Sun Protection for Plants: High Elevation Gardening Tips

Summer in the high country is glorious, but the intense UV radiation at elevations like Colorado's San Luis Valley can be a real challenge for our beloved plants. While shade cloth is an effective solution, it's not the only one. With a little strategic planning and creativity, you can provide your plants with the protection they need to thrive, often using nature's own resources.

Here in the high elevations, the sun's rays are much more direct and powerful. Even plants labeled as "full sun" varieties often do best with around 6 hours of direct sunlight rather than the all-day bombardment they might experience at lower altitudes. And for our shade-loving friends, a couple of hours of gentle sun, ideally in the morning or late afternoon, is still beneficial for their growth.

So, how can we get the right amount of sun exposure for our gardens without breaking the bank on shade cloth? Let's explore some smart, natural alternatives:

Strategically Placed Taller Plants: Nature's Own Umbrellas

Think of your garden as a living ecosystem where each plant can play a role in supporting its neighbors. Taller, more sun-tolerant plants can act as natural shade providers for their more delicate counterparts. Imagine a vibrant patch of Russian Sage or Yarrow casting a welcome shadow over lower-growing hosta during the hottest part of the day. Strategically planted shrubs or trees can create garden areas for your favorite shade-loving plants.

When designing your garden, consider the mature size and sun requirements of each plant. Planting a taller, more robust specimen to the south or west of a more sensitive plant can offer crucial protection from the afternoon sun. This creates a mini-microclimate that can significantly reduce heat stress and UV damage.

Container Placement: Mobile Shade Control

Containers are a high-elevation gardener's secret weapon. Their mobility allows you to fine-tune sun exposure throughout the day and the season. Have a sun-loving plant that's starting to show signs of stress from the afternoon blaze? Simply move its container to a spot where it receives a bit of filtered light or is shaded by a wall, fence, or even a taller potted plant.

This flexibility is invaluable. You can start the day with a container in full morning sun, then shift it to a partially shaded spot for the intense midday hours, and perhaps move it back for some gentler evening light. It's like having a custom-tailored shade solution for each plant!

Garden Planning: A Dance of Sun and Shade

The most effective long-term solution lies in thoughtful garden planning. Instead of viewing your garden as uniformly sunny, identify and utilize its inherent variations in light.

• Map your sun: Observe how the sun moves across your property throughout the day and the growing season. Note areas that receive morning sun, afternoon sun, and dappled shade.
• Utilize existing structures: Walls, fences, sheds, and even your house can provide significant shade at various times of the day. Plant sun-sensitive varieties in these naturally shaded zones.
• Create "shade pockets": Grouping plants with similar sun requirements can create microclimates. A taller shrub or small tree, strategically placed, can cast a shadow over a bed of lower-growing plants.
• Embrace the "shady" spots: Don't view naturally shady areas as limitations. These are prime locations for plants that thrive in less direct light. Remember, even shade-friendly plants appreciate a couple of hours of sun, especially the softer morning or evening rays.

Full Sun Plants That Still Appreciate a Little High-Elevation TLC:

While these plants are known for their love of sun, at high elevations, even they benefit from the strategic shade solutions discussed above, aiming for that sweet spot of around 6 hours of direct sun.

• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
• Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)
• Sea Holly (common name Globe Thistle) (Eryngium planum)

Shade-Friendly Plants That Still Love a Morning or Evening Kiss of Sun:

These plants thrive in less direct light, but a few hours of gentle morning or late afternoon sun can really make them shine.

• Hosta (Hosta spp.)
• Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis)
• Heuchera (common name Coral Bells) (Heuchera spp.)
• Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)

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By understanding the unique challenges of high-elevation gardening and employing these clever, natural shade solutions, you can help your plants not only survive but truly thrive, ensuring summer success for your entire garden. Happy gardening!

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