A 'shade' question

Beagle · Apr 14, 2011

My border is by a north-facing fence, so never receives direct sun. I'm looking into shade-tolerant plants, but finding it a bit confusing. Can someone tell me the difference between 'light shade', 'partial shade' and 'full shade'?

wiseowl · Apr 14, 2011

Hi Beagle this is only my own interpretation of these terms

Dappled Shade/Partial: is created by a light canopy of tree foliage, possibly a pergola.This is where a moving pattern of sunlight and shade across the ground provides direct sun for one or two hours a day, then the area receives bright indirect sun during the rest of the day.
Light Shade: is also open shade because the area is open to the sky, but hedges, walls or other structures block the direct light.The area still receives plenty of reflected bright light even though there is no direct sun.
Deep Shade/Full: is basically the area that doesn’t receive any direct sun.These areas are commonly found under evergreens.

Marley Farley · Apr 14, 2011

Hi Beagle, well it was always explained to me like this..

Full Sun: Six hours of sunlight each day, minimum.

Partial Sun: Three to six hours of daily sun, ideally in the morning and early afternoon.

Partial Shade: Basically the same as partial sun, except that plants need relief from intense late afternoon sun at its most intense so these plants need some shady borders etc.

Dark Shade: Very dense and dark, such as the areas under evergreens.

Medium Shade: Shade provided by deciduous trees. Also called dappled sun..

Light Shade: Shade provided by buildings or trees as the day progresses..
Click to expand...

You could make a shade/sun map of your property before you plant. Check the light every hour or two and mark on a diagram of your garden where the sun falls..
Rather than expecting your plants to make do with whatever sun they get, choose plants that will do well with the available sunlight..

clueless1 · Apr 14, 2011

I too am a bit confused by the 'shade' classifications, but it's been explained well here. Except I still have a question.

When people say full sun means at least 6 hours per day of direct sunshine, is this at a particular time of year, eg midsummer, or is at at least 6 hours per day right throughout the growing season?

Also, what does that mean for us in good old blighty, where we're lucky to get any direct sun on most days, just the diffused sunshine that penetrates the clouds that we always have?

Beagle · Apr 15, 2011

Thanks for the replies.

So, to clarify, a border by a north-facing fence would be considered 'full shade'?

clueless1 · Apr 17, 2011

Beagle, my back garden is north facing, so I think you and I are facing similar challenges.

I found a really good book that helps out no end. Its called 'Gardening in the Shade, by Alan Titchmarsh, part of the 'How to garden' series, by BBC books.

Alan Titchmarsh How to Garden: Gardening in the Shade: Amazon.co.uk: Alan Titchmarsh: Books

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A 'shade' question

Beagle Apprentice Gardener

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A 'shade' question

Beagle Apprentice Gardener

wiseowl Admin Staff Member

Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

Beagle Apprentice Gardener

clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

Another Eucalyptus. gunni question with photo

Another question re- soil improver and compost

Help a newbie with raspberry bush question please

Fertiliser gadgets / products question

Hedychium question

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