Sure they charge more, they are making up for not selling you mulch
How about using low growing ground cover plants instead!
Ground Covering Plants For Central Florida
Asparagus Fern, Full Sun, Part Shade
Asiatic Jasmine, Full Sun, Part Shade
Beach Morning Glory, Full Sun
Begonia, Full Sun, Part Shade, ( Depending On Species )
Blue Daze, Full Sun, Part Shade
Boston fern, Shade
Bromeliad, Shade, Part Shade, ( Depending On Species )
Carolina Jasmine, Full Sun, Part Shade
Chinese Juniper (Parsoni, Varigata) Full Sun
Creeping Juniper (Bar Harbor, Blue Rug) Full Sun, Part Shade
Dichondra, Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Daylilly, Full Sun, Part Shade
Dwarf Lantana, Full Sun
Dwarf Lilly, Shade
Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Full Sun
English Ivy, Shade
Heather, Full Sun, Part Shade
Holly Fern, Shade
Japanese Holly, Full Sun, Part Shade
Liriope, Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade, ( Depending On Species )
Lippia (Match Weed) Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Mondo Grass, Full Sun, Shade
Mimosa, Full Sun, Part Shade
Minema Jasmine, Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Periwinkle (Vinca) Full Sun
Society Garlic, Full Sun
Shore Juniper (Compacta,Blue Pacific) Full Sun, Part Shade
Trailing Lantana. Full Sun