How to classify sun/shade

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notgrnjean Southern, NJ(Zone 6b) Sep 05, 2006

Since light patterns change over the months (a shady area in June may be 8 hours of bright sun in July), what time of year determines when you designate a spot "sunnny", "shady", etc? And would 5 hours of mild morning sun be the equivalent of 4 hours of harsh afternoon sun? Is 8 hours of full harsh southern sun the only "Full Sun" and is everything else just some degree of shade ?

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June_Ontario Rosemont, ON(Zone 4a) Sep 05, 2006

My brain hurts just thinking about it. I've always treated the sun vs. shade requirement as a vague thing that is variable according to how badly you want to grow the plant. Not that I would grow a sun-lover in deep shade, but I'd try growing it in afternoon sun. I'll be watching to see what definitions of sun and shade folks come up with.

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bigcityal Appleton, WI(Zone 5a) Sep 07, 2006

This is certainly a tough question. I have areas that were partly shady all year now full sun as the sun shifts and that is the tricky part to me.
I would agree with stronger sun equalling more weaker sun. It really takes a while to learn your site and how much sun your plants get during the course of a year.
IMO - full sun is not 8 full hours, but 4 or 5 will support sunny plants.

I will agree with June that sometimes you just need to try a plant and see how it does if you think it's close and really what a plant there.

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notgrnjean Southern, NJ(Zone 6b) Sep 07, 2006

Thank you for your replies. I have no current planting plans, but so many flowers/plants that I have been interested in say "Full Sun" so I've passed them up because the only place I have 8 hours of sun is not where I'd want them. I like the definition that sun/shade can be "... variable according to how badly you want to grow the plant" (within reasonable variation from 8 full hours).

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kmom246 Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Sep 07, 2006

Here in the desert at 4,200 ft, full sun means 3 hours in the middle of the day before the plants get crispy-fried :-) I'm thinking I'm rather having the opposite issue. Dreaming up schemes to grow hostas!

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vcb1 Melbourne Beach, FL(Zone 10a) Sep 07, 2006

Full sun means crispy here in FL too. I wish they were more descriptive with those requirements. I used to grow cacti and succulents in a southern exposure when I lived in NY but quickly found that's way too hot and burning for most of them down here. I also love when I'm looking at plants at places like Wallie World or Home Depot and the little tag says 'cactus' or 'perennial' or something like that. Very helpful!

-- Vicky

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