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Writer's picturemelaniekerr

Maximizing Your Garden's Potential: Understanding Planting by Aspect

Understanding the type of shade in your garden is crucial for selecting suitable plants. Determine whether you have dry shade or damp shade, and assess the level of shading. 


These factors are influenced by the shading source and the orientation of your garden - ie North East West or South.


Here's our handy guide on how to decide what plants to choose depending on the aspect of your garden.


North Facing


Shaded areas will be prevalent throughout the day. However, north-facing spots, such as the back of the house, will receive good evening sunlight from May to October. Most plants thrive in midday shade, which helps prevent light-colored plants from fading. 




North-facing planting tips:


Consider incorporating woodland plants like hellebores, snowdrops, and pulmonaria into your garden.


These plants bloom early, before the tree canopy blocks out sunlight, and continue to thrive throughout the summer despite the overhead shade. They are well-suited for spots that only receive morning sun.


South Facing

There is minimal shade with ample sunshine,  while the far north-facing boundary remains mostly shaded. The right boundary gets morning sun from the east, and the left boundary receives afternoon and evening sun from the west.




South-facing planting tips

Plants for south facing:

Verbena bonariensis, bearded irises, and Mediterranean plants for sun-loving areas.


Plants for the north-facing wall:

Parthenocissus henryana and ivy for climbers. Ferns and hostas for foliage. Daphne, brunnera, and fragrant lily of the valley for flowers


East Facing


Receive mainly morning sunlight. This orientation is ideal for plants that prefer partial shade and require protection from intense sunlight, as they will flourish in this environment. Afternoon shade shields plants from the sun's peak heat, while evening shade can intensify the allure of white flowers that attract pollinating moths.



East-Facing  Planting Tips

White-flowered Nicotiana sylvestris thrives in evening shade and brings a delightful fragrance to the garden. For plants that can withstand morning sun and cooler conditions, consider Clematis alpina, honeysuckle, and berberis.










West Facing


Shaded in the morning and receive sunlight in the afternoon and evening.  Plants in a west-facing location should also tolerate the intense afternoon sun during the summer. 






West-Facing Planting Tips


Plants that thrive in these conditions include magnolias and camellias, which prefer morning shade, along with perennials like sedums and fuchsias.








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