Shep I'm a firm believer of mulch. I order a truck load every year. (cheaper then buying it in bags) I like the dark pine bark mulch. Everyone is different. I think it brings out the color of the plants.
I do however make it a point to turn in last years mulch in the soil a few inches and edge every garden. Yes this is a lot of work, it takes me 6-8 weeks to get all the gardens done.
I usually finish around the end of May. Then start mulching. Probably a month later I am finally finished. Just as the hot weather arrives in my area.
Three months of work has now paid off. I rarely get weeds and do not have to do anything to the gardens till September other then dead-head flowers.