Sun and Shade

All plants require sunlight to grow but differ in the amount and intensity of light needed to thrive. 

Full Sun: Plants that need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Many full sun plants thrive under sunny skies from dawn to dusk.

Part Sun: Plants that thrive with between 3 and 6 hours of direct sun per day.

Part Shade: Plants that require between 3 and 6 hours of sun per day but need protection from intense midday sun.

Full Shade: Plants that need no direct sunlight per day.  They just need bright shade. Shade plants may require anything from the indirect light found on the north side of the house to the deep shade found under evergreens. Filtered light, such as that found beneath a deciduous tree canopy, is a good setting for full shade plants.

Part Sun and Part Shade: Most plants requiring either part sun or part shade do well in filtered light for most of the day, or direct sun during the morning or afternoon.  Several hours of afternoon sun is more intense and creates more heat than morning sun.