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Areas of Master Gardeners' Shade Garden - Photo credits: Pam Schmitt
Descriptive words have a specific meaning to us, but that meaning does not always deliver the exact description of what we want to say. As an example, the adjective blue describing the color of the sky may mean a pale blue sky, or a royal blue sky. The term “shade”, when used to describe a plant requiring limited light, also has various meanings. Does shade mean dappled, dark, filtered, deep, light, partial, shifting, bad, or dense? However, information pertaining to light needs generally list plants as needing partial, full, or deep shade. A clearer definition of shade is needed to ensure Right Plant, Right Place
occurs.
In general, “shade plants” need four (4) or fewer hours of full morning or evening sun, on a daily basis, which includes descriptions of partial shade, light shade, shifting shade, and dappled sun. Shifting shade is provided by pine trees. Dappled sunlight is shade provided by the canopy of trees.
Full shade is an area which does not receive direct sunlight at any time of the day. This area may receive bright light or be completely dark. Dark/dense shade is often found in areas dominated by tree roots and/or tall building structures that block the sunlight. These dense dark shade areas tend to be very wet or very dry making it difficult for any plant to survive.
When looking at the “must have” shade plant, always remember the light requirements this plant needs to survive.
For additional information on shade plants, stop by one of our Plant Clinics, visit our Nursery, or attend one of our Demonstration Garden Tours.
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