Mulch question--nature's choice (coarse mulch) vs. wood chips?

I am not sure what coarse mulch is, but there's something you might want to consider if you go with wood chips: termites! If you place a large amount of decaying wood in close proximity to your home's foundation, this is a welcoming invitation for termites. I have been most pleased with mulching beds with several thicknesses of newspaper, followed by pine straw. Also, I've noticed pine bark doesn't draw the termites in like some kinds of wood chips. If available, adding a layer of oak leaves under the final mulch really does great things for your soil, and draws the earthworms in. When these guys show up and stick around, you know you're doing the right thing!

Relies on what you need the beds to seem like. Anything that covers the bottom is a mulch, even plastic. Yes, newspapers work as a mulch and that you can top it with bark for aesthetics. Drawback is the newspaper decomposes in one season. I've used cardboard, it disappeared in a season as well. Also dried grass clippings, straw, cottonseed hulls, pecan shells, whatever natural and organic trash is generated on your subject. Tire shreds are high-quality as good and now come colored, at least they don't decompose as do the natural and organic mulches.

I learned my lesson about mulch thanks to the start of termites.

I now now used cedar shavings, more expensive but the bugs don't like as well....plus they stay off of my plants better.

you could always call your local tree trimming company. usually they have to pay to dump there trucks, you may get chips for free !