Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks
When designing a patio garden, it is important to take into account the light requirements of each potential plant. Some plants require full sun, which can be difficult to supply depending on the location of the garden and the amount of trees in the way. Other plants require partial shade, and some plants are hardy and more flexible. Proper planning is essential to a healthy garden, so make sure to learn everything you can about the light requirements of each plant before putting them in the ground.
Sun Plants
Plants that generally require full sun actually require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight a day in order to thrive. This sunlight must be unfiltered, so it is ideal to choose a planting location away from shade. When finding a new home for these plants, keep in mind that South-facing gardens receive more direct sun than gardens facing any other direction. Additionally, plants that require partial sun usually do well with three to six hours of morning and early afternoon sun.
- Ground Cover For South Florida: Full Sun to Limited Shade (PDF) – This resource from the University of Florida discusses common full sun ground covers in the South Florida area.
- Native Plant List: Sun, Dry Soil (PDF) – A list of plants native to Portland, Oregon that prefer full sun and dry soil.
- Low-Water Shrubs – This list of low-water, desert shrubs are perfect for dry climates with full sun.
- Care of Specialty Potted Plants (PDF) – Several of these popular flowers require full sun to grow.
- The Top Ten Tropicals For Gardens and Containers – A list of popular tropical plants that can be grown at home.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – An extensive database of plant species that require lots of sun.
- Landscape Plants For Areas With Full Sun (PDF) – Plenty of shrubs, trees, and groundcover for areas that have access to full sun during the day.
- These Foliage Plants Sparkle All Summer! – Great information about lots of plants that thrive during the summer months.
- The Right Plant Plus The Right Light Equal Success – This Penn State article discusses the importance of choosing the right plant for your light requirements.
Shade Plants
Just because your yard is in the shade doesn’t mean you can never have a garden! There are plenty of plant varieties that do extremely well in shady conditions. Plants that require full shade generally need less than three hours of direct sunlight a day in order to survive. Any more than that will cause the plant to burn and wilt. Remember that “shade” hardly ever means “darkness” in the plant world-shade-loving plants still require dappled or indirect sunlight all day.
- Planting in the Shade – A short article that includes links to lists of shade-loving perennials, ferns, trees, shrubs, and vines.
- Shade Tolerant Plants –This article from the Green Education Foundation includes information about shade-loving plants, flowers, and cool-weather vegetables.
- Shade Plants For The Atlanta Area (PDF) – This informative resource contains information about many shade plants that are native to the Atlanta, Georgia region.
- Shade Gardening – Helpful tips about how to design a garden revolving around shade-loving plants.
- Shade Plants For Craven County Landscapes – This resource from Craven County, NC discusses many of the shade-tolerant plants that do well in the area.
- Plants For Shade – This helpful page includes many species of trees, shrubs, groundcover, vines, perennials, bulbs, and annuals that do well in the shade.
- Plants Made For The Shade – Another helpful resource discussing popular shade-loving plants.
- Colorful Plants For Shady Spots – Because plants that love shade can often be green and boring, the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County have compiled a list of colorful annuals and biennials to brighten up your landscape.
- A Garden of Shade Loving Herbs – Although most herbs prefer full sun, many do very well in the shade. This list from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden discusses the most popular herbs to plant in the shade.
Plants That Grow In Most Conditions
There are many plant varieties that do well in both sunny and shady locations. For example, herbs are a great choice for any garden because there are several varieties that are tolerant of sun and shade. Tomatoes are another great choice for novice gardeners because they are also easy to grow in most conditions.
- Perennials For Sun And Shade (PDF) – A list of popular perennials that do well in both light conditions.
- Growing Herbs In The Home Garden – An herb garden is a great choice for the beginner gardener. This page from West Virginia University discusses various popular herbs and their growing requirements.
- Growing Herbs – Basic Herb Culture (PDF) – This resource has information about propagating, caring for, and maintaining your herb plants.
- Growing Tomatoes In The Home Garden (PDF) – Tomatoes are one of the easiest fruits to grow at home because they are tolerable of many soil, watering, and light conditions. This resource from Ohio State University explains the basics of growing tomatoes at home.
- Evergreen Trees and Shrubs – Evergreen trees and shrubs are very popular for the novice gardener because many of them are tolerant of heat, cold, and have varying light requirements.
- Smart Plants: Understanding What Makes Up A Perennial Garden – This article discusses the needs of hardy perennial plants and why they are great for gardens.
- Coreopsis – This rugged, bright yellow flower is hardy and grows easily in tough conditions.
- Sedum spectabile “Autumn Joy” – This hardy plant prefers full sun but is very easy to grow and does not require much water.