Walk through any Summerville neighborhood and you'll see both: rust-colored pine straw tucked under azaleas and dark hardwood mulch around foundation plantings. Both suppress weeds and hold moisture, but they behave differently in our climate.
Pine straw is light, interlocks as it settles, and stays put on slopes and in heavy rain, which is a real advantage in a place where summer storms dump inches in an hour. It breaks down slowly, lets water through easily, and suits acid-loving plants like azaleas, camellias, and hollies. It's also the classic Lowcountry look.
Hardwood mulch reads as more formal and holds its color well in modern landscapes. It's better at smothering weeds when laid at a proper depth, and it breaks down into the soil faster, which feeds the bed. On steep or flood-prone spots it can float or wash, so it works best on flatter, well-drained beds.
Whichever you choose, prep matters more than material. Weed the beds first, cut a clean edge, keep material a few inches off tree trunks and siding, and don't pile it into 'volcanoes' around trees. A layer refreshed once or twice a year looks better and works better than one thick pile that's left for years.
If you're unsure, we're happy to recommend a material bed by bed when we measure for an install.