A corner of my yard gets long bright afternoons in summer and almost no direct sunlight in winter because the neighboring building casts a much longer shadow. Garden plans based on one sunny photograph are misleading. I'm mapping where light reaches at different times of year before moving perennials around. Which plants can tolerate that seasonal swing, and would you design the space primarily around the weakest-light months?
Planning a small garden where winter sunlight is very different from summer
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I’d design around the weakest-light months, yes. Summer shade is easier to work around than winter darkness, especially if you want perennia...
I’d design around the weakest-light months, yes. Summer shade is easier to work around than winter darkness, especially if you want perennials to survive without sulking. Plants that handle partial shade usually cope better with that swing.
Agreed, though I’d still use the summer light map for annuals and containers. The permanent beds should be based on winter conditions, because that’s when the shadows are longest and the yard tells the truth.
That makes sense. I was worried I’d be overcorrecting if I planned only for winter and then wasted the stronger summer light.