Although compost can improve soil properties related to plant growth and water quality, the value of amending landscape beds remains questionable. This research assesses the long-term effects of compost and bark on soils and woody plants in landscape beds, and compares the effects of surface application vs. incorporation of compost. Woody landscape plants were established in 2001 in a replicated field experiment with the following treatments: 1) unamended control, 2) compost (7.6 cm) applied as mulch, 3) compost incorporated, 4) bark mulch (7.6 cm), 5) compost mulch + bark mulch, and 6) compost incorporated + bark mulch. Soil measurements were made one or more times between 2002 and 2007, and included bulk density, compaction, infiltration, aggregate stability, soil moisture tension, total C and N, nitrate-N, Bray-P, exchangeable K, and pH. Bark and compost mulch depths were determined three times, and plant growth measured annually. Half of the volume of surface-applied compost and 40% of the soil C increase from incorporated compost were present five years after application, and significant changes in bulk density, compaction, infiltration, and nutrients were apparent. Incorporation of compost had a greater effect than surface application on soil C, N, and bulk density. There was little difference in infiltration, soil moisture tension, and aggregate stability between the two methods of compost amendment, and little difference in nutrient availability except for N. The greatest plant growth occurred when both bark and compost were present. Surface application of compost could provide significant benefits where incorporation is not feasible.