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Full or partial sun?

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  • BizzieBBizzieB Posts: 885
    Phill

    get can seeven established gardens need an overhaul sometimes if you have made a mistake in planting...........gross errors soon become obvious when you get up in the morning, look out at your garden and maybe think...."Now why on earth did I put that there ??"image

    We all do it........some more than othersimage

     

    Couldn't agree more image  just checking the sun rising now and can see where the deep shade is and, ofcourse, as we move into summer the  sun gets higher anyway so shady areas of the garden also change. 

    Hmm. Have a feeling that my herbs are going to be too shaded by full summer, they are a bit leggy from last year. Should I move them? Maybe into pots? 

    Time for a cuppa and a rethink.

  • Scott EdwardsScott Edwards Posts: 227

    Take Alan Titchmarsh's advice and lie in a hammock (or sit in a deck chair - if you're not as post as Alan!) on a sunny summer's day, and watch what happens as the shadows move around the garden. When rude remarks are made by family members, suggesting that you're a lazy so and so, politely explain that you are conducting valuable research.

    Are there areas in the shade all of the time - deep shade - where you cannot read a magazine easily: If so, even shade loving plants will struggle here unless you can improve light levels a bit.

    Light shade beneath the canopy of a tree produces an attractive dappled effect, where it's pleasant to sit and enjoy a cold beer on a hot day: shade loving plants and choice woodland species will enjoy it here. Make sure there is some shelter from strong winds.

    Areas that are in shade for about half of the day: partial shade plants will be happier here.

    If an area is in full sun throughout the whole day: full sun is the plants to choose for here.

     To complicate matters light levels change throughout the year. Deciduous trees will have shed their leaves in winter and there will therefore be more light underneath them in the winter and spring than in full summer. Bulbs often flower in the spring to take advantage of the higher light level in the spring and then enjoy the cool of shade as they recover underground in the summer ready to put on another show the following spring.

    So, in summary:

    • Full Sun - prefer, or even requires, as much sun as is available.
    • Partial Shade - tolerant of (or even prefers) limited or indirect sunlight.
    • Shade - will grow in a site receiving low light, such as under a tree canopy.

    Whilst some plants that prefer full sun will tolerate some shade (and visa versa) your garden will look its best if you plant the right plant in the right place.

  • michael 58michael 58 Posts: 45

    Thank you all for this. It really does make a good and informative read image

  • CaralCaral Posts: 301

    Excellent thread.

    Now to do some Alan Titchmarsh style research. image 

  • michael 58michael 58 Posts: 45

    ----as we speak image

  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276

    This is a highly informative thread and much wisdom on display. Lyn I love that analogy with having children,so true image

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    all my babies, and plants awaiting a home, are standing where the sun has gone by midday whether they are sun or shade lovers. They get fried in the sun and I have to water too much



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,109

    That was beautifully written Scott image

    Award yourself a cup of tea and a cake image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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