The afternoon sun is stronger than the morning sun, which gives it a bit more weight in the equation. Generally speaking, the more sunlight a garden has, the more bloom you will get. Perennial plants for the shade tend to produce their showiest blooms in the spring, before the trees fully leaf out, or late in the year, as the trees begin to lose their leaves. For a continuous show of color in a shaded location, pockets of annual flowers are essential. Few plants will bloom in the deepest shade, but you still can create a native woodland garden or a restful setting with contrasting foliage colors and textures.
Curved lines are most pleasing for defining a flower bed.
The idea is to draw the eye along the planting in a natural flow. If the garden is placed so that it is viewed from only one or two sides, the tallest plants should be set at the back, with heights tapering toward the front. If the garden is to be viewed from all sides, the tallest plants should be grouped in the middle, with plants tapering toward the edges of the bed all the way around. Avoid plants that require staking. Perennial plants are best planted in odd numbers for a natural look.