Is it Sunny or Shady Here?

Apr 21, 2006

More sun and shade tips. How to analyze the light conditions for a foundation planting, pointers on how light exposure changes by compass point, season and time of day.

Here are some practical tips on analyzing the sun and shade conditions for planting flowers around your house and yard. We all have a foundation area and many of us like to plant flowers there to brighten up the overall look, so I'll start with that.

Foundation Plantings

If you are planting along a foundation, sun loving plants may do fine on the south side of your house and on the east side and the west side. Those that like hot sun will do well on the south side and west side; those that do not like heat will do better on the east side in morning sun. Those that prefer shade to part sun will do well on the east side and northeast corner. Those needing full or heavy shade will do well along the center of the north wall.

As you move further out away from the building, beyond whatever shade it casts, you have full sun conditions assuming there are no neighboring trees or obstructions.

When planting near a tree or fence or similar source of shade, these same general rules apply.

Seasonal Changes

Keep in mind also that the sun angle changes throughout the year. In winter, the sun is lower in the sky so shadows are long. In summer the sun is higher in the sky and shadows are noticeably shorter. So don't be too shocked if a spot that was shaded by your house in December becomes sunny in June.

Time of Day Changes

When you analyze sun and shade, it's a good idea to keep the compass points in mind. But it also pays to check it out in person. Early morning has longer shadows than midday, and late day shadows are longer again. So go outside and look at the sun and shade patterns throughout the day (and throughout the seasons) to see how the sun moves across the ground. You may be surprised!

Sun and Shade Articles

This article is part of series. It's important to distinguish between sun and shade as part of your site analysis for a flower garden. Here are three articles to help you do that.

The copyright of the article Is it Sunny or Shady Here? in Flower Gardens is owned by Barbara M. Martin. Permission to republish Is it Sunny or Shady Here? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.