Shade is the blocking of sunlight (in particular direct sunshine) by any object, and also the shadow created by that object. Shade also consists of the colors grey, black, white, etc. It may refer to blocking of sunlight by a roof, a tree, an umbrella, a window shade or blind, curtains, or other objects.
Shade is an important issue in temperate and tropical zones for providing cooling and shelter from the sun.
Plants
Green plants produce shade by absorbing sunlight to invest as energy in photosynthesis to produce sugar. They also actively transpire, producing an additional cooling effect.
Like to the Artick needle, that doth guide
The wand’ring shade by his magnetick pow’r,
And leaves his silken Gnomon to decide
The question of the controverted houre;
— Francis Quarles (1592–1644)
In gardening terms, there are various types of shade:
- Full sun - more than five hours of direct sun per day.
- Part shade - two to five hours of direct sun, or all-day dappled sun (sunlight shining through open trees).
- Full shade - less than two hours of direct sun per day.