Blog>Expert Advice>Top tips when buying a house with a North West facing garden
Last updated: 17 November 2023
Top tips when buying a house with a North West facing garden
Creating a wonderful garden has so much to do with its orientation. Here, we’ll explore everything to do with North West facing gardens so that you can unlock their unique magic!
If you want to create a garden you can be proud of, you’ll need to take into account its orientation. After all, this will affect how much sun and shade your garden receives, and so which plants will thrive. If you have a North West facing garden, read on to learn how to unleash its unique potential.
Characteristics of a North West facing garden
At first glance, the thought of a North West facing garden might scare you. After all, it has the word ‘North’ in it, and we all know that North facing gardens get the least amount of sunlight. But don’t judge your North Westerly facing garden too soon.
These gardens actually get the best of the afternoon sun and are often bathed in sunlight throughout the evening – ideal for sitting outside with a drink at the end of the day or throwing the odd garden party! With that in mind, North West facing gardens can be a fantastic asset. You just need to know what to do with it, and to provide it with the right care.
North West garden sun and shade
A North West facing garden will usually receive a good mix of sun and shade. The amount of sun your garden will get will depend on a number of factors, including the:
Season
Size of your garden
Height of surrounding buildings
Features such as trees
Weather
But roughly how much sun will your North West facing garden actually receive?
How much sun does a North West facing garden get?
Your North West facing garden will likely receive a good amount of afternoon and evening sun all the way from late spring to early autumn. In fact, during summer afternoons, your garden could receive more than four hours of direct sunlight.
Mornings are likely to be a lot shadier, and the midday sun in your North West facing garden won’t be as strong as it would be in a South facing garden. However, this will give a diverse range of plants a chance to thrive, as you’ll have both sunny and shaded areas to play with.
This fluctuation in light throughout the day can create beautiful shadows and add visual interest to your garden, as it will look and feel different as the day goes on.
Pros and cons of a North Westerly facing garden
Every garden has its positives and negatives. Here are the pros and cons of your North Westerly facing garden.
Pros
Less intense heat. North West facing gardens don’t tend to get intense sunlight at the hottest parts of the day, which can be a relief during those summer heatwaves!
Evening sun. The late afternoon and evening is often when we want to use our gardens the most for sitting out with a drink or entertaining friends. This is when your North West facing garden will typically be bathed in sunlight
Flexibility with planting. The mix of sun and shade you’ll get in a North Westerly facing garden means you can include a diverse range of plants – from those that love a bit of sun to those that need full shade.
Natural sun protection. If you’re not a fan of basking in the sun, a North West facing garden could be ideal, allowing you to potter around your outdoor space most of the day without as much risk of getting burnt
Attract wildlife. You may find your garden attracts a large variety of wildlife throughout the day, thanks to its mix of sun and shade. Many birds will prefer cooler conditions, but you’ll also attract sun-loving bees and butterflies
Cons
Cooler times. North West facing gardens will typically be cooler in the mornings. They’ll also usually remain cooler until later in the season
Planting restrictions. If your favourite plants thrive in warm temperatures and full sun, you might be disappointed that your garden can’t provide these conditions
Moss. Moss can often appear in a North Westerly facing garden as it loves the damp and cold. However, as long as you keep on top of your garden maintenance, you should be able to nip it in the bud
Fewer opportunities for sunbathing. If you’re a sun worshipper, you’ll struggle for sunbathing opportunities in full, intense sun
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
North West facing garden design tips
Ready to transform your outdoor space into a garden you can be proud of? Follow these North West facing garden design tips to nail it.
1. Plant strategically
Take time to understand the trajectory of the sun across your North West facing garden, and use this information to pick out plants that are especially suited to every corner. You’ll generally need to choose plants that thrive in either full shade or partial sun, depending on where they’re going to be positioned.
Resilient plants that thrive in varying conditions are often a safe choice – such as hardy geraniums. Other plants that tend to do well in North West facing gardens include ferns, hellebores, foxgloves and hostas, which all appreciate at least a bit of shade.
If you’re feeling limited by the types of plants you can include, repeat planting could be your friend. This technique involves incorporating the same plant in multiple spots across your garden, or utilising just a few different plants throughout your outdoor space that have similar colours or textures. It’s a great way of giving your garden a sense of cohesion and will help to make maintenance easier too!
2. Consider carefully where to place your garden furniture
Again, this one requires understanding which parts of your garden get the most sun, and at what times. Once you have a thorough understanding of the sun’s trajectory across your garden, you’ll be able to understand the best place to position your garden furniture to get the most use out of it.
Many owners of North West facing gardens find that the best place to position garden seating is at the bottom of the garden, away from the house – especially if you have a long, narrow garden. This is because this part of your garden will often be in sun while the rest sits in shade. So, it could be ideal for retreating to with a book or drink – or for enjoying a barbeque with friends.
Meanwhile, the parts of your garden that tend to sit in the shade for most of the day could be better used for storage, children’s play areas or planting. In many ways, the sun and shade in a North West facing garden will dictate the best layout for you!
3. Manipulate exposure to sun and shade
Although your garden’s natural balance of sun and shade will dictate much of your North West facing garden design, that’s not to say you have no control over it. Rather, there are ways that you can manipulate the light in your garden to suit your needs.
To maximise the natural light your garden receives, you can remove obstructions such as outhouses and tall trees – or swap out dense bushes for lower hedges. You can also reflect light around your garden using garden mirrors, water features or even glass sculptures.
In contrast, structures like pergolas and shade sails can help to provide shade for plants that aren’t a fan of direct sunlight, while still allowing light to filter through for those that are sun-loving.
4. Incorporate an outdoor kitchen
If you’re a keen chef, you’ll be pleased to know that a North West facing garden can be the perfect candidate for an outdoor kitchen.
After all, outdoor kitchens should ideally be set up out of full sun, and away from areas that are too windy. They also tend to function best when they’re positioned close to your home, to minimise disruption as you go in and out to fetch things.
An outdoor kitchen can be anything from a barbecue and a couple of units to a ‘full’ setup with appliances, worktops and storage space. Make sure to carefully consider your priorities before investing in your outdoor kitchen – for instance, make a list of your must-have equipment and furniture. Our guide to the cost of building an outdoor kitchen goes into more detail.
5. Use bright colours
It might not be the first thing you think of when you’re planning your North West facing garden design, but using bright colours can be a great way to bring life to your garden during shadier times of the day.
As well as picking out plants that sport bright flowers, consider painting your fence, shed and garden furniture. Shades like pink, orange and yellow can be a great way to make a dark space feel bright and jolly.
Alternatively, using light neutrals like white can help to reflect natural light around the space. This can help to make your shady garden feel lighter and brighter.
Key takeaways
A North West facing garden can be a vibrant and varied space that’s visually appealing and comfortable to relax in. You just need to plan your garden design around the trajectory of the sun, and remember to incorporate plants that are well-suited to a North West facing garden’s unique characteristics.
If you’re ready to bring your North West facing garden design ideas to life, simply find a landscaper near you. You’ll be sipping your favourite drink in your green oasis before you know it.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
More Expert Advice Articles
More Garden Design Articles
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job