For years, I believed what the catalogues and plant tags told me -- the only light categories I needed to worry about were: full sun, part sun or shade. In the last few years though, I have begun to appreciate the fact that shade is not a one-size fits all situation. It is variable and it is transient. There are multiple degrees and types of shade and each nurtures its own, wonderful plant palette.
Before you can begin to create your shade sanctuary however, you need to spend time observing, analyzing and identifying your shade. The more you understand about the subtleties of the shade in your garden over time and the way plants react to those subtleties, the better your plant selections will become. Your garden will finally be the inviting retreat you envision.
Shade is usually described by the intensity of light, the time of day and the number of hours it occurs. While there are light meters that can be used to precisely measure sunlight exposure, they cannot track changes in light intensity and positioning throughout the day. Most gardeners therefore, need to rely on their own observations to determine what type, or more likely, types of shade they have.
Following is a breakdown of the most common types of shade gardeners encounter.
FULL SHADE
An area in full shade receives fewer than two hours of sunlight throughout the day, but does receive some natural ambient light bouncing off of nearby surfaces. Beds on the sides of buildings, walls, hedges and under dense, coniferous trees are often full shade locations. Plants will grow in full shade locations, but they do tend to grow quite slowly. Flowering is a bit sparse when compared to full and part sun gardens, but due to temperature moderations, blooms can be beautiful and long-lasting. Many oak leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia), for example, thrive in full shade.
DEEP SHADE
Within areas of full shade, there are frequently pockets of deep shade. Deep shade areas receive almost no direct sunlight and often have dry to extremely dry soil. Although especially careful research is needed for this environment, there are several varieties of plants that will help brighten the space. (The Lady Bird Johnson database is particularly helpful for these conditions.https://www.wildflower.org/plants/)
PARTIAL SHADE
Gardens in partial shade receive between two and six hours of sunlight throughout the day. Like full shade, partial shade can be found next to structures, walls, fences and hedges as well as under trees and shrubs. Because the characteristics of partial shade depend on the direction of the sunlight, the time of day, the position and shape of the shade producing object, there are various subcategories of partial shade.
EDGE SHADE
Typical of the soft aura of the perimeter of a deciduous woodland, edge shade provides almost ideal growing conditions. Plants receive just enough direct sunlight to stimulate growth and promote flowering, while the accompanying shade prevents the plants from scorching during the intense heat of summer afternoons. Hostas are a common edge shade plant.
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DAPPLED SHADE
Imagine standing in a grove of tall sycamore trees, watching the shadows made by the leaves and branches on the ground below. As the breeze blows and the sun crosses the sky, pools of bright light continually shift and sway, brighten and darken, producing dappled shade. Although dappled shade can create excellent growing conditions for woodland plants, it does vary by the time of day and the seasons. Phlox and astilbe often do well in dappled shade.
BRIGHT SHADE
Light bounces off of reflective surfaces back into shaded areas, creating patches of what is called bright shade. Bright shade is often located by ponds and water features, windows, light-colored walls and garden structures. Depending on the time of day and the season of the year, the amount and intensity of light in bright shade will vary. Certain varieties of coleus often flourish in bright shade.
MORNING SHADE
Gardens situated to the west of a shade producing object lie in morning shade. Temperatures are cooler in the morning, but warmer, sometimes brutal, in the afternoon. Choosing plants for areas of morning shade can be especially difficult. Coneflowers (Echinacea) are often a reliable choice for morning shade/afternoon sun locations.
AFTERNOON SHADE
Beds on the eastern sides of shade producing objects receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Afternoon shade, especially in warmer climates, can be beneficial for many plants (and wildlife too).
Dealing with a shaded garden can be frustrating, but identifying what type of shade you have is the first step to success. Researching the plants that thrive there is step number two. Catalogues and tags may give some basic information, but I have found that doing some plant research online before I begin shopping for plants helps me make choices that give much more of a WOW impact all summer long. There are dozens of sites to explore, but these are the ones I find myself returning to over and over again.
Both native and non-native plants:
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plantfinder/plantfindersearch.aspx
https://www.thespruce.com/plants-a-to-z-5116344
https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/search
**https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/
**somewhat limited on specific varieties, but excellent care information
Focused on Native Plants:
https://grownative.org/native-plant-database/
https://www.wildflower.org/plants-main
**https://xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/pollinator-friendly-plant-lists
**information by region and state
They've served me well; I hope that they help you too!
