re: Pine needles, hay, or cypress mulch?

Pine straw fades in full sun fairly quickly IMO. It's the most economical and best for the environment, but it does not hold up. Kinda PITA to put down, too. Some pine straw bales are full of sticks.

Softscape was the best at holding the "new" look for the longest, but apparently they have gone out of business. I paid a premium last year to go full softscape, now I can't get the stuff. frick!