Gardens are a sanctuary for many - a place to relax, entertain, and connect with nature. However, the orientation of a garden can significantly impact its design, use, and the types of plants that will thrive there.
A north-facing garden comes with its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. If your garden faces north, you might find it receives less direct sunlight, making it cooler and shadier. But don't let this discourage you! With the right knowledge and design strategies, you can transform your north-facing garden into a lush and inviting space.
Keep reading as we delve into the world of north-facing gardens and uncover how to create a luxury garden space despite the limited sunlight.
What is a north-facing garden?
A north-facing garden is one that is oriented towards the north, meaning the house or building it is adjacent to is to the south of the garden. In the Northern Hemisphere, like in the UK, such north-facing gardens receive less direct sunlight throughout the day, compared to south-facing gardens - often resulting in cooler temperatures and more shade.
How much sun does a north-facing garden get in the UK?
In the UK, a north-facing garden typically receives limited direct sunlight. Given the UK's position in the Northern Hemisphere, north-facing gardens tend to get some sunlight early in the morning and late in the evening during summer months, but for most of the day, they are in the shade.
During winter, these gardens receive even less direct sunlight - due to the lower angle of the sun. The amount of sunlight can vary depending on the garden's specific surroundings and any obstructions, such as buildings or trees, but generally, a north-facing garden in the UK is considered to be in the shade for most of the day.
How to work out if your garden is north-facing
To determine if your garden is north-facing, try these techniques:
1. Observe the sun's path
Take a note of where the sun rises and sets in relation to your garden. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If your garden receives direct sunlight in the morning and is mostly shaded during midday and afternoon, it is likely north-facing.
2. Use a compass
Stand outside in your garden, facing towards the end, with a compass. If the compass needle moves and tells you that you are facing north and the main area of your garden is in front of you, then your garden is north-facing.
3. Check a map or GPS
Another way is to use a map or GPS app on your smartphone. Locate your property and check the orientation. The top of the map usually represents north, so align yourself accordingly and see which part of your garden is towards the top of the map.
4. Observe shadow patterns
On a sunny day, you can observe the shadows in your garden at different times of the day. In a north-facing garden, shadows will be longer in the southern part of the garden as the sun moves across the southern sky.
Benefits of north-facing gardens
North-facing gardens offer several benefits, especially in certain climates and for specific gardening needs. These advantages include:
1. Comfortable outdoor space
North-facing gardens can provide a comfortable, cool retreat during hot summer days - making them pleasant for dining al fresco on your outdoor dining set or lounging on your daybed, without experiencing excessive heat.
2. Shade-loving plants
North-facing gardens provide ideal conditions for plants that thrive in shade or partial shade, such as ferns, hostas, and certain varieties of hydrangeas and hellebores.
3. Consistent temperatures
North-facing gardens tend to have more consistent and cooler temperatures, which can be beneficial for plants sensitive to heat or for growing certain vegetables, like lettuce and spinach, that can bolt in hot weather. It is also more beneficial for people who struggle in the heat, allowing them to enjoy their garden in cooler conditions.
4. Reduced sun damage
The limited direct sunlight in north-facing gardens reduces the risk of sun scorch on delicate plants and flowers, helping to maintain their appearance and health, along with reducing the risk of sun damage, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke to yourself and your family.
5. Extended blooming periods
Some flowers may have longer blooming periods in cooler, shadier conditions. Placing these in north-facing gardens adds beauty to the garden and keeps it going over an extended time.
6. Energy efficiency
Did you know that homes that have a north-facing garden can contribute to energy efficiency? As the house itself may receive less direct sun exposure, this can help to keep indoor temperatures cooler and reduce the need for indoor air conditioning.
Problems with north-facing gardens
North-facing gardens also come with some challenges, which can affect the types of plants you grow and the overall garden design. Common problems in north-facing gardens include:
1. Limited sunlight
The primary challenge in north-facing gardens is the lack of direct sunlight. Not only can this restrict the types of plants that can thrive in the garden, as most flowering and fruit-bearing plants require more sunlight than a north-facing garden can provide, but it can also feel like a limitation on how much time you can spend outside.
2. Dampness and moss growth
North-facing gardens can often feel much cooler and become more prone to dampness. This can lead to moss growth on lawns and paths, making regular garden maintenance more challenging and time-consuming.
3. Slower soil warming
The soil in north-facing gardens tends to warm more slowly in the spring, compared to south-facing gardens. This can potentially delay planting times and slow the growth of plants, as opposed to those in sunnier gardens.
4. Limited use in winter
The reduced sunlight and colder conditions in north-facing gardens can make them less appealing and less usable during the dark, cool winter months.
5. Shady and dark
North-facing gardens can feel darker and less inviting, particularly if surrounded by tall buildings or trees that further block light. Whilst there are ways to combat this, it may put you off spending time in your garden.
28 north-facing garden design tips
Garden layout
Garden layout is everything in a north-facing garden. Take great consideration when planning your garden to fully utilise and enjoy what little sunlight you have.
1. Utilise garden zoning to your advantage
Once you understand the different light levels in your north-facing garden, you can create different zones based on how much light each area receives. Use this to your advantage, by placing shade-loving plants and a cosy fire pit zone in the darkest areas, and by planning your garden furniture layout in areas you get more natural sunlight.
2. Brighten pathways and patios
Designing a north-facing garden is all about bringing more light to the space. Use lighter-coloured materials for paths and patio dining areas to reflect light and brighten the space, rather than darker colours which will absorb what little light your garden gets..
3. Consider vertical gardening
Vertical gardening is where you plant up your garden’s walls, fences, and trellises. Not only does this add a considerable amount of interest to your north-facing garden’s design, but it maximises what actual garden space you have to use as you please - helping you optimise on other design elements, beyond gardening, which require more of what light your garden gets..
4. Invest in movable pots
When you really love something, it’s hard to let it go. This, too, goes for sun-worshipping plants in a north-facing garden. Whilst these plants may not thrive when fixed in place, you can instead design to have plant pots that can be moved to capture seasonal light and adapt to changing conditions.
5. Build garden rooms
If your garden doesn’t have the light needed to really enjoy a garden dining set, why not build a garden room for it? Garden rooms provide your garden with a dedicated outdoor space to thoroughly enjoy with family and friends, and can be fitted with all the light you need - without depending on the sun.
Design elements
Whilst your north-facing garden may not receive much sunlight, there are other design elements that can provide interest and beauty to the space - and potentially utilise what light you do get.
6. Place mirrors and reflective surfaces
Other reflective surfaces, like garden mirrors, can do the same. However, not only can they make a north-facing garden appear brighter, by reflecting sunlight across the space, but like in a home, they can also help make the garden feel much larger, too.
7. Install water features
Water features in a north-facing garden can not only create a tranquil environment and provide both interest and beauty to the space, but the reflective nature of water in a garden such as yours can help brighten and spread light throughout the area.
8. Opt for light colours
When adding design elements to your north-facing garden, such as painting walls, fences and adding garden furniture, you should opt to use lighter colours. These colours will reflect what little sunlight you get across the garden, rather than absorbing it.
9. Bright foliage
In areas where you don’t get much natural light in your north-facing garden, choose to plant plants with bright or variegated foliage. This will add colour and interest in shaded areas, rather than drowning darker plants in the already dark spots of your garden.
10. Create focal points
Focal points in any garden draw the eye and add both beauty and interest. In north-facing gardens where sunlight is limited, you want to find new ways to bring life into your space, and things such as statues, ornaments, and striking plants can do just that.
11. Invest in wildlife-friendly features
Not only do wildlife-friendly features, such as bird feeders, bird baths, and insect hotels, support your local wildlife and ecosystem, but they can help to bring more life and interest into your north-facing garden. Many creatures enjoy a shaded area, as opposed to a brightly-lit, open space, so invest in wildlife-friendly features in your garden to capitalise on this.
Understanding light levels
Light is one of the most important things in a north-facing garden; knowing where it comes in and where you can optimise it.
12. Track the sunlight
To fully understand the light that comes into your garden, you should observe it throughout the day, and year. This way, you’ll know first-hand which areas receive the most light, and when, to design your north-facing garden accordingly.
13. Brighten shaded areas
Excess shade in a north-facing garden removes even more light. Cut back on shaded areas, such as dense shrubbery and tall garden features, to let more light in. However, there will be areas that receive no light at all - identify and utilise these areas for plants less dependent on natural sunlight.
Plant selection
Plants are a staple in any garden, but not all will survive in a north-facing one. Be strategic with your plant selection, to make the most out of what little light your garden receives.
14. Depend on shade-loving plants
Plants like ferns, hostas, astilbes, hellebores, and ivy all thrive in low-light conditions, making them perfect for north-facing gardens. .Strategically place plants like these in areas that receive little to no sunlight - brightening your garden in a more natural, biophilic way.
15. Incorporate evergreens
Evergreen plants, shrubs and trees, boxwood, yew, and holly, can provide year-round structure and colour to a north-facing garden - without running the risk of shrivelling due to lack of sunlight. Find ways to incorporate this style of plant, without blocking what little sunlight you do get in your garden.
16. Cling onto climbers
Shade-tolerant climbers like clematis, hydrangea petiolaris, and ivy, are the perfect way to decoratively cover walls and fences - without relying on natural sunlight to make them grow. Not only are these climbers perfect for low maintenance gardens, but they will provide a natural beauty to your north-facing garden that even sun-trapped ones are envious of.
17. Woodland plants
Many woodland plants, such as foxgloves, primroses, and anemones, naturally grow in shaded areas. These are another great example of shade-tolerant plants to add into your north-facing garden, to bring natural light and life - without depending on copious amounts of sunlight.
18. Plant spring bulbs
During the spring, make time to plant seasonal spring bulbs, like snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils. These plants are used to having little to no sunlight, yet can provide your north-facing garden with early-season colour - just like any other garden.
19. Give your garden some autumn and winter interest
Just like spring bulbs, seasonal autumn and winter plants, such as cyclamen, winter aconites, and heathers are all perfect for north-facing gardens. With little dependence on natural sunlight, these plants can provide your garden with off-season colour - just like any other.
20. Steer in the way of native plants
Not only do native plants support local wildlife and enhance biodiversity, but they also are known to thrive in the conditions they’re found in. Head to your local plant nursery or garden centre to learn more about the plants local to your area, or search your north-facing garden for plants that naturally grow there - without intervention.
21. Shade-loving container plants
If you’re looking to fill your garden with colour, search for container plants that thrive in the shade. These could include plants such as begonias, impatiens, and fuchsias - all providing a beautiful pop of colour and light to your north-facing garden, without depending on natural sunlight to make them bloom.
Artificial lighting
Whilst a major downside of north-facing gardens is that they don’t receive much natural daylight, you can combat this by investing in and strategically placing artificial lighting.
22. Install garden lighting
Garden lights not only extend your garden use into the evening, but they can also be used in north-facing gardens during the daytime to highlight your garden’s features. Not only will this help brighten your garden space, but it will draw more attention to your strategically placed design elements, help reflect light from those, and bring the eye towards your focal points.
23. Lean into solar lights
In areas where your north-facing garden does get a little sunlight, strategically place solar-powered lights. Solar-powered lights can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly option to add ambiance to your garden, whilst also helping brighten the space when that area succumbs to the shade.
24. Experiment with fairy lights
Fairy lights are a great way to bring light to your dense shaded areas in your north-facing garden. Wrapped around trees, shrubs, and structures, fairy lights can also bring a unique, magical element to your garden space.
Maintenance tips
Without maintenance, the effects of the above design tips for north-facing gardens can become obsolete. Ensure you dedicate enough time and resources to maintenance, as well as enjoying the spaces you have strategically designed.
25. Don’t forget about mulching
Even when you’ve placed the correct plants that will thrive in the shaded areas of your north-facing garden, the soil will not always adapt. We recommend using mulch to help retain moisture in the soil, as soil in shaded areas is often known to become quite dry - even with regular watering.
26. Prune your plants
In north-facing gardens, maximising sunlight is everything. Ensure to regularly prune the trees and shrubs in your garden, to prevent them from casting too much shade across the space.
27. Work on soil improvement
Improving the soil in the densely shaded areas of your north-facing garden will help support your shade-tolerant plants to thrive. Take time to enrich the soil with compost and organic matter, which will help to support healthy plant growth.
28. Keep on top of pest control
Many pests thrive in shady, damp conditions - conditions you may have an abundance of in your north-facing garden. Ensure that you are consistently monitoring for evidence of pests in your garden, and find sustainable and eco-friendly solutions to manage them properly.
No matter which way your garden faces, you deserve to have a luxurious space to enjoy with all those you love. Explore Alexander Francis’ luxury garden furniture collections today, or get in touch with our experts for advice on finding the ideal pieces for your north-facing garden design.
