So happy to find this webpage and this forum! I am an avid balcony gardener of 5 years, and have the same challenges with sun/shade. We are East facing, however, one the walnut trees are in full bloom, our sun is also limited. I am happy to hear that Monardas do well, in this type of location. I concur, that Impatiens, Hostas, and Ivy will do well. I have all these things. Question: Can I separate Varigated Hostas in the Spring, or must I wait until Fall? Also, I have little luck with starting new English Ivy cuttings. I root them in water, and when the roots are well established, plant them in a light mix. They are okay for a while, then just shrivel up. I also use rooting hormone. Morning glories do okay, but once the shade comes in, any new growth stays small e.g. leaves. More suggestions would be great! Lavender Canadian

as to the immediacy of the window.. look into window films... i put one of the classic wisteria stained glass ... in the center of a rather large window ... so i can get more light by more fully opening the drapes ... but more privacy with them half shut ... in doing this.. then you can work with more time.. as to planting something in the yard.. to eventually grow to do the same thing ... a pic of your area.. would help peeps like me.. who cant work on words alone ... especially if you took one pic from upstairs.. down into the area ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link

As far as what cultivars do best in full sun I won't make any suggestions except try and find out the parentage of the ones you want. Tenifolia parentage likes more shade. My suggestion is on you day off, go to the spot you think you want to plant in several times of that day to see exactly where the sun is. Tell your family you need time away get a book you have been wanting to read, a good drink, and a comfortable chair. Sit in the shade and watch. Depending on the season what you see will give you a good idea of sun strength in a particular spot. Early blooming flowers benefit from the sunlight and build energy before the leaves are on the trees and then go dorment until next season. Think of the sun as a large hose. Sunlight as water. Depending on the distance and angle if you spray straight down at an orange(think plant)you get everything wet except right under the overhang. From an angle part will be in bright sun, part in light spray (non-yellow light rays) and the part directly around the orange receives no water except for runoff. Perhaps someone can explain why some plants need more of the yellow spectrum than others. At the distance from the sun to earth unless directly under something all the other light waves should hit the shady side of anything.

New kiwi vines. I hear differing stories as to where to plant them. One says part shade because the leaves will scald in the sun. Another says full sun. Still another says treat it like a clematis: Shaded roots but full sun for the main plant? I have a wall with a North West exposure. It gets full shade until noon then full sun all afternoon. The area does support Bleeding heart, hardy geranium, tiger lilies, day lilies and Sedum.