wilkes

I switched over to bark nuggets over mulch a long time ago. They last longer, and don't attract insects. You need to put a liner down though.

Unfortunately paving is not an option, I live within the city limits and there is a fire hydrant (the low profile type that you can't really see unless you're aware of it) in my largest rock bed where most of the azaleas are.

Pave it over with concrete. Hose it off occasionally and you are done

Chips and mulch both harbor snakes as they are convenient hiding spots

It's all white gravel right now and costing me a fortune to keep the weeds out of it with round up, plus I'm gonna have to dig up a couple azalea bushes that are half dead, the others are salvageable.

River rock it is then

go low maintenance http://i.imgur.com/jt3CXXU.jpg

Both require a lot of manual labor to spread.

whichever you decide...remember they attract termites...and should be treated accordingly!!!!

Pros, cons?