Full sun for plants refers to the amount of direct sunlight they need on a daily basis. It is important to understand the different levels of sun exposure that plants require in order to provide them with the optimal conditions for growth and health.
Plants that require full sun need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. This means that they should be placed in an area where they will receive the most amount of sunlight throughout the day. If you have a garden or a landscaping space that is exposed to the sun for the majority of the day, this would be an ideal location for plants that require full sun.
Part sun plants, on the other hand, thrive with between 3 and 6 hours of direct sun per day. These plants can tolerate some shade, but still need a significant amount of sunlight to grow properly. If you have an area in your garden that receives partial shade throughout the day, it would be suitable for part sun plants.
For plants that require part shade, they also need between 3 and 6 hours of sun per day, but they need protection from intense mid-day sun. This means that they should be placed in an area where they will receive morning or late afternoon sun, but be shaded during the hottest part of the day. This could be under a tree or near a building that provides some shade.
Plants that require full shade are those that require less than 3 hours of direct sun per day. These plants thrive in areas that are heavily shaded, such as under dense tree canopies or in the shadow of buildings. They are adapted to low light conditions and would not be able to tolerate intense sunlight.
When determining the amount of sunlight a specific area receives, it is important to take into consideration any obstructions such as buildings, trees, or other structures that may cast shadows. It is also important to consider the angle of the sun throughout the day and how it will affect the amount of direct sunlight a specific area receives.
In my personal experience, I had a garden bed that I thought received full sun, but later realized that a nearby tree was casting a shadow over it for a significant portion of the day. As a result, the plants in that bed did not thrive as well as I had hoped. I had to relocate them to a different area that received more direct sunlight and they immediately started growing healthier and producing more flowers.
To summarize, full sun for plants refers to at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, while part sun and part shade plants require between 3 and 6 hours of sun with varying degrees of shade protection. Full shade plants require less than 3 hours of direct sun per day. Understanding the sunlight requirements of different plants is crucial for their overall health and success in your garden or landscaping space.
