Landscaping For Morning And Afternoon Sun.
 (Read 100+ times)
By Glory Lennon
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If you are like any normal gardener, you have plants that do quite well where they are situated while others just kind of linger and never truly flourish. So what’s the deal with that? Also like any normal gardener you have morning sun in the front yard and afternoon sun in the back yard, or vise versa. You may not know it but landscaping in these two different sort of arrangements morning sun versus afternoon sun can be a bit trying. Perhaps not on you so much as on your plants. Why? Well, didn’t you know morning sun is far weaker, gentler and more pleasant than the much brighter, harsher and intense afternoon sun? Well, you do now.
So, how does one landscape with these two drastically different “suns” to contend with? As it turns out, not very differently than what you’re doing right now. You just have to make some minor adjustments to your planting schemes.
For instance, the placing of your herb, rock or vegetable garden would benefit greatly from their being placed to take advantage of the stronger afternoon sun, because, as a general rule, most plants in those garden types like full sun. Vegetables such as green Beans, Corn, Squash, Watermelon, Peas, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Cabbage and Carrots all like to be in the sun for best fruit production provided they are amply watered and fed.
On the opposite side of the yard, so to speak, we have semi-shade loving plants which would also do fine or perhaps best in the less intense morning sun even though it is still considered the 6 hours that is full sun. But how can that be, you ask? It’s the intensity of the sun that matters. Morning sun is more sedate and easy on the leaves. It won’t fade out colorful leaves and flowers nor wilt them. Strawberries, Blueberries, Lettuce, Spinach, Bok Choy and Greens of all sorts do better in this less intense sun though they can do well in full afternoon sun provided you plant these in back of the tall growing Corn, Sunflowers or other tall plants like a hedge of ornamental grass, Spirea or Weigela.
In very hot summer areas an arbor planted with leafy, flowering vines and secured over a patio would not only look lovely but also cool down the intensity of the afternoon sun. This would give a shady respite from the glaring sun and add great interest to the landscape. putting a pond or fountain with a soothing cascade of water near this would make the perfect get-away after a hard day at work or merely after pulling weeds for a few minutes.
Tropical plants love to be in afternoon sun and should be planted to take in as much of it as possible. Bamboo, Palms, Canna, Marigold, Petunia, Passionflower and Camellia all do well in afternoon sun in the north but in southern climates they require morning sun at best or a semi-shady spot.
Landscaping all depends on where you live, what you want to plant and what type of sun you have in your yard. That is why checking out those tiny labels attached to plants at the garden center can be rather important. So, watch the sun a bit more carefully and see what seems to fade or perk up in the morning and afternoon sun. It could make or break the landscape.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 For more fun garden facts, a silly story or a peek at an unfinished novel come visit me at http://www.helium.com/user/32782
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