Best Plants for Every Direction: North, South, East and West Facing Seattle Yards

By Esther Stifano | Seattle Real Estate Agent & Olympic Manor Resident

Finding the best plants for your yard direction in Seattle is easier than you think — once you know which way your yard faces. One of the most common questions I hear from new Seattle homeowners — right after “how do I find a good inspector?” — is some version of “what do I even plant in this yard?”

And honestly? It’s a great question. Seattle’s climate is lush and forgiving in a lot of ways, but your yard’s direction makes a massive difference in what will thrive versus what will silently die on you over winter.

Before you spend a dime at the nursery, step outside and figure out which way your yard faces. It’s the single most important factor in choosing plants — more than budget, more than style, more than anything else.

Here’s your complete guide.

How to Figure Out Which Way Your Yard Faces

Stand at your back door facing your yard. Use your phone’s compass app.

Facing north? North-facing yard.
Facing south? South-facing yard.
Facing east? East-facing yard.
Facing west? West-facing yard.

Easy. Now let’s talk plants.

🌑 North Facing Yards — Shade Lovers Welcome

North-facing yards in Seattle get the least direct sunlight. During our gray winters, they can feel pretty dark. But don’t despair — there’s a whole world of beautiful plants that actually PREFER these conditions.

What to expect: Cool, moist, shaded. Limited direct sun. Perfect for lush, woodland-style gardens.

Best Plants for North Facing Seattle Yards:

Ferns — The undisputed king of the shady Pacific Northwest yard. Sword ferns are native and basically indestructible. Lady ferns are softer and more elegant. Japanese painted ferns add silver drama.

Hostas — Massive leafy plants that thrive in deep shade. Come in dozens of varieties — giant blue-green, tiny gold-edged, or dramatically variegated.

Astilbe — Feathery plumes of pink, red, or white flowers that bloom in summer even in shade. Stunning and low-maintenance.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) — Delicate heart-shaped flowers in spring. Loves cool, shady spots. Very Seattle.

Hellebores — Bloom in late winter/early spring when nothing else does. Dark, moody flowers. Perfect for Seattle’s aesthetic.

Pro Tips for North-Facing Yards:

Add compost-rich soil to retain moisture without waterlogging
Use light-colored mulch to brighten dark beds visually
Add solar-powered garden lights for ambiance in darker corners

👉 [Read the full North-Facing Yard Plant Guide for Seattle — LINK COMING SOON]

☀️ South Facing Yards — Your Seattle Sun Trap

South-facing yards are gold in Seattle. They catch the most sun — especially precious during our short summers — and stay warmer and drier than any other direction. This opens up plant options most Seattle gardeners can only dream of.

What to expect: Most sun, warmest temps, driest soil in summer. Closest to a Mediterranean microclimate.

Best Plants for South Facing Seattle Yards:

Lavender — Thrives in full sun and dry conditions. Smells incredible, repels pests, and pollinators go crazy for it.

Rosemary — Practically a weed in south-facing Seattle gardens (in the best way). Drought tolerant, evergreen, and useful in the kitchen.

Salvias — Long-blooming, pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant. Purple-blue varieties are especially gorgeous.

Ornamental Grasses — Dramatic texture and movement. Feather reed grass, blue oat grass, and maiden grass all do beautifully.

Sedums / Succulents — Yes, succulents work in Seattle — IF they’re in a south-facing spot with good drainage. Sedums especially are nearly indestructible.

Tomatoes & Vegetables — South-facing = your veggie garden. This is the spot. Add a raised bed and grow tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, herbs — you name it.

Pro Tips for South-Facing Yards:

Install drip irrigation — summer dry spells will stress your plants without it
Use dark mulch to retain soil moisture
Add a trellis on the south-facing fence for climbing plants (roses, clematis, beans)

👉 [Read the full South-Facing Yard Plant Guide for Seattle — LINK COMING SOON]

🌅 East Facing Yards — The Gentle Morning Light Garden

East-facing yards get morning sun and afternoon shade — actually one of the most versatile and forgiving exposures in Seattle. You get enough light for flowering plants without the intensity that can scorch foliage.

What to expect: Bright mornings, shaded afternoons. Moderate moisture. Excellent for a wide range of plants.

Best Plants for East Facing Seattle Yards:

Rhododendrons — Seattle’s signature shrub. They love morning sun and afternoon shade. Bloom spectacularly every spring in pinks, purples, whites, and reds.

Azaleas — Similar to rhododendrons but smaller and more compact. Perfect for borders and foundation planting.

Hydrangeas — Morning sun is ideal for hydrangeas. They get the light they need to bloom without wilting in afternoon heat.

Camellias — Elegant, evergreen, and they bloom in late fall through winter when almost nothing else does. Perfect Seattle plant.

Daylilies — Tough, colorful, multiply every year. Morning sun is perfect for them.

Roses — Morning sun + afternoon shade is actually ideal for roses (reduces fungal issues). Try disease-resistant varieties like Knock Out roses for low-maintenance beauty.

Pro Tips for East-Facing Yards:

Great opportunity for a breakfast nook or morning coffee patio
Flowering plants will face toward the morning sun — plan your viewing angles accordingly
Add a water feature — the light hits it beautifully in the morning

👉 [Read the full East-Facing Yard Plant Guide for Seattle — LINK COMING SOON]

🌇 West Facing Yards — Warm Evenings & Drama

West-facing yards get afternoon and evening sun — which means warm, golden light right when you’re actually home to enjoy your garden. These yards tend to be warmer and can handle sun-loving plants, though they may need more summer watering.

What to expect: Shaded mornings, sunny afternoons and evenings. Can get warm and dry in summer. Ideal for entertaining spaces.

Best Plants for West Facing Seattle Yards:

Japanese Maples — The afternoon light through a Japanese maple’s red or orange foliage is genuinely breathtaking. These are made for west-facing yards.

Climbing Roses or Clematis on a West-Facing Fence — A west-facing fence or wall is prime real estate for climbing plants. They’ll be bathed in afternoon light.

Dahlias — Dramatic, colorful, and they love warm afternoon sun. Pacific Northwest dahlias are world-famous — you can grow them too.

Blueberries — Seattle’s acidic soil is perfect for blueberries, and they love afternoon sun for ripening fruit. Plant two varieties for best yields.

Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) — Stunning blue/purple globe flowers on tall stalks. Loves warm afternoon sun. Very architectural.

Outdoor Entertaining Setup — West-facing yards are PERFECT for entertaining. The evening light is gorgeous. Lean into it.

Pro Tips for West-Facing Yards:

Install shade sails or a pergola for summer afternoons when it gets hot
Add outdoor lighting — you’ll be out here every evening
Use drought-tolerant plants in the sunniest spots

👉 [Read the full West-Facing Yard Plant Guide for Seattle — LINK COMING SOON]

Quick Reference: Seattle Yard Direction Cheat Sheet

Direction	Sun	Moisture	Best For
North	Low	High	Ferns, hostas, hellebores, shade lovers
South	High	Low (summer)	Lavender, veggies, succulents, herbs
East	Morning	Moderate	Rhodos, hydrangeas, roses, camellias
West	Afternoon	Moderate	Dahlias, Japanese maples, entertaining

One More Thing — From a Real Estate Perspective

As a Seattle real estate agent, I can tell you that landscaping directly impacts your home’s value. A well-planted yard — one that looks intentional and lush — can add serious curb appeal and thousands of dollars to your sale price.

The best part? Planting native and climate-appropriate plants means your yard looks amazing with minimal effort, which is exactly what buyers love to see.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the Seattle area and want to talk about how your home’s outdoor spaces can be maximized, I’d love to connect.

Esther Stifano is a Seattle real estate agent and broker at Every Door Real Estate, specializing in Ballard, Crown Hill, Blue Ridge, and Northwest Seattle. She helps clients buy and sell homes in English, Spanish, and French.

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