Partial shade what does it mean

We all know we should match our plants to the light conditions they need, but many people are confused by the terms used to describe those conditions. What is "partial shade," anyway? Not much light comes from the north. A further complication: The sunlight in your yard changes all the time, as the days grow longer or shorter and the angle of the sun shifts. Trees or buildings may cast a longer shadow in your garden at some times of the year.

Once you know, you can check plant labels to choose appropriate plants. Here are Taylor's explanations of the light terms you'll see on labels and in gardening books. Full sun: This means the site gets a minimum of six hours of direct, unobstructed sunlight every day.

A full-sun site might get four hours of sun in the morning, be shaded by a tree at noon, and be exposed to sun again for four more hours in the afternoon and evening. Part sun and part shade: "These terms are the most confusing," Taylor says.

Generally, part sun means four to six hours of direct sun every day. Part shade sometimes means a shorter period of sunlight, but it also usually means a site that is sheltered from the intense afternoon sun. In general, full sun is at least 6 hours of unobstructed direct sun which is what most of the lawn grasses grown here prefer. Less than the optimal sunlight and the grass become stressed. Full shade is bright light but little or no direct sun; what we often refer to as dappled light.

Most people assume full shade means no light but plants require some form of light to produce carbohydrates sugars for normal plant processes such as reproduction, protection and growth. It is often very difficult to determine exactly how much light your landscape plants are receiving — with the exception of full sun. Most of our landscape plants thrive with hours or more of morning sun then some protection from the harsh afternoon sun. It is generally thought partial shade prefers 3 hours of the morning sun with dappled light or some protection from the afternoon sun.

This is probably the most common shade in suburban backyards and is also the most common woodland shade-garden environment. Plants in this type of shade can receive significant light but it is unpredictable and highly seasonal. Photo: Dappled shade falling on mixed perennial garden. This type of shade is found on the perimeter of a deciduous woodland around individual trees. Light that reaches the plants is sufficient for growth and flowering, but there is enough shade to protect plants from burning during hot, summer days.

Bright shade falls on the surfaces near lakes, ponds, windows, and white walls which often reflect light. Many plants can actually grow in this bright shade but pay special attention to how much light is reflected at different times of the day and season. However, planting areas to the east will receive morning sun and afternoon shade! In spring, some plants thrive on morning shade rhododendrons, magnolias, and fruit trees because their delicate flower buds need to warm up gradually after a frosty night.

But in summer, west-facing plants receive the hottest sun of the day, so choose tough, drought-tolerant plants that can cope with the afternoon heat. Late-day sun can scorch leaves and flowers, so site plants that need protection from heat as well as sun. Plants such as hostas, astilbes, and clematis prefer areas with afternoon shade. In general, the hotter your climate, the better afternoon shade is for your plants. Often, areas in full shade receive little direct sunlight, but some ambient light reaches plants by being reflected off nearby surfaces.

In full shade, plants do grow steadily but slowly. These areas of low light intensity are often coupled with dry soil, so plants also need to be very drought-tolerant to grow here. Both deep and full shade is the dense kind of shade found on the darker side of houses our under evergreens or closely spaced shrubs and trees that do not allow any direct light to penetrate.

This is the most cooling kind of shade but is also the most difficult; it takes effort to find plants that will bloom here.