Some flowers and plants prefer sun, some prefer shade. Is your garden sunny or shady or part sun or part shade? Find out how to tell the difference.

Most flowers have distinct sun or shade preferences. A sun loving plant planted in the shade languishes. It refuses to bloom, leans toward the light, grows thin and sparse, and eventually flops over. Conversely, a shade lover planted in a hot sunny location quickly turns crispy and literally cooks to death. (See Flowers for Shade or Part Shade.)

Some plants will tolerate - or even thrive - in a partial sun or partial shade location. And some plants prefer a cooler location while some are happy in a baking hot spot with sun reflecting off pavement or a building. These kinds of in between locations can be confusing at first, but by experimenting and observing your plants and those around your neighborhood, you will eventually learn what to expect.

Here are some basic guidelines to help you analyze your sun and shade conditions.

Full Sun Part Sun

Full sun is direct sun all day long or for at least six hours including the hour of noon. Sun lovers really do need ample sun or they will not bloom and grow well. However, many full sun plants will tolerate partial sun, meaning all morning sun or all afternoon sun or four or five hours of midday sun and still do well.

Full Shade Part Shade

Shade loving plants tend to scorch in too much direct sun, or in direct sun that is too intense. On the other hand, very few plants actually thrive in total uninterrupted deep shade. Most shade plants appreciate a little bit of direct sun in early morning or very late afternoon.

Plants said to take "shade to partial shade" should do well in fairly heavy shade, in bright dappled light all day, or in morning-only sun. (Dappled light would be intermittent sun reaching the ground through deciduous trees.) Avoid exposing shade lovers to direct, hot noon time sun and direct, hot afternoon sun.

Sun and Shade Answers

It's important to distinguish between sun and shade as part of your site analysis for a flower garden. You may also be interested in

• Part Sun Part Shade Thoughts on those iffy inbetween places.
• Is it Sunny or Shady Here? Tips on foundation plantings
• Starting your first flower garden? Don't miss Flower Garden Basics

All Flower Gardens Articles So Far and FLOWER GARDENS BLOGS

Copyright 2006 Barbara Martin All Rights Reserved

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