Strong sunlight can scorch the flowers and leaves of plants, especially if they have been recently watered. Choose an appropriate site when planting, and provide artificial shade in summer for vulnerable plants.

Full Sun

Full sun plants, such as most fruits and vegetables, roses and half-hardy plants, generally thrive with six or more hours of direct sunlight exposure every day. Whilst it is feasible to keep these plants alive in areas that get less sun than this, the results are usually disappointing, as these species need as much energy as possible to produce flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Partial Sun

These plants need about three to six hours of sunlight a day. They may be planted either in an east-facing area to receive more light in the morning or a west-facing one to provide them with more sunlight in the afternoon hours. Alternatively, plant them near larger plants that will provide shade for some of the day and sunlight for the rest. Rhododendrons are examples of plants that prefer to have some shade.

Shade

If a plant is described as "preferring shade" then it needs either two or three hours of direct light, or indirect (or filtered) light all day. If shade plants are left in direct sunlight for too long, they will wilt or scorch. There are very few species that actually require full shade, although there are some, such as ivies (Hedera) and periwinkles (Vinca) that thrive in heavily shaded areas.