Advantages of a West-Facing Garden: basking in the afternoon sun and long summer evenings

The way your garden faces the sun has a big impact on how you may choose to use it. While south-facing gardens are often considered ideal, especially for sun-lovers, there are many advantages to a west-facing garden. In fact, for those who enjoy warm evenings and afternoons spent outdoors, a west-facing garden can be a perfect choice.

Sun’s Path:

Imagine the Earth is a giant marble tilted slightly on its axis as it travels around the sun. This tilt is what creates the seasons. The sun appears to move across the sky each day, rising in the east and setting in the west. But this isn’t the sun actually moving; it’s the Earth’s rotation that creates this illusion.

Sun’s Angle and Seasons:

The angle of the sun’s rays hitting the Earth changes throughout the year due to the Earth’s tilt. In summer, the sun’s rays hit the Earth more directly, bringing intense heat and longer daylight hours. In winter, the sun’s rays hit at a slant, spreading the heat over a larger area and resulting in shorter daylight hours.

Impact on Your Garden:

The direction your garden faces determines how much sunlight it receives throughout the day and year. Here’s a brief summary:

• South-Facing Garden: This is the prime spot for sun lovers! A south-facing garden receives the most direct sunlight throughout the day, especially in summer. It’s ideal for heat-tolerant plants and vegetables that require a lot of sun.
  West-Facing Garden: A west-facing gardens get plenty of afternoon and evening sun, perfect for enjoying warm evenings outdoors. A west-facing garden can get quite hot in the summer afternoons.
  East-Facing Garden: These gardens receive the morning sun, which is gentle and perfect for shade-loving plants. They may not be ideal for vegetables requiring full sun, but they’ll be enjoyable in the cooler mornings and afternoons.
• North-Facing Garden: North-facing gardens receive the least direct sunlight, making them cooler and shadier. They’re great for ferns, hostas, and other shade-tolerant plants.

Advantages of your west-facing garden

Evening entertaining made easy:

One of the biggest advantages of a west-facing garden is the abundance of sunshine in the afternoons and evenings. This makes it ideal for entertaining friends and family outdoors. As the sun sets later in the west, you can enjoy barbeques, and drinks on the patio, or simply relax in the warm glow for hours longer than with an east-facing garden. This extended window of pleasant outdoor time is a key advantage of a west-facing garden.

Natural light and energy savings:

Another benefit of a west-facing garden is the natural light it brings into your home. During the afternoon and evening, the back of your house will be bathed in sunlight, reducing the need for artificial lighting. This can lead to significant energy savings throughout the year. So, not only will you enjoy the sunshine outdoors, but your wallet will thank you for the advantages of a west-facing garden.

Ideal for sun-loving plants:

While all plants require sunlight, some plant varieties require the cooler, less intense that the morning sun may provide. Those with delicate foliage or that require consistent moisture, may benefit from this gentler morning light. but many varieties thrive in the afternoon and early evening sun that a west-facing garden provides. This allows you to grow a much wider variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. When planning your garden layout, consider incorporating plants that require more sun towards the back of the garden, where they will receive the most sunlight throughout the day.

Finding balance: Considering the disadvantages

It’s important to acknowledge that west-facing gardens also have some drawbacks. Here are a few things to consider:

• Hot afternoons: The strong afternoon sun can make the garden feel quite hot, especially during summer. This can be uncomfortable for spending extended periods outdoors and may limit your enjoyment of the space during the hottest part of the day.
• Plant selection: While some plants love the west-facing sun, others may struggle. Delicate plants or those requiring consistent moisture may scorch or dry out in the intense afternoon heat. Careful plant selection is key to success in a west-facing garden.
• Impact on the house: The afternoon and evening sun can also heat up the back of your home, making it uncomfortable indoors. This may increase your reliance on air conditioning, leading to higher energy bills. Strategies like blinds, curtains, or strategically planted trees can help mitigate this effect.

Which are the best plants for west-facing gardens?

Planning and planting a west-facing garden can be fun.  When it comes to gardening in a west-facing garden, it’s essential to choose plants that can thrive in hot and dry conditions. This is because a west-facing garden is exposed to the afternoon sun, which can be intense during the summer months. Some great plants to consider include lavender, roses, and herbs like thyme and sage. These plants are all drought-tolerant and can handle the heat.

Plantophiles recommends the following as good plants for a west-facing garden.

• Verbena bonairiensis
• Phlox paniculata
• Elder tree
• Camellia japonica
• Phemeranthus calycinus (Fameflower)
• Tulips
• Jasmine
• Daphne
• Penstemon (Beardtongue)
• Campanula (Bellflower)
• Ceanothus
• Geraniums
• Leucanthemum x superbum (Snowcap Shasta Daisy)
• Polygonatum × hybridum (Solomon’s seal)
• Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)

Use the wall

If you have a wall that gets a lot of sun exposure, consider using it as a backdrop for a vertical garden. You can install planters or trellises to grow climbing plants like roses or jasmine. This can create a beautiful and unique feature in your garden.

Choose the right furniture

When selecting furniture for your west-facing garden, it’s important to choose materials that can withstand sun exposure. Consider options like metal, wicker, or teak that can handle the heat and sun without fading or deteriorating.

Use shade to your advantage

While the sun can be intense in a west-facing garden, you can use shade to your advantage. Adding structures like pergolas or trellises can create shade and provide a place for climbing plants like clematis or wisteria to grow. You can also use umbrellas or sail shades to create temporary shade when you need it.

Consider adding water features

Water features like fountains or ponds can be a great addition to a west-facing garden. Not only do they create a peaceful and calming atmosphere, but they can also help to cool the warm air around them. Plus, they can attract birds and other wildlife to your garden.

A west-facing garden in the UK can be a beautiful and functional outdoor space with the right planning and techniques. By choosing the right plants, using shade to your advantage, adding water features, using containers and raised beds, and adding lighting, you can create an outdoor space that you’ll love to spend time in. Consider incorporating shade features like pergolas, awnings, water features or strategically planted trees to create cooler areas. Selecting heat-tolerant plants and providing supplemental water during hot spells will ensure your plants thrive. With a little planning, you can maximize the enjoyment of your west-facing garden.

For people who enjoy spending evenings outdoors, a west-facing garden can be a real plus point. It can also be seen as a point of difference by any future buyers should you decide to sell your home in the future.

You may now also enjoy reading some of our other garden-themed articles.

For further information about how garden direction can affect your garden design and choices you may like to visit:

Gardenersworld.com – Plants for west-facing borders

Gardenersworld.com – Types of garden shade