Understanding Light Requirements
When choosing your plants, both annuals and perennials, you need to have an understanding of the light requirements of the plant. Generally, the tag supplied with the plant will provide you with this information, but how do you translate this into a location in your yard? We will break it down below!
Full Sun
Plants requiring ‘Full Sun’ require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day (these 6 hours do not need to be consecutive). These plants can generally also handle the heat of the afternoon sun.
Part Sun/Part Shade
Defined as 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Like Full Sun, these hours do not need to be consecutive.
What’s the difference between Part Sun plants and Part Shade plants? Generally, ‘Part Sun’ can imply that the plant could handle a bit more sun and will be more heat tolerant than ‘Part Shade’ plants. ‘Part Shade’ plants will likely need protection from the hot afternoon sun.
Shade
Plants which prefer ‘Shade’, need less than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day, and will need protection from the hot afternoon sun.
When you’re picking out plants for your space, it is important to have a general idea of the amount of sun your space receives, or if you are able to move your plants to other places where they will receive the optimum amount of sunlight.
If you need assistance in picking out your plants, we will be able to help you better if we have a idea of the amount of sunlight your space receives.
