Home » Misc » North facing garden sun

North facing garden sun


Hours of Sunlight For a North-Facing Garden (How To Improve)

Most plants grown in gardens need from 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. However, if your garden faces north or doesn’t get enough sunlight, you might be worried if starting a garden either indoor or outdoor is a good idea. 

The number of sunlight hours of a north-facing garden depends on 1) emisphere 2) season, 3) house location 4) light blockers 5) weather conditions. North-facing gardens receive the least hours of sunlight in the nothern emisphere. Some plants can thrive in such conditions while others will suffer.

Hence, if you are stuck with a north-facing garden it is difficult to know whether you should put the effort into growing a garden or not. There are a few things you need to know. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

The Emisphere Matter (and Microclimate)

A north-facing garden in the southern hemisphere can get the most sunlight in November, December, and January. In the northern hemisphere, the most sunlight goes to a south-facing garden from May until July. 

North emimpshere located gardens (UK and USA) that are North-East oriented can enjoy some light from 4am-until 9am during springtime. In summer the garden can have lights the whole day. 

The limited hours of light during spring is responsable for delay in growth. Many gardener I talked with mentioned 2-3 weeks delay of their spring flowers in northfacing garden compared to southfacing ones.

However, think in this way. If you live in a place where summer can get really hot, having some shade area in your north-facing garden can be really a plus. Indeed, you can easily cover it in grass (that will grow OK in sunny areas even if north-faced) and place some cosy chairs and garden tables. This will allow you to have a cooler outdoor place where to go during those too hot sunny summer days.

How to Determine Your Sun Zone and Plant a Shade Garden | The Home Depot


Watch this video on YouTube

The Microclimate

This is something I want to talk about quickly. It is an important topic in gardening that not many talks about. If you keep reading it will change the way you do gardening avoid to think only in the number of sunlight hours.

The amount of lights is important beyond what people normally espect. Indeed, the light received heavily affects the garden microclimate both indoor and outdoors. This means temperature and moisture level in the air. The factors that affect your garden climate are direction, location, slope, elevation, berm, and wind exposure. 

Garden Direction – a garden facing north will likely receive the least sunlight. There is more moisture even in summer so ferns, moss, and orchids can thrive here. In the winter, frost can linger even when there’s sun. 

Slopes and Elevations – If your north-facing garden is located on top of a slope where it is windier, soil will tend to dry out faster. The angle of slope determines shade as well as soil moisture. For instance, gardens on steeper slopes will have dryer soil. 

Berms – With less sunlight, the flat soil at the bottom of a slope or hillside is shaded, can develop cold air pockets, and collect moisture. Plants that require well-drained soil may not do well in this area where it is cooler with more moisture in the air. 

Wind Exposure – Keep in mind that a north-facing garden exposed to windy weather has high evaporation and drier soil. Wind may also damage tender leaves. Plants with waxy, thick, or leathery leaves (e.g., lavender, rosemary) tend to resist wind damage.

Gardening With Microclimate In Mind - An Example of an Incredible Microclimate


Watch this video on YouTube

New Houses Are Not Garden Friendly (Market Tactic)

In the UK, as well as in many other northern countries, houses are more and more built with their entrance southfacing to increase the house sale price.  

Hours Of Sunlight For A North Facing Garden – Infographic

Indeed, when people visit the house, before buying, it is during day time and walking naturally illuminated rooms leaves a very positive impression on the potential future buyer increasing sales.

However, a southfacing entrance often implies a back north-facing garden. If this is your case you can enjoy lots of sunshine in your kitchen or living room, but not in your garden. These houses are ideal for indoor gardens.

Another aspect you need to check is the location of houses compared to the garden. If your house entrance is southfacing and the garden is on the back, just outside the house, this is probably the worst combo. 

Indeed, the house will create a long shadow in the north-facing garden making it cold and chilled even during summer. This is especially important if you live in a place where the summer is mild (like in the UK, Kansas, Nebraska etc…). In those areas, the north-facing garden can get really cold (close to autumn) during spring late hours, making common spring plants to blossom late (if not at all).

What Can You Grow in a North Facing Garden?

There are a large variety of plants (from herbs, to flower plants and vegetables) that can be grown succesfull in a shade garden. Some of them might simply be fine. They will grow and develop. Their harvest is not comparable to what you can have in a south-facing garden. Others might even thrive.

To discover more I just wrote a whole article on the topic.

A list of shade tollerant plants

Hours of Sunlight 

Garden that faces north is shaded most of the day. Nonetheless it can get good sunlight hours from May to October. Good news: a garden that is shaded at midday can be used to your advantage, such as for growing lighter, less bitter vegetables.

Of course, a partially-shaded area that doesn’t get full sun all day long is the perfect microclimate for growing fruits and vegetables that don’t like direct sunlight. Also, you can extend cool-season crops from springtime up to early summertime.

Full sun: From 10 A. M. to 6 P. M., the full-sun areas in your garden are those that get at least 6 hours of direct sunshine each day. However, since sun strength is weaker in northern climates, full-sun plants need at least 8 hours of sunlight per day.

Partial shade: Partial shade or partial sun are areas that get from 3 to 6 hours of sunlight and are shaded the rest of the time. Partial shade can be filtered or dappled where the sunlight shines through leafy trees.

Get Gardening: North-facing Fun


Watch this video on YouTube

Types of Shade

To determine the amount of shade in your north-facing garden let’s identify the types of shade that you can find in your garden. Depending on the shade, some plants can do better than others.

Open shade: The spots in your garden that get a lot of bright light but no direct sun is called an open-shade area. Although the area is open to the sky, there is a house, fence, or wall that blocks the sun.

Filtered shade: This is where a moving pattern of sunlight gets through the branches of a tree. Each day, this shaded area may get less than 4 hours of direct sunlight. 

Medium shade: This is a combination of open shade with more light blocking from leaves and branches. Pruning can increase sunlight exposure.

Deep shade: This is the shade under trees with thick leaves and branches, such as in a forest, where little sunlight penetrates. Very few plants can grow in deep shade.

Although many doubt the value of tools that measure sunlight exposure, some of your options include lower-cost sunlight calculators such as one from Luster Leaf on Amazon, or more higher-priced tools such as the Solar Power Radiation Meter.

Sun Map of Your Garden To Know it Better

One of the ways to know if your garden is a sun map. Put simply, a sun map details the shaded spots and where the sun shines directly into the garden. This sun map helps you identify the areas with the most and least sunlight at key points of the day, throughout the year. 

To create a sun map the easiest way is to take, at interval of 2-3 hours durig day time of the garden. This will allow you to spot immediately those spots where lights hit the most.

If your garden’s sunlight exposure varies due to moving shade, try a container garden. Move the pots or containers to spots that receive the most sunlight. Another alternative is an indoor garden in the southfacing part of your house. You can easily grow herbs such as mint and rosemary.

To make the story short, if you have a north-facing garden that gets less sunlight, sun-mapping is easy and will help you position the right plants correctly so that they can get the right amount of sunshine.

Sun Mapping Your Garden the Easy Way 🌞🌚🌗🌞Determine Sun, Shade and Part Shade


Watch this video on YouTube

Sun Blockers and Reflectors

Having read this far, you’ll agree that even the greenest of thumbs can have hard times with the wrong microclimate due to a north-facing garden with lack of windows.

Still, technology helps, so let’s look at options such as decreasing sun blockers and using sunlight reflectors for shaded garden areas.

Sun Blockers 

As mentioned, sunblockers can include clouds, fog, smoke, mist, as well as the shadows of structures such as fences, hedges, buildings, or large trees. In most cases, these are beyond our control.

Match different plants with the different amounts of sunlight exposure. For a sunny spot, plant a row of peppers and tomatoes. For a spot that only gets morning sunlight, plant lettuce and greens.

Some low-issue strategies to remove sun blockers include trimming hedges or pruning branches. However, if your sun blockers are meteorological elements, it’s best to be patient for those clouds or fog to blow away. 

If like me you live in an area where it is constantly cloudy, then I would go for very stubborn plants like fern or very shade loving (check this article for more).

Reflectors

One of the most unconventional but practical ways to increase sunlight in shaded garden areas is the use of reflectors. You can reflect light towards your garden in a couple of ways. 

Some claims that reflected light is effective in enabling the success of many gardeners, although this can be a win strategy indoor. 

Put simply, reflecting sunlight uses reflective or light-colored surfaces to bring a lot of light and energy to plants growing in shaded areas. In this way, you can bounce sunlight to spots where tall buildings, trees, or fences block the sun.

One thing to keep in mind is this: in the summertime, the sun is several degrees higher in the sky compared to the same time in the winter, so you’ll have to adjust those reflector angles. Here are some examples of reflective technologies available today.

PRO TIP: Be very careful when using glass or metal reflecting surfaces. These can focus so much heat that plants can be burned. 

This rotating mirror is designed to give you more sun in the beer garden


Watch this video on YouTube

Takeaways

Successful gardening requires a good grasp of the right plants for your climate and the right places to position them. These are as easy as getting the right moisture and soil quality.

What’s a bit tricker to manage is sunlight exposure, particularly where the sunshine is limited by your location, or blocked by trees or buildings. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Know your location – know the hours of sunlight, the types of shade, and the shade patterns available to plants in your garden;
  2. Map it out – Create a sun map for each season to remind you when and where the sun is available to your plants at key points of the day;
  3. Choose your plants – Choose the types of plants according to their sunlight requirements and plant them in the right spots in your garden;
  4. Remove sunblockers – When you can, prune trees and trim bushes to increase sunlight exposure to your plants;
  5. Use reflective surfaces – There are many ways to reflect sunlight as it travels across the sky. Use reflective surfaces that can make your garden glow – yes, even if you have a north-facing garden.    

These are just some of the many ideas for adjusting sunlight exposure for  your plants. You will find that many plants can adapt and flourish. Also, keep in mind that light is only a part of gardening. The point is, don’t be afraid to try things out, explore and experiment.  

That’s all and I wish you a very good happy gardening!

yourindoorherbs.com is part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites like mine to earn advertising fees by promoting good quality Amazon.com products. I may receive a small commission when you buy through links on my website

North-facing garden ideas: 19 ways to improve shaded outdoor space

North-facing gardens may not be as high on the wish list to that of South-facing gardens, where there's the advantage of more sunshine, but every garden is a valuable haven for any home. The key is in knowing how to make the most of the shaded space. With our expert tips owning a home with a north-facing garden no longer means having to compromise a beautifully lush outdoor space.

In fact a variety of plants have been introduced to the UK gardening scene in recent years which don’t require lots sunlight, making them better suited to north-facing garden ideas. Meaning there’s still plenty that can be grown and thrive in north-facing gardens, with some careful prep and planning.

North-facing garden ideas for a flourishing outdoor space

'Often clients come to me with a north-facing garden and think of it as a problem area - but really, there is a wealth of planting potential' explains professional gardener Rachel Morgan, who shares her work @Terra_Legra_ on Instagram.

'Shade planting can be joyous - lush greenery, pops of colour when you least expect it, and some of my favourite plants thrive in these kinds of spaces. With the right intel on which plants can thrive, a north facing garden can be just as pleasing as any other aspect.'

Read on to find out how best to achieve a thriving plot, even when your garden is mostly in the shade.

1. Embrace lush greenery

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme)

'Embracing lush greenery can be incredibly impactful in north-facing gardens' explains gardener Rachel.  'Green gardens do not have to be dull or boring, as you can have incredible variation in green shades. One of the great benefits of having a lush, mostly-green garden is that invariably many of these will be evergreen, so you will have constant interest all year round.'

'Pops of colour can be added seasonally, or in certain sections of the garden for extra impact. For example, a fully shaded border can be filled with ferns, but add hellebores for a jolt of colour in spring, and welsh poppies for the same in summer.'

2. Consider the impact of ground cover

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme)

'Ground cover can really work wonders in a north-facing garden where light is lacking' says Rachel. 'Filling a space can be done in a pleasing, organic way with ground cover, which creeps and expands to the space.'

'Vinca minor is a brilliant plant for this' advises Rachel. 'You can also use dogstooth violets, cyclamen, bergenia, cardamine, and euphorbias for the same effect. '

3. Know your shade

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Michelle Garrett)

It’s important to understand the type of shade that envelops your garden, in order to identify how best to deal with it.

'For some there may only be light shade which is open to the sky but with no direct sunlight, whilst others may have deep shade due to a dense tree cover. Taking the time to do this will make the process of choosing suitable plants that little bit easier. Some plants like the Hosta family thrive under light shade, whilst the ‘soft shield’ fern can blossom in dry shade with little to no sun' advises Chris.

4. Plant on repeat

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

Where your options are limited it's always advisable to play to strengths, and that for north-facing garden ideas is planting on repeat! 'Repeat planting is incredibly helpful in north facing gardens where the planting options are more limited' explains Rachel. 'Repeating plants not only increases your options for what to choose, but it leads the eye throughout the garden space and adds to a sense of cohesion. '

5. Make the most of natural light

(Image credit: Future plc/ Tim Young)

Any obstructions to sunlight must be removed, including any trees or structures in order to maximise light levels. 'Remove a layer of leaves from a particular dense canopy to do this, or look at lowering imposing hedges that may obstruct light' suggests Chris.

6. Create more light

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Still)

If your garden is lacking light try creating your own with a few savvy tricks of the trade.  There are clever ways to create ‘fake’ light in the garden. A popular method includes installing a garden pond idea, with the water reflecting much needed light back into the surrounding space. For a cheaper option consider adding mirrors to an outbuilding or decorating pieces which will utilise the little light.

7. Generously plant bulbs

(Image credit: Future PLC)

'Many bulbs thrive in shadier spaces, so come autumn you can really fill a border with hyacinths, snowdrops, crocuses, fritillaria, tulips, muscari and scilla' advises expert gardener Rachel.   'These will need to be planted in the autumn ready for a bold, brash riot of colour come the spring.'

8. Choose plants that thrive in shade

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Amateur Gardening)

It’s important to understand that different plants have different needs. Some require large amounts of sun and thrive in dry conditions. Others only prosper in shady and damp areas, perfect for planting in north facing gardens.

Try planting flowers which do well in limited light conditions often reserved for winter like Snowdrops or Cyclamen Coum which are revered for their hardy properties. 'By simply taking the time to learn about the plants which prosper in an environment with little sunshine, achieving a flourishing garden is surprisingly easy,' explains Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express .

9. Improve the soil

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Oliver Gordon)

Help plants thrive by getting the most suitable soil to suit their needs. Marcus advises, 'Improve the soil quality to aid plant growth. Add manure and some grit if the soil doesn’t drain well.'

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

Majority of full-turf grasses will require a large amount of sunlight and without they can end up deteriorating and becoming prone to disease. Therefore, extra care is required to avoid the lawn becoming sparse due to the lack of sunlight.

'Ensure the grass is fed and not cut too often or look at putting down a shade friendly species of grass. Such as those from the Fescue family, all of which are incredibly adaptable to varying amounts of shade.'

11. Grow your own herbs

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Bevan)

Dobbies Garden Centres Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles recommends the conditions for growing herbs. 'Create a herb garden' he suggests, 'Although Mediterranean herbs love full sun, there are a number of herbs that will thrive in partial shade, such as chives, coriander, parsley and rocket, keeping you supplied with homegrown pickings. '

12. Enliven the space with sunshine yellow

(Image credit: Dobbies)

Welcome a splash of bright yellow to your north-facing garden to substitute the sunshine. Painting a wall or fence is a quick option which offers maximum impact for a backdrop to lush greenery. Alternatively, you could incorporate this sunny shade with furniture and accessories.

Outdoor Living Buyer at Dobbies, Lynsey Abbott explains, 'The bright uplifting tone of yellow works perfectly outdoors. A naturally good fit for the garden, it is rooted in the colour of nature - reminiscent of warm spring days, golden daffodils, and cheery sunflowers. Versatile and timeless, it can easily be incorporated into every outdoor space. Whatever the weather, this shade will help to bathe your garden in sunshine!' ideal for shady gardens lacking the real thing!

13. Choose soft neutral for hard landscaping

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Darker gardens need all the help they can get to feel brighter, keep that in mind when choosing hard landscaping. Choosing lighter stoneware or gravel for a patio or terrace will help to prevent the space from feeling flat and even darker. Keep all the colour choices bright to enhance the light quality.

14. Go faux for a perfect lawn

(Image credit: Carpetright)

In a garden that is more lacking in direct sunlight, artificial grass may be the better option. This very modern way of turfing a garden requires no element of sunshine to maintain a Wimbledon-esque look all year round.

A popular alternative to real grass, fake grass will ensure your lawn looks Wimbledon-worthy whatever position it is to the sun. With artificial grass find out all you need to know about costs and how to lay a faux lawn.

15. Create a shaded area for kids to play

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson)

A shaded garden is not all bad, it offers the added benefit of extra shelter and shade for children and pets to play in during long hot summers. Embrace the shady spot to pop in a sandpit and dedicated play area for the kids.

16. Gather around a fire for warmth

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)

A primarily shaded garden needs all the help it can get when it comes to welcoming heat, because it can't reply on the sun for warmth. A fire pit is always a welcome garden addition, but even more so in a shaded north facing garden.

'Extend the amount of time enjoying the garden with the addition of a firepit or chimenea' suggests Marcus. 'Adding some warmth to milder afternoons and evenings, it will create a cosy and inviting spot.'

17. Embrace the shade for perfect cooking conditions

(Image credit: WWOO outdoor kitchen by Garden House Design)

North facing gardens are ideal for an outdoor kitchen with respects to cooking conditions. They may not be the best place to bask in sun rays over a sociable BBQ, but we say embrace the silver livings.

Hege Lundh, Marketing Director at Lundhs , explains why shaded gardens, or areas that feature garden shade ideas like pergolas, are the perfect spot: 'The outdoor kitchen should not be fully exposed to sunlight, and if possible find the least windy area. '

A secluded spot within the garden, preferably closer to the house should cater well for most garden layouts.

18. Consider clever garden lighting

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby)

Help to illuminate the darker garden space with thoughtful lighting. 'In a North-facing garden, clever garden lighting ideas are a-must,' advises Marcus. 'From solar stakes to line a pathway to lanterns and candles'. After dark is when this garden shines just as bright as that of a sunny south-facing garden.

19. Make the furniture moveable

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Robert Sanderson)

Make the most of any sun that the garden does get by having the freedom to easily move the furniture throughout the day – chasing the sun! A simple, lightweight set will enable you to move around the plot with ease to seek a slither of sunshine.

What plants are best for north facing gardens?

'Right plant, right place - make sure you select plants that are suitable, or they won’t give you the results you are looking for ' explains Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director, Dobbies Garden Centres . 'Just because it may get less sun, doesn’t mean your garden has to any less exciting or lack colour and interest. As you would with any room in your home, planning is key to help your garden reach its full potential.'

He recommend the following plants for shadier gardens:

How do you brighten a north facing garden?

You can brighten a north-facing garden with the age old styling trick of placing mirrors. Despite the lack of direct sunlight there will still be an element of light available to bounce around the space to help brighten a north-facing garden. Another idea is to get creative with Garden paint ideas to give your outdoor space a splash of brighten colour.

Thoughtful planting can also help to brighten a darker garden. As suggested above the evergreen Viburnum tinus offers a wash of white winter flowers to add a bright white canvas. Or try Forget-me-nots to shower a north-facing garden colour in springtime.

Perennials for the north side of the garden

There are gardeners who look around the shady places on their plot with annoyance or sadness and think that nothing will grow here except for the lawn. But in vain. Not only flowers caressed by the sun can cause joy and give beauty. There are those who never come out of the shadows, but that doesn't make them any less beautiful. We will now introduce you to them and tell you where and what to plant.

Follow us:

Choosing a place to land

It would seem, what is there to choose? The shadow is the shadow. But we will not draw rash conclusions, but rather we will understand the concept of a “shaded place”, because the selection of plants depends on this.

Partial shade is considered to be a garden area where the sun occasionally and briefly but looks in, or where the plants receive a little diffused light penetrating through the foliage of trees. Here for such places you need to choose perennials that grow well in the sun and in the shade. They are called shade tolerant. nine0003

A shady corner in the garden can be beautiful

If the sun cannot break through the dense canopy of overgrown trees, or the path of its rays is blocked by the wall of the house, then plants for which the shade is their natural habitat will feel good here. For their love of dark places, they were called shade-loving.

As far as preparing the landing site, everything is simple. It is enough to add a little compost to the planting hole and you can plant plants. nine0003

Perennials for partial shade

Fantasies on the theme of multi-colored or single-colour flower beds can be fulfilled using flowering perennials. Among them are aquilegia, astilba, doronicum, forget-me-nots, petunia, aconite, stonecrop, astrantia, mukdenia, rogersia and the well-known panicled phlox.

Among the bulbs, there are also flowers that are not afraid of shaded areas: irises, snowdrops, lilies of the valley, daylily.

Single-varietal iris flower garden

By the way, there is another way to introduce an element of blooming decor into the landscape design of poorly lit areas. Place small flowerpots with flowers, such as evergreen begonias or Waller's balsam. These are very beautiful flowers, but the likelihood that they will survive the winter is very small, so they are planted in flowerpots, and taken home for the winter, where they will continue to bloom. nine0027

Such a flowering miracle will delight in the garden in summer and at home in winter

Do not forget about shrubs. With their help, you can create a beautiful decorative composition or occupy empty land near the fence. Hydrangea arborescens and paniculata, derain, volzhanka and another amazing plant, little known, grow well in partial shade. This is a paskonnik. Absolutely unpretentious in care and undemanding to the soil. But it grows very quickly, delighting with lush caps of dark pink or beige inflorescences. nine0003

For some reason Paskonnik is not very popular, but in vain - it is beautiful and not picky at all

What grows in the shade

Shade-loving plants, as a rule, have small flowers, collected either in clusters or in small caps. They are more valued for the decorativeness of the leaves - all kinds of sizes, shades and shapes. Even after flowering, shade-loving perennials do not lose their attractiveness and remain so until late autumn.

Hosta, fern, ivy, cimicifuga (black cohosh), bergenia thick-leaved, rusty-spotted sedge feel like royalty. nine0003

Just the variety of hosta leaves is breathtaking

Landscaping project
from Sad-dizain

Read more

Lovely looking flower gardens are made from low brunners covered with delicate flowers, kupena, primroses, lungworts, helleborus and geyhera. The slender rows of different varieties of astilbe look spectacular with multi-colored fluffy panicles soaring up.

Astilba can be planted in the flower bed and along the borders

Some gardeners, taking advantage of the ability of shade-loving perennials to grow under trees, plant ground covers - periwinkle, wild hoof, creeping tenacious, loosestrife, saxifrage - over time they form a dense green flowering carpet. nine0003

By the way, don't be in a hurry to pick up fallen leaves from the trees in autumn. If the foliage is healthy, leave it to hibernate. Under the snow, plants planted in this place will be protected by foliage from freezing; the active spring sun will not quickly dry up the earth here; and over the summer, the gradual rotting foliage forms a fertile loose soil layer.

Shade-loving perennials will give you such a wonderful carpet

As you can see, there is a place for flowers in any corner of your garden. Doubt with the choice of shade-loving and shade-tolerant, please contact us, we will help you correctly distribute these types of perennials on your site. nine0003

Sun-loving garden plants: perennial and annual flowers, shrubs and trees

The sun is essential for plant life. But the rule “the more the better” does not always work. A site that is completely open to the sun's rays has a number of disadvantages. Mastering it is not so easy. Not all plants are suitable for this location. Let's figure out what moments it is important not to miss when planting flowers and shrubs in the sun, and what types to choose for an open space. nine0003

Ann-Marie Powell Gardens Ltd

Advantages and disadvantages of a sunny site
The main advantages of a place exposed to the sun is good warming, due to which quite heat-loving plants can grow here. A large amount of sunlight creates good conditions for plant nutrition and is suitable for many flowering species. The sun's rays dry the soil and leaves well, acting as a natural disinfectant. Due to this, there is a much lower chance of developing putrefactive processes and fungal diseases than in damp shady areas. This creates favorable conditions for the good development of many species, but also turns into a number of problems that will require attention. nine0003

Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design

Interested in landscape design?
Let's find a contractor according to your criteria

Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design

Things to consider when planting plants in the sun
1. Intense heating leads to overdrying of the soil and burns. Not all plants can endure a dry and hot microclimate. They tolerate such conditions well even without additional measures:

The Outdoor Room, LLC

  • Succulents store moisture in thick fleshy leaves and stems.
  • Plants with pubescent leaves - this surface reduces moisture loss. Plant a cleaner (Stachys), a sapling (Cerastium), anafalis (Anaphalis).
  • Species with silvery and dove-colored leaves - it contributes to less heating. Most of them acquire this color just due to whitish pubescence. To create a silvery flower garden, wormwood is suitable: Steller (Artemisia stellerana), Schmidt (Artemisia schmidtiana) and others, seaside cineraria (Cineraria maritima), panicled gypsophila (Gypsophila paniculata), pinnate carnation (Dianthus plumarius) and other carnations. nine0088

Rollin Landscape Design

  • Plants with thin and small leaves - they have less evaporation area. These are the majority of cereals and conifers.
  • Bulb Plants - The bulb also serves as a store of moisture and nutrients.

Most of the steppe and desert plants have exactly these qualities, sometimes several of them at once.

Blooming Toronto

To expand the range of species and make an open sunny place more comfortable, it is worth artificially adjusting the humidity balance. A well-thought-out automatic watering system will help ensure the regularity of watering. When choosing its type, keep in mind that sprinkling in an open sunny place can only be done in the early morning (before sunrise) and late evening hours. Otherwise, drops of water that will settle on the plants will cause burns. nine0003

SEE ALSO…
How to drink: We are planning an irrigation system for the site

A pond or fountain will help increase the overall humidity in an open area. When placing the pond in the sun, count on the fact that you will have to control its overgrowth - aquatic plants will develop especially intensively. Creating artificial water movement will help solve this problem. For a fountain, a sunny spot is the best position. Light and water jets will decorate the space with moving highlights, and the smallest drops will increase humidity. But when placing plants, be aware of the drift of water by the wind - arrange flower beds so that water does not moisten the leaves. nine0003

Petriv Landscape Designe

2. In sunny areas, snow melts earlier in spring. This may seem like an advantage, but it actually poses a danger to the plants. They are exposed ahead of time and lose their snow protection at a time when the air temperature is still low and there is a threat of frost. In such places, many plants will need additional protection. However, there is a risk here too: shelters in a sunny place get very warm and the plants can dry out. In such cases, it is especially important to regulate the temperature under the shelters by ventilation, that is, spring worries are added. nine0043

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

3. The significant contrast between day and night temperatures also poses a threat. In a sunny place, it is especially sharp. And it's not just about early spring. In our far from southern regions, the period of cold nights lasts as early as early June and returns as early as August. Many thermophilic plants suffer from such a temperature contrast. In addition to choosing zoned varieties, placing flower beds near walls that accumulate heat and then give it away will help. Large stones will also help with this: rockery is a good choice for a sunny flower garden. nine0003

ETs Ekopochva-LD

4. Due to temperature contrasts, spring protection against burns should be taken especially seriously. Conifers in open areas suffer greatly from the active sun, combined with still low temperatures.

Avant Garden

5. Many thermophilic species are afraid of drafts. Cold winds are detrimental to them. Therefore, a sunny flower garden should be protected from the wind. This will help placing it under the cover of walls or arrays of shrubs. Protecting the entire area with hedges also helps. nine0003

Kingfisher Landscape

Tip: To expand your planting options for a sunny flower garden, consider protecting species that like good light but suffer from overheating during the midday hours. Plant them under cover of tall sun-loving plant species - on their northern side. They will shade the neighbors during the hottest hours.

Anderson Lawn Care

With the above risks and protective measures in place, a sunny location produces a bright and lush flower garden with a long flowering period. Many sun-loving plants for the garden - perennial and annual flowers, shrubs and others - look very unusual and even exotic. And the range of species suitable for active sun is quite wide. To create a memorable and harmonious composition in a sunny place, you can use one of several scenarios that are different in their imagery. nine0003

Arteza Company

Maki-Luki Landscape Bureau

1. Rosary
An open sunny place is necessary for growing roses. In order for plants to be healthy and bloom intensively (after all, this is why we love roses), they need enough light and good nutrition. No matter what forms and varieties we are talking about, a sunny location will be optimal. However, when creating a rose garden in our latitudes, you will have to remember all the safety measures that I have listed: winter shelter, sufficient humidity and protection from the wind. If you supplement them with the basic requirements of agricultural technology - nutritious soil, respect for planting distances and proper pruning, then the rose garden in a sunny area will be able to show all its beauty. nine0003

Read also ...

  • Roses in the garden: Choosing a place and landing
  • Good question: How to plant and grow roses

Kate GARDENS 9003 2. Mediterranean 2. Mediterranean 2. Mediterranean the plot is a good opportunity to create a Mediterranean-style garden with bright colors and southern relaxation. Sun-loving plants typical of the Mediterranean do not hibernate here - they can be used in an annual crop. Here you have a choice of popular flowering annuals, seedlings of which you can easily find in spring in garden centers: petunia (Petunia), sutera (Sutera), ampelous lobelia (Lobelia), pelargonium (Pelargonium), balsams (Impatiens) and others. Some southern sun-loving flowers for the garden grow with us as indoor ones - you can simply take them outside for the summer (do not forget that this should be done gradually, having endured the hardening period). Azalea (Azalea), bougainvillea (Bougainvillea), begonia (Begonia) will decorate the flower garden in summer and return indoors in winter. Other species can be replaced by plants adapted to our climate, which, meanwhile, bear a completely southern imagery. To create a Mediterranean mood, use sea buckthorn (Hippophae), willow (Salix) and silver goof (Elaeagnus argentea). nine0003

Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC

Flowers include mallows (Alcea), daylilies (Hemerocallis), onions (Allium), verbenas (Verbena), clematis (Clematis), climbing honeysuckles (Lonicera). Sage (Salvia), hyssop (Hyssopus), veronica (Veronica), catnip (Nepeta), oregano (Origanum), Perovskia (Perowskia), lobelia - brilliant (Lobelia fulgens), sessile (Lobelia sesilifolia) and blue (Lobelia siphilitica) will complete the picture. ). They, in combination with silvery, as if dusted plants, will create a special atmosphere in the gardens of Provence. nine0003

SEE ALSO…
12 attributes of a Provence style garden

Perfectly fits into the Mediterranean imagery and balances the moisture of a fountain or wall cascade. For decoration and decoration in such a landscape, use terracotta, mosaics and natural stone. nine0003

Debra Lee Baldwin

3. Exotic Garden
In a hot, sunny place, you can create a real collection of exotic plants - in an annual culture or in a pot. Canna, kniphofia, bougainvillea, fuchsia, hibiscus will add southern luxury to the landscape and become spectacular accents. Many natives of the south with a rhizome that does not winter in the ground have not been exotic for us for a long time, but they will completely complement their company: do not forget about such sun-loving flowers for the garden as gladioli (Gladiolus), dahlias (Dahlia), amaranths (Amaranthus). Supplement them with flowering annuals: already familiar begonias (Begonia) and balsams (Impatiens), petunias (Petunia), pelargoniums (Pelargonium) and others. nine0003

SEE ALSO…
Tropical paradise at hand: A resort on a summer cottage

4. Village or meadow flower garden
Such a flower garden is a burst of bright colors and multicolor. A sunny position will only enhance the riot of flowering. It’s good if it blooms throughout the warm season - choose plants for the flower bed that replace each other. The range of suitable species is very wide and allows you to change both the color scheme and the image of the flower garden.

Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Sun-loving perennial flowers: mallows (Alcea), lupins (Lupunus), delphinium (Delphinium), foxglove (Digitalis), ornamental onions (Allium), yarrow (Achillea), barnacle (Knautia), cornflower (Centaurea), flax (Linum ), bluebell (Campanula), kosmos (Cosmos), echinacea (Echinacea), rudbeckia (Rudbeckia), gaillardia (Gaillardia), marigolds (Tagetes), nivyanik (Laucenthemum).

The names of some speak for themselves: sunflower (Helianthus), helenium (Helenium), heliopsis (Heliopsis), helianthemum (Helianthemum), helichrysum (Helichrysum) - they all have the sun in their name and prefer to grow in its rays. nine0003

Karena Batstone Design

5. Grass garden
Grasses are true lovers of the sun. Only a few of them are ready to put up with penumbra. Most tolerate dryness well and are undemanding to watering. Therefore, an open sunny area is a great opportunity to create a composition of cereals. In terms of expressiveness, it is not inferior to a bright flower garden. The variety of species allows you to select a variety of color combinations. Moreover, the cereal garden retains its decorative effect all year round, decorating the site even in winter. And how beautiful are the cereals, illuminated by the morning or evening sun! Even if you are not ready to use only cereals, they will be a great addition to other sunny compositions. nine0003

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

6. Arid desert composition
In an open arid place, you can create an unusual garden, as if transferred from the desert or from a rocky mountain slope. Use succulents for this. In their fleshy leaves, they are able to accumulate moisture, and therefore are completely undemanding to watering and soil. Despite the fact that many of them feel great in our latitudes and have long earned popularity, they still look exotic. nine0003

READ ALSO…
Succulents - types, names and rules of care ) have many forms. They differ in size - from miniature plants spread on the ground to large bushy specimens that can act as tapeworms. The different shape of the leaves and the shade of flowering allows you to create a wide variety of compositions from them. Thanks to their undemanding nature and shallow root system, they are suitable for rockeries, roof gardens and planters. nine0003

SEE ALSO…
Roof garden: How to choose the right plants

GREEN LANDS garden company

Plant pines (Pinus), junipers (Juniperus), arborvitae (Thuia), larches (Larix), microbiota (Microbiota). When creating a coniferous composition in an open area, combine plants with different crown shapes: narrow verticals and tall conical varieties will become accents, plant outstretched forms in their roots, complementing the composition with spherical and ovoid plants. However, when creating a coniferous garden in the sun, remember about spring protection - these plants are especially susceptible to burns with spring temperature differences and active sun. nine0003

SEE ALSO
Conifers in the garden: Selection and use

Unique by Design

It is in the sun that they fully reveal their varietal properties, while in the shade, many of them (especially yellow and variegated forms) lose their unusual pattern. There are many decorative leaf varieties both among shrubs and among herbaceous plants. A large number of decorative forms are famous for garden shrubs such as barberry (Berberis), spirea (Spiraea), white derain (Cornus alba), viburnum vesicle (Physocarpus opulifolius). Among the herbs, the multi-colored color of the leaves is distinguished by the lamb (Lamium), perilla (Perilla), hybrid coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides), loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata), tenacious (Ajuga). nine0003

READ ALSO…
The most beautiful plants for the garden with ornamental foliage - types and care - aquatic plants in this position will develop especially intensively. But it is the solar pond that is suitable for growing beautiful nymphs (Nymphaea). Due to the variety of shapes and colors, water lilies or water lilies are not in vain considered favorites among aquatic plants. In a sunny place, you can collect a whole collection of these beautiful flowers. Other flowering aquatic species will also thrive in full sun and provide a wonderful backdrop for the vibrant nymphaeum flowers. nine0003

Read also ...
The ends in the water: Decorative plants for decorating the pond

Bliss Garden Design, LLC

Premier Green Landscaping

10. Aromatic garden
bright Sun-ideal condition for the creation of the ideal condition for the creation of the ideal condition . Many aromatic plants are native to the southern regions and require an open location. Here their growth is especially intense, and the aroma is revealed to the maximum.

Learn more