Melcourt Ornamental Bark Mulch™

A high-performance mulch suitable for a wide range of smaller-scale professional and domestic landscape applications, where a neat, decorative finish is required.

How To Use
• Ensure the area to be mulched is entirely free from both annual and perennial weeds
• Lay Melcourt Ornamental Bark Mulch evenly onto freshly cultivated moist soil, after planting has been completed.
• The mulch should be laid at between 50 to 100mm depths, allowing at least 5% for settlement
• For greatest longevity, do not disturb once applied

Product Description
• Nominal particle size range 5 to 35mm
• Naturally acidic
• Free flowing and easy to handle
• Rich mid-brown in colour
• Long effective service life of 2 years plus
• Fire resistant characteristics, confirmed by testing in accordance with BS 4790:1987, make Melcourt Ornamental Bark Mulch particularly useful in areas of potential fire risk, e.g. car parks, vehicle fuel filling stations, adjacent to offices and pedestrian walk ways, housing estates etc
• Processed from natural, sustainably produced British pine, Douglas Fir and larch bark
• RHS endorsed (when sold in 60 litre bags)
• Certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)*
• 100% peat free
• Hostile living environment for pests
• Suppresses weed growth replacing expensive shrub bed hoeing and chemical weed-killing
• Conserves soil moisture, minimising drought stress and plant death and eliminating the need for excessive plant watering
• Substantially enhances the visual appearance of new and existing planted areas
• Successfully used for many years on sites throughout the UK and proved to perform extremely well
• Provides an insulating layer, substantially reducing the effects of ground freezing and over-heating during extreme weather conditions
• Slowly improves the soil’s organic content, as it decomposes into the soil
• Easy to lay and install, using simple tools and requiring little subsequent maintenance
• Allows clean access onto mulched area for plant pruning

The Basics

Ideal soil

Acidic soil, good organic content, pH 4.5-6.0. Inkarho range of rhododendrons will tolerate soils up to pH7.5

Sun or Shade

Light dappled shade is best for most varieties.

Shelter

Refer to hardiness rating. Give young plants protection.

Site Selection

Avoid close to trees, roots, invasive weeds, walls, hot patios, dry banks and waterlogged soils. Do not use weed matting or stone mulch.

Plant spacing

Use the height shown in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Allow room for plant to fill out. If planting closer for instant impact, be prepared to move plants after a few years.

Compost

• 3 litre pot, dig in 10-20 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 7.5 litre pot, dig in 20-30 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 70-80cm specimen, dig in 60 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 100-120cm specimen, dig in 120 litres of ericaceous compost.

Planting depth

Plant high in the ground, with the top of the rootball visible.

Feeding

Slow-release ericaceous feed recommended in March and straight after flowering.

Mulch

Recommended every few years.

Water

The key ingredient! Keep moist all season, especially the critical time at end of June for flower bud initiation. Tap water is better than no water. Heavy dose at least once per week in dry weather.

Drainage

Ensure good drainage in winter, especially with yellow flowering varieties. Avoid waterlogged sites.

Pruning

Rhododendrons and Camellias: Not normally required. Tidy wayward shoots after flowering.

Evergreen azaleas and Bloombux can be clipped into a low hedge.

Magnolias and Acers: Formative pruning when young to shape into a tree or bush.

Deadheading

Remove old flower-heads, particularly on young or weak plants.

For further advice see here

Size Guide

Delivery & Returns

Our website calculates the delivery charge according to weight and delivery location throughout the UK. To see these charges, please enter your postcode at the checkout, and you will see the charge vary as you add more items to your wheelbarrow.

Please see here for delivery information

Please see here for cancellation and return information