What's the difference between part sun and part shade?

Q: What's the difference between part sun and part shade?

A: The terms "part sun" and "part shade" frequently appear in gardening books and articles, and on plant tags. These two phrases may seem to mean the same thing, but there is a difference. Though subtle, this distinction is an important one to understand for the best performance of your plants.

When "part sun" is specified, the term is stressing that the plant prefers more sun than shade. Plant in a spot that receives at least 5 or 6 hours of strong, direct sun.

When you see "part shade" used, the plant is more of a shade lover and prefers more shade than sun. Plant where it will get less than four hours of direct sun, and preferably, here in Colorado, the gentler light of the morning hours.

This nuance can be found in the phrases "part shade to shade" (four or fewer hours of direct sun) or "full to part sun" (six or more hours of direct sun). In these, it's easy to see that the plant in question has a preference or tolerance for more shade or more sun.

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Read our Q & As with Keith Funk answering common Colorado gardening questions here. You can also hear him on the Garden Wise Radio Show