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Which direction to work out Garden aspect? Facing out to the garden or back towards the house?

#1 · 11th June 2022, 3:24 pm

Hi,

I've watched Lee's video but am still confused. I know where the sun rises and sets in my garden and know my compass points but do you work out the aspect looking from your house towards your garden or looking towards your house as every garden faces all the compass points depending on where you stand. I love Japanese acers so need some shade but the shade moves around depending on the season and time of day. Thanks

#2 · 13th June 2022, 8:22 pm

Hi Jez,

I wanted to place 2 images with my post but troubles my end to reduce the meg size for sending to the forum, I will work on it.

I have a boundary fence like all houses, in the flower bed that runs along this fence I have two Acers.

Looking at one Acer with my back to my house, my compass gave me a reading of "North"

Moving my position, this to take a second picture!!! My compass gave me a reading of "North West" my house now more to my left, so perspective does change when you move position, but the plant's position does "Not" change.

Therefore I have two Acers close to a fence, with the compass bias mainly to the North, this being the only place I could place them.

If I can sort out my meg size I'll send some pic's

Bob

#3 · 13th June 2022, 10:07 pm

Acer by boundary fence, "North West Facing" after moving from my original position, should I move back to my first position, my compass read "North"

Hope this helps,

Bob

Uploaded files:

#4 · 13th June 2022, 10:23 pm

Hi Jez,

This picture shows another Acer, same bed as the other plant, about 15 feet away, the image just taken from a different position, my compass reading "North"

The plants don't move, just the image taking position, hope this makes sense and helps?

Uploaded files:

#5 · 14th June 2022, 9:19 am

Hi Jez,

Bob makes a good point that plants positions don't change unless in pots or containers that is!

The best way to get your head around garden aspects is to always use your compass facing out from the house towards the main part of the garden. Ie which way you face looking out into it. This is what all the charts are based on. Sides of houses and the front will be the converse of this position ie if you look out to the back garden and it's south facing then the front garden will be north facing etc.

As for Acers they don't need full shade so part shade or dappled shade will be fine. The biggest Acer killer is wind burn. So just keep them out of exposure.

Hope that helps!