The five foot zone
In areas at risk from wildfire, bark and mulch are not allowed within five feet of the house. Bark is fuel. Embers that land in it can smolder right against your siding. Decorative rock does not burn.
Where this matters most
Verdi, Washoe Valley and the Lake Tahoe area are where defensible space is a genuine consideration rather than a talking point. Beyond the five foot zone, bark is fine.
Choosing the rock
Three quarter inch rock is the workhorse for beds, smaller gravel is comfortable underfoot, and larger cobble stays put in drainage runs. Two to three inches deep is standard for a bed.
