Sometimes plants can thrive in more than one of the options given in the menu.

- Full sun
- Full sun to partial shade
- Partial shade to Shade
- Full shade

For example, my Begonias flourish in Partial shade to shade but also in Full shade, is it possible to cross on more than one option?

We designed it to be a select pulldown, so you can only choose one.

With some work, I can change this to a checkbox format so multiple options can be chosen...

Thanks Dave!

I've made the change! You can now choose multiple sun requirements. That does make more sense, and I appreciate the suggestion.

Great!

bonitin said:Sometimes plants can thrive in more than one of the options given in the menu.

- Full sun
- Full sun to partial shade
- Partial shade to Shade
- Full shade

For example, my Begonias flourish in Partial shade to shade but also in Full shade, is it possible to cross on more than one option?

I’ve come to realize that exposure data is somewhat imprecise given the many variables at play. Sun intensity (latitude), growing season length and available water all affect the exposure requirements. I’d wager folks here can come up with loads of additional things. Is it possible to come up with reasonable definitions which could be noted in a scroll over like the hardiness zone scroll-over? For instance:

Full Sun – Min. 6 hours (depending upon latitude) or other qualifier.

Even though this is not precise, the scroll-over definition would assure everyone is using the same reference point.

Using Bonitins example, what is the difference between “Shade” and “Full shade”? Should “Partial shade to Shade” read “Partial shade to Full shade”? I learned my lesson that some of these definitions can only be properly described in the comments area. One lesson, Helebores can grow in Full Shade but they prosper in Part Shade. Same with many Astilbe.

This MOBOT document http://www.missouribotanicalga... has the following definition “Light levels are either greater that 6 hours (full sun), less than 6 hours (partial shade) or complete shade (deep shade). Most plant lists will at least give you some reference to whether plants can tolerate one light condition or another.”

Here’s another article http://gardening.about.com/od/...

Thoughts?

Using Bonitins example, what is the difference between “Shade” and “Full shade”? Should “Partial shade to Shade” read “Partial shade to Full shade”? I learned my lesson that some of these definitions can only be properly described in the comments area. One lesson, Hellebores can grow in Full Shade but they prosper in Part Shade.

A few thoughts on that..

I think one can also distinguish 'Full Shade' and 'Shade' like this?

- Full Shade or maybe better defined as 'Deep Shade': no sun and poor light levels, hardly any plant would thrive there, except a few like Ivy I have growing happily in these tough conditions in my garden.

- Shade: no direct sun but good light levels, I have quite some spots in my garden like that and I noticed that some plants that at least would require a few hours sun or dappled shade, also do fairly well when the light level is high, like for example I had a Ligularia dentata for more than 10 years happy in a large container that got no sun at all the whole growing season, it even made flowers..

Then there is also the fact that light levels and exposure to sun change during the growing season according to the position of the sun. This especially plays an important role in gardens enclosed by tall walls, like in my small town garden.