Plants usually come labeled with their sun exposure requirements. Measuring
sun exposure for plants is not an exact science. There will always be variab
les such as cloudy days and places where it gets to be 100 degrees in the sh
ade. The definitions below are the generally accepted standards for determin
ing sun exposure in the garden.
Full Sun: At least 6 full hours of direct sunlight. Many sun lovers enjoy mo
re than 6 hours per day, but need regular water to endure the heat.
Partial Sun / Partial Shade: These 2 terms are often used interchangeably to
mean 3 - 6 hours of sun each day, preferably in the morning and early after
noon.
- However if a plant is listed as Partial Sun, greater emphasis is put on it
s receiving the minimal sun requirements.
- If a plant is listed as Partial Shade, the plant will need some relief fro
m the intense late afternoon sun, either from shade provided by a nearby tre
e or planting it on the east side of a building.
Dappled Sun: Dappled sunlight is similar to partial shade. It is the sun tha
t makes its way through the branches of a deciduous tree. Woodland plants an
d underplantings prefer this type of sunlight over even the limited direct e
xposure they would get from partial shade.
Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight each day, with filtered sun
light during the rest of the day. Full shade does not mean no sun. There are
n't many plants, except mushrooms, that can survive in the dark.
