A follow-up to the previous article ‘Lightening Up’

No, not going south as in the winter. Canada’s Snowbirds indeed travel south to Mexico, Arizona and California to chase the sun’s warmth but I’m thinking of southern aspect, facing south.

Aspect is a huge element in how a garden works and what plants will thrive in a certain location. The fact that I have few south facing windows with any plant space in my house has both benefits and disadvantages. Many plants need direct and plentiful sunlight if they are to thrive. My lack of unshaded south facing windows limits the type of tender garden plants I can look after over winter.  My south facing greenhouse is unheated so while it shelters from the wind and warms up on sunny days, the warmth is not enough for most plants I wish to overwinter. When it is -30C outside, a thin layer of glass does little to change the greenhouse temperature.

We have a spare bedroom which houses a few of the plants I do try to keep in a south facing window. Some of my Geraniums/Pelargoniums, Rosemary, Basil and Amaryllis currently occupy the limited space. Later in the winter when the Amaryllis has been brought to the living area and finished blooming and the Geraniums have been cut back to occupy less space, I shall use the space for seedlings. I was lazy this year and did not bag up or take cuttings of the geraniums. Many houseplants come from tropical areas where they grow in the shade of a humid tree canopy, which is why they are suited to non-south facing windows. Garden plants however need more light than north, most east or west facing windows can provide in winter.

The disadvantage of south facing windows is the heat they generate within the house. As a consequence we have trees planted relatively close to the house to assist in keeping it cooler in summer. Once leaves fall from these deciduous trees, the light and warmth from the sun can be felt. Alas, there is not much space for plants in those places. We like our chairs there!

When we built our home over forty years ago we deliberately chose a piece of property that would have the garden facing south. Our much smaller front garden faces directly north and is very shaded for a good part of the year. Without the necessity for trees there we have a great view of the mountains. This is one thing we definitely planned right. The difference in temperature front to back in the heat of summer is truly amazing. Away from our shade making trees on the south side of the house the temperature can be five to six degrees warmer than the front north facing garden. Our south facing patio sunken at a lower level to the majority of the garden can be enjoyed on a sunny day in April, while snow is still melting in the north facing front garden. The trees oblige by providing shade to this area in the full heat of summer.

It might seem contradictory to plan a south facing garden but then add a lot of trees. They are however, strategically spaced allowing, what was our food production area to receive full on sun during summer months. I will admit however, that some are now so full, healthy and large I do have less space for the sun loving flowering perennials I love! Of course trees offer many other benefits than shade and the cooling effect their transpiration but that is not today’s topic. There are plants which do not thrive in full sun and knowing the light requirements of your plants is another element to consider when planning. Having trees gives options.

When planning a garden, aspect is a vitally important element in how and what is planted.  Generally speaking a vegetable garden requires as much sun as you can enable it to have. Many perennials and annual cut flowers are the same. Roses must have at least six hours of good daylight. A clover lawn prefers sun. Soft fruit bushes also require lots of sun and good air circulation. I once watched someone meticulously plant a vegetable garden in the full shade of a six foot fence. Although it received some easterly morning sun its productivity was very poor compared how it might have been, planted away from that fence.

The magic of south does not eliminate great growing conditions with an east, west or north aspect but planning and planting accordingly is important. There are also disadvantages to a full sun south facing garden. It gets very hot in this zone three climate and the sun’s ultra violet rays can damage leaves as it damages skin.  Soil dries quickly so mulching is important. However, for having planting options, a southern aspect is a great aspect to have in your garden and house.