I like to use straw in some areas and other areas I'm using cedar mulch. Living groundcovers work to a point but I find here that they don't improve the soil and they are a pain to weed in and around. Around my roses I usually use cypress or cedar mulch but this year I had several straw bales left over from using as a winter break around my cat house so I'm using those up. Leaves work great also and I leave whatever leaves that fall into the gardens there.
