The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Partial Shade Gardens

Getting a garden to grow can be daunting, especially when it comes to figuring out how much sun your plants need. The term “partial shade” gets thrown around but what does it really mean? Many gardeners misinterpret this term and end up with underperforming or dead plants.

If you’re new to gardening and want to understand how to create a thriving space in partial shade, this beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know. In this post we’ll break down what partial shade means, why it matters for your garden and how you can create a gorgeous space with the right plants in the right places.

Ready to bring your partial shade garden to life? Get our expertly designed Partial Shade Garden Template, complete with a layout, plant list, and step-by-step guide!

What is Partial Shade?

Partial shade refers to areas of your yard that get 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, usually during the cooler morning or late afternoon hours. These areas don’t get the harsh midday sun and are perfect for plants that can’t take the heat.

To help you picture it:

• Full sun means 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Partial shade means 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Full shade means less than 3 hours of direct sunlight, often with dappled or filtered light.

Real world examples of partial shade include areas under deciduous trees that filter the sun, the east side of your house or areas shaded by taller structures during the midday.

Why is Partial Shade Important in Gardening? Understanding Hours of Direct Sun

Partial shade is key to a balanced garden. Understanding sun exposure is important for choosing the right plants and keeping them healthy. It allows you to:

• Protect your plants from sun stress: Fussy plants won’t get sunburned or wilt when grown in partial shade.
• More plant options: Partial shade areas are perfect for plants that need a sun break.
• Create microclimates: These areas are cooler and often more humid which is good for many flowering and foliage plants.

Understanding sun patterns in your garden is step one.

Shade Plants That Thrive in Partial Shade

One of the best things about gardening in partial shade is the number of plants that love these conditions. Many of these plants can also tolerate light shade so they’re great options for multiple garden spots. Here are five beginner friendly options to get you started:

1. Hostas – Lush, leafy foliage, come in many sizes and colors.
2. Astilbes – Feathery blooms add texture and color to shaded areas, blooming in pink, white and red.
3. Coral Bells (Heuchera) – Colorful foliage all year round in partial shade.
4. Bleeding Hearts – Delicate heart shaped flowers for any shady spot.
5. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) – For borders, adds texture and movement to your design.

For the full plant list for partial shade check out our Partial Shade Garden Template.

How to Find Dappled Shade Areas in Your Yard

Finding partial shade spots requires observation and a few simple tools. Partial sun areas get similar amounts of sun but more intense sun during part of the day.

1. Observe throughout the day: Spend time watching how the sun moves across your yard. Note areas that get morning or late afternoon sun and are shaded during midday.
2. Use a compass or sun tracker: Apps or tools like your phone’s compass can help you identify east and west facing areas for partial shade.
3. Mark the shadows: Place objects in potential spots and observe where the shadows fall at different times of the day.

Now you know where to go.

Afternoon Sun Notes

Afternoon sun can be hot and you may need to consider that when planning your garden. Some plants love the warm direct sun of the afternoon while others need protection from the heat.

• Hot Afternoon Sun: In hot climates the afternoon sun can be brutal, stressing many plants. To protect your garden use shade cloth or other forms of shade to shield your plants from the hottest part of the day. This will prevent wilting and sunburn and keep your plants healthy and happy.
• Direct Sun vs Dappled Shade: Some plants need direct sun to thrive while others do better in dappled shade where the sun is filtered through the leaves of trees. Knowing what your plants need will help you decide whether to give them direct sun or dappled shade. For example, sun loving plants like tomatoes and roses need lots of direct sun while ferns and hostas prefer the softer light of dappled shade.
• Part Shade and Part Sun: Plants that like part shade or part sun can do well in areas that get afternoon sun but need some protection from the heat. These plants do well with a mix of sun and shade so are perfect for spots that get morning sun and afternoon shade or vice versa. Using a combination of shade and sun is the perfect conditions for these plants to thrive.
• Full Sun Plants: If you have plants that need full sun like sunflowers or lavender put them in areas that get at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. But be aware that full sun plants may need more water and care especially in hot climates to prevent them from drying out and getting stressed.
• Shade Plants: For shade loving plants like impatiens and begonias choose areas that get dappled or deep shade. These plants can do well in areas with limited sun but may need more frequent watering to keep the soil moist and not dry out.

Now you know the needs of your plants and the afternoon sun. You can create a happy and beautiful garden for all your plants.

Part Shade Mistakes

Even with the best of intentions gardeners make mistakes in partial shade. Here’s how to avoid them:

1. Overestimating sunlight: Partial shade doesn’t mean “bright light all day”. Make sure your chosen plants actually match the light conditions.
2. Choosing the wrong plants: Some plants labeled as shade may actually need full sun to thrive. Do your research.
3. Ignoring soil quality: Shaded areas often have compacted or poor soil. Add compost or organic matter.

In dense shade consider limbing up trees or thinning to let more light through.

Partial shade areas are a chance to create a beautiful garden with plenty of colour and foliage. Now you know what partial shade means and what to choose. Ready to get started?

Download our Partial Shade Garden Template which includes a garden design, quick start guide and plant list.