One of the best tricks to a successful hanging basket, is to KNOW YOUR SUN! Getting the proper amount of sun, partial sun and shade is essential to a happy, healthy plant. We like to think of our plants just like people; do you know anyone who just loves to be in the sun, and can't get enough of it? On the flip side, we also know people who will burn within minutes of hot sun. Plants are the same way, they all have different needs, and you must pay attention to their sunlight for them to thrive. If you have tried the same thing in the same spot and it just isn't doing well, chances are it may be getting too much sun, or not enough! Here is a breakdown of the terms shade, part shade, part sun and full sun.
Remember, the hours of sunlight will change based on the season.
SHADE: Full shade is defined as less than four hours of direct sun per day. Notice we didn’t say zero hours of direct sun—that would be dense shade which is the darkest of all light levels where few plants can survive. Full shade loving plants enjoy a few hours of sun each day, preferably in the morning.
PART SHADE: Part shade is also defined as four to six hours of direct sun per day, but most of that should come in the morning hours when the sun’s rays are less intense. We say that plants which prefer part shade enjoy “cool sun”, meaning direct sun in the morning or evening and protection from the hot midday sun.
PART SUN: Part sun is defined as four to six hours of direct sun per day. Not all those hours need to be accrued consecutively—it could mean a few hours of morning sun plus a few more in the afternoon. When a plant prefers part sun, although it does not need to be in direct sun all day, it will grow and bloom best with at least some of those hours being in the afternoon. These plants need some heat and intense sun exposure in order to produce flowers and new growth.
FULL SUN: Full sun is defined as six or more hours of direct sun per day. If you live in a newly constructed development or out in the country where there are few trees, your garden may not see any shade at all during the day. Maybe your front porch faces South and has nothing obstructing the sun from midmorning until early evening. Any amount of sun greater than or equal to six hours is considered full sun.
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