cold only) -shredded leaves -lawn mower shredded garden clippings -dried grass clippings -guinea pig bedding (basically sawdust + manure) Favorite top 2" layer: free irregularly shaped wood chips from tree trimmers (off Craigslist if someone gets too much - sometimes they've even bagged it up for you already) Another top layer if you have to purchase: dark fine texture soil amendments made from a blend of shredded wood green/white bags (soil PEP) or blue bags (Garden Gro Mulch) at Home Depot. FYI: seedlings sow well in this Easiest way to keep up through growing season: Snip & drop when cutting back things because it dries up & blends in pretty well. Takes just a few minutes with scissors to do it & you don't get dirty or sweaty working just one plant at a time. If a lot of clippings toss on the lawn for mower shred. If clumps are made spread out to dry a bit & tuck small amounts under larger plants where you can't see it much. If plants have viable seeds you can put them where you want more plants or bury a shovel depth down elsewhere in the garden. After mid-spring I can't see much ground as everything is lush from the rain except for new gardens like this one. Here's a pic from July 2010 of spring planted new garden around existing snowball bush, cherry & apple trees. The mulch top layer is scattered wood chips not more than 1" deep.

Ted, I'm a few days late reading this, but hope to find some at our Lowe's in Hsv. By the way, a friend has this growing with 'Alabama Sunset' coleus and it looks great. You lucky dog for finding it at such a great prce (and the sedum too)! It has been on my list for next year.

Sorry to find this post so late, but I've found the best place to go is Davesgarden.com and click on Garden Watchdog. Then either enter your zip code to find places close to home that mostly do mail order, or look at the list of top 30 mail order nurseries. I believe you would be quite satisfied ordering from any one of those top 30 sites. Read a lot of the feedback before you order. I've ordered from Bluestone Perrenials (waited for their big spring sale) and got exactly what people had said I would get = inexpensive, healthy, very small plants. I planted them July 4th after holding them 3 weeks, and now in Nov. they are huge! Here is a link that might be useful: Dave's Garden Watchdog

I ordered a Guacamole from Bluestone at the end of the 2007 growing season (was on sale), and was in a small 2 1/2" pot, one eye. Very small. This year, if I remember correctly, it came up with eighteen eyes and is about four feet across. I know Guacamole is a fast grower, but dang! And the flowers smell so nice! I see it sported an all green eye, perhaps two, that'll be separated once I get ready to move it before the garage demo and replant once the new garage is finished. Point being, one must be patient with Bluestone's hostas, they are small, but they do grow. But, if you want bigger plants, go with Hallson's. Karen