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Landscape Design Ask The Yard Doctor Paint

Does white stucco scorch plants and flowers?

4 years ago

A landscape architect just suggested I reconsider our choice of white stucco for our remodel's exterior because white reflects much more sun and can scorch plants, especially flowering varieties. (We're in SoCal)

Of course we finalized our choice of white stucco/house paint yesterday and the wheels are already in motion. Is this a serious concern? We are not gardeners.

I chose white partly because I figured it might keep the house a little cooler in the summer!

Featured Answer

PRO

Revolutionary Gardens

4 years ago

I haven't seen an issues in hot summers here in VA. Contact your local extension office, they're going to have a better sense of what does and doesn't cause a problem in your area.

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Comments (9)

Laura
4 years ago
Not that I’m aware of. I lived on the Texas coast for 10 years and many houses are white stucco with plants near it. That’s so odd.
Mittens Cat thanked Laura
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Mittens Cat
Original Author
4 years ago
I'm guessing this applies more to desert/semi-desert areas like SoCal, where incessant sunshine is the norm. White stucco + sunshine = death rays to flowers? Oh well. Maybe a misting system will save them.

p.s. "local extension office"? @Revolutionary Gardens
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
It could......but only to plants that might be sensitive to extreme heat. A white surface will reflect heat. That is one of the methods gardeners use to encourage overwintering marginally hardy plants in some areas and also to encourage ripening of fruits and produce that needs good heat to accomplish (ie, figs in cooler climates). Doesn't matter if it is stucco or just white siding. And it also doesn't matter much with location either. It could happen just as easily in Nebraska as it could in SoCal. But it will be very specifically plant-dependent.

Most of the plants commonly used in SoCal landscapes will tolerate these conditions perfectly well, provided they receive the irrigation they require.
Mittens Cat thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Mittens Cat
Original Author
4 years ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9), thanks. Neither of us had our heart set on flowers (sadly, they were not even on our radar). Mainly I was looking for reassurance that our choice of stucco color wasn't going to doom our future garden forever. :) Thanks!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
Mittens, I doubt you have much to worry about :-) And many of the plants that you will likely be using will flower as well. Salvias are a routine component of many SoCal gardens, often southwest native species, and they flower profusely under very hot conditions. Ditto California fuchsia (Epilobium canum/Zauschneria californica). And both are very drought tolerant plants once established.
Mittens Cat thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
PRO
Revolutionary Gardens
4 years ago
@Mittens Cat SoCal could mean coastal San Diego, it could mean El Centro - I think that makes a lot of difference. That's why I suggested extension. Every state's land grant university (UC, for you) has a county ag extension office. It's a terrific (and free!) resource for homeowners, and it's staffed with a mix of degreed horticulturists, and Master Gardener volunteers who are trained on where to look for answers to lawn and garden questions. Here's the link to Cali's: https://ucanr.edu/
Mittens Cat thanked Revolutionary Gardens
Mittens Cat
Original Author
4 years ago
@Revolutionary Gardens, omgosh, my plant-loving son has been trying to tell me this for the past few months but it didn't sink in until you explained it. Thanks! (And yes, I know about our many micro climates---we are 1 mile from the ocean but it feels like the broiling Sahara sometimes!)
PRO
Revolutionary Gardens
4 years ago
@Mittens Cat you're not kidding! the property I cared for in La Jolla, there was easily a 10-15 degree difference between the ocean side of the labs and the eastern side.

Like others have said, plant palette is going to play a large part here. Good luck!
Mittens Cat thanked Revolutionary Gardens

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