What is a South Facing Garden and how do I know if my garden is south… (2024)

You’ve probably heard the term ‘south-facing garden’ before.

You may have seen the term on an estate agent’s marketing material, too, or you may have been constantly told a property you’re looking to buy has a south facing garden.

But what’s all the fuss about south facing gardens?

This guide explains everything you need to know…

What does south facing garden mean?

A south facing garden faces mainly to the south, with gardens that face the south west and south east also considered south facing.

What is the best direction for a garden to face?

The best direction for your garden to face depends on when you like to enjoy the sun.

A south facing garden will get sunshine all day, while a west facing garden gets good sunshine in the evening and an easterly garden gets it in the morning.

A north facing garden will get some sun in both the morning and evening, while sunshine during the day may be confined to the garden’s rear, away from your property.

Is a south facing garden good?

The demand for properties with south facing gardens is high because they get sunshine all day.

But there are pros and cons to living in a home with a garden that faces south:

The pros of a south facing garden

A warmer garden compared with those facing in other directions
It’s easier to grow and maintain plants in a south facing garden
Clothes will dry quicker on the washing line
Patios, decking and hard standing areas are less prone to moss and algae
Rooms in your home that face south can feel warmer

The cons of a south facing garden

South facing gardens can get unbearably hot in summer
Outdoor furniture and decking can become bleached by the sun
The other side of your property will face north, meaning it can feel cold
Furniture in rooms that face south can fade due to the sun

So, is it better to have a south-facing garden?

Whether or not a south-facing garden is better is largely down to your needs when it comes to outdoor space.

If you like sunbathing and you’re a green-fingered gardener, a south-facing garden may be best for you.

But if you don’t like intense heat during the summer, a west or east facing garden may be better, depending on whether you prefer morning or evening sun.

When you come to sell your home, however, there’s no doubt that a south-facing garden is better in the eyes of many buyers and having one can put a premium on the value of your home.

What are the best plants for a south-facing garden?

The best plants for a south-facing garden are ones that like sunshine but can also withstand intense heat during the summer.

Here are some great options for plants in a south-facing garden:

Sedums: These love sunshine and should be planted in a southerly garden to avoid them becoming ‘limp’
Chamomile: With a look that screams ‘huge daisy’ Chamomile is pretty and aromatic, but also thrives in heat
Euphorbia characias: Euphorbias can generally be grown well in full sunshine and are a statuesque addition to a garden
Cotton lavender: This plant hails from the Mediterranean, so is used to intense sunshine and perfectly suited to a south-facing garden

How do I know if my garden is south facing?

The easiest way to tell if your garden is south facing is to stand in it, facing to the rear and use a compass or app on your phone.

If the compass says ‘south’, your garden is south facing.

Alternatively, if you want to know what direction a garden faces at a house you’re keen to buy, you can find out on Google Maps.

Type in the address of the property on Google and select ‘Maps’
Select ‘Satellite’ view
On the bottom right of the screen, there is a compass, with the red section pointing north and white section pointing south
Hold down ‘CTRL’ and spin the map so you’re looking at the front of the house
If the white section of the compass is on top, the garden is south facing

Do south facing gardens get evening sun?

South facing gardens get sunlight all day, including in the evening.

In a south facing garden, the sun will rise to the left and set to the right, meaning the evening sunlight will be on the right of your garden.

How many hours of sun do south facing gardens get?

A south facing garden could get as much as 16 hours of light during the UK summer.

The longest day of the year sees the sun rise at 4.43am and set at 9.21am, with a south facing garden soaking up that sunshine all day.

Are south facing gardens worth more?

If you’re lucky enough to have a south facing garden, you could be looking at an additional £22,000 on the value of your home, according to research by Rightmove.

According to the property portal, homes with a south-facing garden are, on average, priced £22,000 higher than homes without, while properties with south-facing gardens in Yorkshire & The Humber command a huge 14% price increase, on average, against those without.

Those properties also sell, on average, two days faster than homes with non-south-facing gardens.

FAQs

What is a South Facing Garden and how do I know if my garden is south…? ›

The easiest, and most analogue way, is to look at the position of the sun whilst standing in the garden. As you're probably already aware, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, which means that a south facing garden will see that big old ball of flames rise from the left and set to the right.

Know More ›

How do you know if you have a south facing garden? ›

The easiest way to tell if your garden is south facing is to stand in it, facing to the rear and use a compass or app on your phone. If the compass says 'south', your garden is south facing. Alternatively, if you want to know what direction a garden faces at a house you're keen to buy, you can find out on Google Maps.

Do tomatoes prefer morning or afternoon sun? ›

Too much bright direct sunlight on plants can raise temperatures too high for ripening and lead to cracking and sunscald. It can also create problems caused by high humidity or dry soil. Do tomatoes prefer morning or afternoon sun? Tomatoes need both morning and afternoon sun and at least six hours of sun a day.

Know More ›

Is south facing full sun? ›

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing windows will receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day. Whether during the Summer or Winter months, the sun's daily path starts in the East, swings South, and then sets in the West.

Discover More ›

What is the best facing garden in order? ›

A quick breakdown of the sunlight that gardens receive is as follows:

Gardens that face north receive the least light and can be damp.
Gardens that face south receive the most light.
Gardens that face east receive light in the morning.
Gardens that face west receive light in the late afternoon and evening.

View Details ›

Is my house north or south facing? ›

Ensure that you are looking outward, away from your house. Based on where you are facing when standing at your front door, you can determine your house's facing direction: If you face north when you leave your house, your residence is north-facing. If you face south, your house is south-facing.

How do I know if I have a south facing room? ›

If you need to know how to tell if a room is north, east, south or west-facing then you're going to need a compass (hang on, Columbus, your phone has one). Aim at the largest windows in the room and whichever way the dial points: that is the orientation of your room.