The growing conditions of plants have to do with many factors, not just the amount of light a plant receives. Plants do best when planted in environments that are closest to their natural habitats. Growing conditions all are related and will allow some plants to adapt to different conditions. We will address sun exposure below, and how to tell the difference between full sun, partial sun, full shade, shade and partial shade.
The type of soil, the drainage of the soil and the organic matter in the soil, nutrients and the amount of light that is good for proper plant development, affect these conditions. The nutrients and water that are provided for the plant ultimately are as important as light conditions.
Plants that want shade may not do well if the shade is under a tree canopy and the tree is taking up all the nutrients and water. In these cases, you may need to water extra, use a potting soil when planting these plants (Tropical Mix), as well as fertilize more than normal.
It also is important to understand the environment around your home. A good thing to do is draw a sketch map of your home and any trees or large shrubs that affect or shade the sun. Make copies of this map to use for different times of the day to mark sun and shade areas. This will help you understand areas that are sunny or shady. These conditions also change during the seasons, which may make an area that is full sun in the winter have some shade in the spring, summer or fall.
Tracking shade in the garden means considering more than just overhead plants. Buildings, fences and arbors also cast their own shadow patterns. Many north-facing gardens, close to a house, garage, fence or large trees, will get very little direct sunlight. The shadows cast by these sun blockers will vary according to the season.
Spring and fall will see much longer shadows on the north side than during mid-summer, when the sun is mostly overhead. Most often, these types of gardens are cool, shady and damp. Plants that are tolerant to partial shading to full shading are best for this site. On the other hand, south-facing gardens receive lots of sun. West-facing gardens mainly are subjected to afternoon sun, and east-facing gardens only receive morning sun.
You also can use copies of your map to define the types of soils around your home and yard. Sometimes you may have different types of soil in different areas because of the type of fill that may have been developed when your home was built.
"Full Sun"
The type of soil, the drainage of the soil and the organic matter in the soil, nutrients and the amount of light that is good for proper plant development, affect these conditions. The nutrients and water that are provided for the plant ultimately are as important as light conditions.
Plants that want shade may not do well if the shade is under a tree canopy and the tree is taking up all the nutrients and water. In these cases, you may need to water extra, use a potting soil when planting these plants (Tropical Mix), as well as fertilize more than normal.
It also is important to understand the environment around your home. A good thing to do is draw a sketch map of your home and any trees or large shrubs that affect or shade the sun. Make copies of this map to use for different times of the day to mark sun and shade areas. This will help you understand areas that are sunny or shady. These conditions also change during the seasons, which may make an area that is full sun in the winter have some shade in the spring, summer or fall.
Tracking shade in the garden means considering more than just overhead plants. Buildings, fences and arbors also cast their own shadow patterns. Many north-facing gardens, close to a house, garage, fence or large trees, will get very little direct sunlight. The shadows cast by these sun blockers will vary according to the season.
Spring and fall will see much longer shadows on the north side than during mid-summer, when the sun is mostly overhead. Most often, these types of gardens are cool, shady and damp. Plants that are tolerant to partial shading to full shading are best for this site. On the other hand, south-facing gardens receive lots of sun. West-facing gardens mainly are subjected to afternoon sun, and east-facing gardens only receive morning sun.
You also can use copies of your map to define the types of soils around your home and yard. Sometimes you may have different types of soil in different areas because of the type of fill that may have been developed when your home was built.
"Full Sun"
Full Sun does not mean putting a banana in a pot, on a concrete patio, in Phoenix, Ariz., where the sun shines from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is not considered “full sun,” because the concrete may get above 140 degrees F, which technically would be cooking the plant. Most plants will begin to go into distress once the temperature exceeds 100 degrees F. Full sun would mean sun for approximately 6 hours, from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. A different amount of sun for a longer period of time may require more water than normal. Intensity of the sun varies in different locations on the globe during different times of the year.
"Partial Sun"
"Partial Sun"
Partial sun is considered full sun in the morning, but not sun of the intensity in the afternoon. You could have sun in the morning and/or sun in the late afternoon and be considered partial sun. This may be accomplished with shade from the home itself or trees and larger shrubs.
"Shade"
"Shade"
Shade would mean that a plant would be protected form the direct sun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Some shade plants will adapt to different degrees of sun, but may be affected in its growth habit. Dappled light is usually best for most shade-loving plants. These plants primarily can take the sun when it is not the hot scorching sun of the afternoon. Sometimes it is impossible to have a plant in full shade all day long, but it is best the plant is shaded from mid-morning to late afternoon.
"Full Shade"
"Full Shade"
The full-shade category is a site where less than two hours of direct sun are received. This can be a variation of partial shade and dense shade. Some experts also include a separate category for dense shade that receives no light and is too dark to successfully grow most shade-tolerant plants. An extremely small list of plants fit into this category.
"Semi-Shade" (Partial Shade)
"Semi-Shade" (Partial Shade)
Partial shade is defined primarily as three to five hours of direct sun or protection from sun during the hottest part of the day.
Many plants grow their best in partial sun (or part shade). In this situation, temperatures are moderated slightly and relief from the blazing sun is present for part of the day. Flowers can last longer, and colors often are more intense in part shade locations. Filtered light during the most intense time of the day (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) is much more beneficial than any other time of the day. Bright light (not direct sun) during mid-day often produces a better garden than full sun in the morning or late afternoon. It is the intensity of this mid-day light that has the most impact on the growth of plants. Reflected light from a building or water supplier can also be included as part of the light received by a plant in this category.