Which mulch will reflect the most sunlight light ?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I have an area in my front that is quite shaded so I am trying to use an aesthetically acceptable mulch that will make the most usage of sunlight

because it has to look land scape acceptable, I'm going to have to pass on the aluminum looking silver mulch.

Based on my research, quartz rock mulch because it's smooth and glossy should be my best bet? How about white glass mulch? That looks even glossier even though it's appreciably more expensive which isn't a concern to me

I understand that tumbled glass and rock mulch do not offer organic material. I am actually going to put the rock or tumbled glass or whatever reflects the most on top or organic matter mulch

does anyone have perhaps a list of the most reflective mulches or can anyone tell me what I should look for?

thanks

Featured Answer

toxcrusadr

7 years ago

Silver and gold spray paint? Wait is this a garden or Trump Tower? :-P

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Comments (8)

daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Organics are pretty dark. Not a lot of opportunity there. Aluminum foil on the ground probably isn't "landscape acceptable". White rock mulch is a possibility, but you're not going to be doing much cultivation there, I guess, if you use it. You could consider painting a wooden lattice panel bright white, and propping that up just above the soil, maybe with bricks. It would last for a while that way, and it could be attractive. Plant through the lattice holes. Pull the whole thing up when you want to till and cultivate.

Worth remembering that most non-specular (e.g. not mirror-like) reflective surfaces diffuse the light in all directions. So white paint and or mineral mulch won't reflect the light straight back up, but at all angles, which may not help plants that much.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Why not make life simple for yourself and grow plants there that will appreciate the available light? There are endless possibilities........
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toxcrusadr
7 years ago
I'm a bit concerned about putting rock on top of organic mulch. Unless you put down some kind of barrier, the rock is going to eventually sink down into the mulch or the ground itself. You could use a weed cloth I suppose, so it's permeable (not plastic sheeting, please!) if this is really something you're going to do.

There just aren't a lot of options other than what you've already listed.
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
7 years ago
Well, I have shady areas, and at least for vegetable gardening, the possibilities are not even close to endless. But yes, there are plenty of ornamentals that would thrive in such a location.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
If the OP is contemplating rock or glass in the front I very much doubt that s/he is talking about a vegetable garden I agree with GG. Just use shade tolerant pants and save yourself hassle and disappointment.
avgusta_gw
7 years ago
I'd put cypress mulch ( or pine bark large pieces) and spray it with shiny paint-silver, gold, copper, bronze, white... whatever you prefer. Or may be spray four bags of that mulch with different colors and then mix them together to get more landscaping acceptable look. It's gonna be beautiful, it's gonna be great! (c) :)))
avgusta_gw
7 years ago
Perhaps, it is a garden on the roof of that tower:))) or may be Eden there :)))

Which mulch will reflect the most sunlight light ?

toxcrusadr

Comments (8)

daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

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toxcrusadr

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avgusta_gw

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