“Full sun” and “part shade” sound straightforward until you stand in your own yard. A bed may be sunny at breakfast, shaded at noon and bright again late in the day. Trees, buildings, fences and even the season can change the answer.
Before buying plants, spend one clear day observing the exact area you want to plant. This four-photo method creates a useful record without requiring special equipment.
First, understand the basic light categories
Full sun
Generally 6 or more hours of direct sunlight.
Part sun or part shade
Usually about 3–6 hours of direct sunlight.
Full shade
Usually less than 3 hours of direct sunlight.
These ranges are useful starting points, but intensity matters too. The University of Minnesota Extension notes that part shade is generally about three to six hours of sunlight, while full shade receives less than three hours. Read its shade-gardening guidance.
The simple four-photo sunlight test
Choose a clear or mostly clear day. Stand in the same location and photograph the entire planting area at four times:
- Use the same viewpoint. A consistent angle makes it easier to compare where shadows move.
- Include landmarks. Keep the fence, house corner, tree or window in frame so the planting area is easy to identify.
- Photograph the whole bed. One end may receive much more light than the other.
- Write down when direct sun begins and ends. The photos provide checkpoints; brief notes fill in what happened between them.
Morning sun and afternoon sun are not identical
Morning sunlight is usually gentler. Late-day sun can be hotter and may dry the soil more quickly, especially beside a south- or west-facing wall. Two beds can receive the same number of sun hours while creating different growing conditions.
Helpful rule: If a plant label says “part shade,” protection from the strongest afternoon sun may matter as much as the total number of hours.
Look for filtered and shifting shade
Light passing through tree leaves is often called dappled shade. It may look bright, but it is not the same as uninterrupted direct sun. Also notice whether a tree’s canopy, nearby roofline or fence creates a moving shadow across the bed.
Remember that sunlight changes with the seasons
The sun sits higher in summer and lower in winter. Deciduous trees create deep summer shade but may leave the same area bright before they leaf out in spring. If possible, repeat your observations during another season—especially before investing in a large planting.
What to do with your results
Add up the approximate hours of direct light, note whether most of it arrives in the morning or afternoon, and mark any noticeably brighter or darker sections. You now have useful information for reading plant labels, comparing garden plans and avoiding expensive trial and error.
Still unsure what your light is telling you?
I can review four photos taken throughout the day and help identify the light conditions for your personalized garden plan.