Understanding the difference between part shade and part sun plants

Both “part sun” and “part shade” refer to a plant that prefers four to six hours of direct sun each day (best if it comes in the first half of the day). The terms are basically interchangeable. When you see “part sun” used, the grower is stressing that the plant requires at least four hours of sun and will likely do better with closer to six hours. When you see “part shade” used, the grower is stressing that the plant should not receive more than six hours of sun and will likely do better with less. That’s why often you’ll see a plant indicated for “part shade to shade” or “full to partial sun.”

Here is a quick chart of sun/shade conditions.

FULL SUN    At least 6 hours of direct Sunlight on the plant ALL DAY.
PARTIAL SUN (aka LIGHT SHADE)  Direct Sunlight on the plant for 4 to 6 hours each day.
PARTIAL SHADE  Direct Sunlight on the plant for 2 to 4 hours each day. Needs protection from hot afternoon sunlight
FULL SHADE Less than 2 hours of sunlight, NO direct Sunlight  Avoid direct afternoon sunlight
DENSE SHADE  NO Sunlight at all.