Why does my front garden face the opposite direction to my back garden?

Because the house sits between the two. If your back garden faces south, you enter the property from the north, so your front garden faces north. The two aspects are always opposite: south and north, east and west, south-east and north-west, south-west and north-east. This means front and back gardens often have very different growing conditions and require different plant choices and design approaches. The planner's both gardens mode automatically calculates the opposite aspect and produces separate advice for each.

How does garden aspect change through the year?

The direction your garden faces does not change, but the sun's angle and the number of daylight hours change dramatically through the year. In June at approximately 51°N, the sun reaches a peak elevation of around 62 degrees and daylight lasts up to 16.5 hours. In December the peak elevation drops to around 15 degrees and daylight reduces to approximately 8 hours. This means a south-facing garden that receives full sun all day in summer may receive limited direct sun even on a south-facing aspect during winter months, when shadows from the house and boundary fences are much longer. The planner allows you to select any month to understand these seasonal differences.

Is a north-facing garden a problem?

Not necessarily. North-facing gardens are cooler and receive less direct sun, but they support a wide range of shade-tolerant plants and can be beautiful, tranquil spaces. Key considerations include: positioning any seating area at the far end of the garden, away from the house shadow; choosing plants suited to shade and moist conditions; using light-coloured hard surfaces to reflect available light; and focusing on foliage interest and structure rather than sun-loving flowering plants. Many of the most characterful gardens we work in across Kingston, Surbiton and Richmond face north.

Can I use this tool for a garden outside Surrey and South West London?

Yes, with a small caveat. The sun elevation and daylight calculations are based on approximately 51 degrees north, which covers Surrey, South West London, much of Greater London and parts of the South East of England. If your garden is in the Midlands, approximately 52–53°N, the sun will be slightly lower and shadows slightly longer than shown. In Scotland, approximately 55–57°N, the difference is more pronounced, particularly in winter. The compass-based planting and design advice is relevant throughout the UK.

Garden sun path planner

Which way your garden faces changes everything

Understand how sunlight moves through your garden throughout the year, and what it means for your patio, planting and outdoor living.

How do I find out which direction my garden faces?

Stand at your back door and face the garden. At midday on a clear day, if the sun is directly ahead your garden faces south. You can also use a compass app on your phone: stand facing the garden and the direction the app reads is the aspect of your garden. For example, if the app shows you are facing south-west, your garden is south-west facing.

What is the best garden aspect for a patio in the UK?

South-facing and south-west-facing gardens generally offer the most sun for a patio throughout the year. A south-west-facing garden receives strong afternoon and evening sun, making it ideal for after-work use. South-east-facing gardens catch morning and midday sun. West-facing gardens are popular for evening entertaining. North-facing gardens receive limited direct sun but can still be comfortable spaces with careful patio placement towards the far end of the garden, away from the shadow cast by the house.

Does garden aspect affect what plants I can grow?

Yes, significantly. South and south-west facing gardens suit sun-loving plants including Lavandula angustifolia, roses, Agapanthus africanus, salvias, Echinacea purpurea, and most Mediterranean plants. East and north-east facing gardens suit shade-tolerant plants such as hostas, astilbes, hellebores, ferns, hydrangeas and pulmonarias. North-facing gardens support a surprisingly wide range of plants including Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris, Fatsia japonica, Aucuba japonica, Sarcococca and many woodland perennials. The plant reference table in the planner above lists 143 species filtered to your chosen aspect.

Garden sun path planner

Which way your garden faces changes everything

Understand how sunlight moves through your garden throughout the year, and what it means for your patio, planting and outdoor living.

Garden aspect – frequently asked questions

How do I find out which direction my garden faces?

What is the best garden aspect for a patio in the UK?

Does garden aspect affect what plants I can grow?

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