sun exposure vs. shade

15 years ago

I am having trouble with the sun exposure requirements for some of my new plantings. I am making new or re-doing all the beds around the house.

One side of my house doesn't get sun until 2:00 p.m. From that point until sunset it is blazing hot. I always thought it was facing west, but I guess it's truly a NW location. Even though this is at this time of year, I am assuming it must change as the days get shorter. Which would mean less sun? I assumed because of the hours this location is in direct sun now, 8 hours, it would be considered a full sun location. Am I wrong? The first half of the day it is in shade, but I would never have considered this a shady area for plantings. I planted a wisteria here and am worried now I have miscalculated the amount of sun exposure I should provide this plant.

Opposite side of the house is in sun until 2:30/3:00 p.m. Earlier this season I have planted this side with shadier varieties like Hosta and Hydrangea, Everything there seems to be doing great. I would guess this to be a SW exposure.

I am really worried about the Wisteria, this was an expensive purchase and I want it to thrive.

Can anyone help?

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Comments (7)

cateyanne
Original Author
15 years ago
sorry, I meant the other side of the house, with the Hosta and Hygrangea is a SE exposure.
scraplolly
15 years ago
I hate to see anyone's queries go without a response for too long--

Ask in the shrub forum about the wisteria specifically--what is wrong with it, exactly?

--alternatively call the nursery you purchased it from (if that's where you got it). It could be something other than the sun/shade.
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laceyvail 6A, WV
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My concern is a wisteria growing up and around a house. Wisteria is a huge, vigorous vine that can literally tear a house apart if it's not properly pruned several times a season. In addition, it won't climb the side of your house, though it would go up a porch column. But where will it go from there? Have you properly prepared for this enormous and very heavy vine?
cateyanne
Original Author
15 years ago
Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear. There's nothing wrong with the wisteria, I just bought it. In planting it I realized there is not as much sun as I thought and was wondering what is exactly considered a full sun area? 6 hours of direct sun, I know. That is what I have right now, but it is mid summer. Will this be adequate sun for my full sun choices in this spot, including the wisteria, year round?
laceyvail, the house is brick and the walls are covered with trellis. I was hoping the wisteria would cover the wall and reach around the side porch overhang. there is a lot of space for it to cover. I do plan on being diligent about the pruning. But I'll admit, I bought it without properly investigating it and am a bit daunted after reading all the posts on wisteria! :
laceyvail 6A, WV
15 years ago
Wisteria is MUCH too heavy a vine to grow on trellis. Please read up on wisteria some more.
Iris GW
15 years ago
Agree that the trellis will be no match for that wisteria.

8 hours of sun is considered "full sun" it doesn't matter that the early part of the day is shade.
jbcarr
15 years ago
One alternative for wisteria is to train it into a small tree. Still a lot of work.

sun exposure vs. shade

Comments (7)

cateyanne
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sun exposure vs. shade

Comments (7)

cateyanneOriginal Author

scraplolly

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cateyanne
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cateyanne
Original Author