SOLUTION GARDENING: Sun, Shade or Best of Both Worlds?

ATTENTION! ATTENTION EVERYONE! Spring is coming!

It’s time to start planning your summer garden! The most important item on your agenda is to determine your landscape’s light conditions. This will help you decide which plants are best suited for your outdoor spaces.

If your garden receives direct, unfiltered sunlight for more than 6 hours a day, be sure and look for plants labeled ‘full sun’ or ‘sun lover’. For gardens that receive 3-6 hours of full morning sun with shade protection from direct afternoon sun, ‘partial sun’, ‘partial shade’ or ‘full sun to partial shade’ categorized plants are perfect for you. Last but not least, ‘full shade’ classified plants crave outdoor spaces that are shaded all day long with a maximum of 3 hours of indirect sunlight.

Now you may be wondering what plants fall into what category? We had an idea you may! Check out this cheat sheet.

SUN LOVERS {6 hours or more of direct, unfiltered sun}

Cannas, dahlias, freesia, bearded iris, dutch iris, echinacea, eryngium, hollyhocks, kniphofia (tritoma), liatris, poppies, ranunculus, tuberose, asclepias, peruvian daffodil, honeysuckle, trumpet vine, wisteria, weigela, lilac, buddleia

PART SUN LOVERS {3-6 hours direct morning sun with afternoon shade}

Calla lilies, elephant ears, gladiolus, aquilegia, clematis, daylilies, iris siberica, lilies, peonies, phlox, rudbeckia, crocosmia, hydrangea, forsythia, spiraea, crape myrtle, burning bush

SHADE LOVERS {all day shade – maximum 3 hours of indirect sunlight}

Begonias, caladiums, astilbe, bleeding heart, ferns, hosta, lily of the valley, tricyrtis

Now that you have an idea of what plants will thrive in your garden, start by making a list of your favorites. Remember to keep colors, textures, heights and bloom times in mind.

We hope we have you dreaming of warmer days and breathtaking summer gardenscapes. Happy planning!