Some can take more sun than others, depending on how much sun your garden actually gets, but most are happy with a little morning sun and afternoon shade.
Many factors influence the reliable return or the final farewell of perennials, depending on each plant's ability to withstand overly harsh conditions such as draught (Yes, draught happens in winter just as it does in summer.), insect infestation, late heavy frost, consistently below-normal temperatures for a lengthy ...
Vegetables that tolerate partial shade (3-4 hours of direct sunlight) include arugula, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, kale, beets, kohlrabi, parsnip, carrots, turnip, radish, lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, and chard.
Some Sun. Some Shade. So many perennial varieties are vesatile players, thriving in areas with part sun. If the sun in your garden is intense afternoon sun, be sure to provide adequate water or site more sensitive plants in shadier locations.
For most hostas, ample shade is welcome. However, gardeners should think of hostas as “shade-tolerant” rather than “shade-loving.” If a spot is too shady, hostas won't thrive. Most varieties thrive in partial shade, which involves a few hours of direct sunlight per day with shade during the hottest part of the day.
In general, hostas with blue-green leaves or with white variegation perform best in shaded places. Hostas with green, chartreuse or golden leaves will tolerate more sun, provided moisture is adequate. These hostas can be planted in full sun because they are less prone to leaf scorch.
Intensity matters
Sunlight reaches its highest intensity between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Morning sun is the least intense. A few hours of morning sun isn't as intense as a few hours of mid-day and afternoon sun, realizing the hot afternoon sun can burn the leaves of some plants, even those of certain sun-loving varieties.
Cranesbill (Geranium), also known as true geranium or hardy geranium, is a perennial that blooms throughout the entire summer. This is not the same plant as annual geraniums (Pelargonium) that are used as bedding plants. Cranesbill will grow in full sun or partial shade.
Perennials are slow growers at first: They take the first one to three years to establish deep roots and dense foliage. However, once established, they thrive with little maintenance to give your yard beautiful new growth year after year.
How Long Do Perennials Live? Once planted, perennials come back each year. Depending on the type of plant you've planted, they can live anywhere from 3 to 15 years!
During the summer months, if a perennial is brown and crunchy it is most likely dead, but not always. Just because the above ground portion of the plant seems dead, it still might have roots that are alive and will come back in the spring. You will actually have to wait until spring to see if anything pops up.
Hydrangeas grow best in full sun (more than 6 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun). With that being said, all hydrangeas can handle some shade, but the timing and type of shade are important to consider. They can be in full shade during the hottest part of the day, as long as they are getting some morning sun.
Some perennial flowers will thrive in areas with low sunlight and come back every year. Astilbes are some of the easiest perennials to grow and will open their plume-like flowers in partial shade. They'll even grow in full shade, although you won't get as many flowers. Hostas are also a good choice for shady spots.
Peonies need at least 6 to 8 hours of sun each day, though some protection from hot afternoon sun in zones 8-9 is helpful. Choosing an area with good air circulation is essential as well, to help prevent fungal diseases.
The best time to water outdoor plants is in the morning when temperatures are usually cooler. This gives the plants time to absorb the water so they can get through a long, hot day. The second-best time is late in the afternoon or early in the evening. Try not to water at night.
Morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.
Plants should be watered after 6 p.m. and before sunset, giving any damp leaves a chance to dry. Early morning as the sun rises also works well, keeping the spores in check.
Most types of hostas can withstand morning sun but prefer a shady setting. It's important to know that these perennials grow best in soil that's fertile and full of organic matter. Avoid planting hostas in heavy clay soil, which won't offer enough drainage.
Cut The Flowers
Tall scapes of flowers can be costly for hostas to produce and maintain. Cutting them off as they start to emerge will divert that energy back to the foliage, creating a fuller look. Other gardeners just don't like the look! Don't worry; cutting the flowers back won't damage the plant.
Although they're known for their shade-tolerance, most hosta varieties perform well when exposed to a bit of morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much sun exposure will result in burned leaves, starting from the edges inward. The leaves will look brown, dry, and papery.
Also, do not cut back hardy perennials like garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), and Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum). Leave the foliage. It's important to protect the root crowns over winter.
Perennial Beds: Established perennial beds (beds that have existed for more than 2 years) should get an average of 1” of water a week. If there is no rain, this means running a sprinkler for at least one hour on the entire bed. Or you can hand-water thoroughly to soak the soil.
Broadcasting a slow release fertilizer is the best choice to meet season-long plant nutrient requirements, but you can also use a balanced fertilizer such as 20-5-10. If your soil test indicates that you do not need phosphorous, choose a product such as 20-0-10.