I think everyone (well not..but mostly true) grows columbine. If adequate moisture can be applied the most sun you can get away with is the best. That varies from area to area. I'm going to guess that in NJ, you can probably get away with half to full sun. You will get much weaker growth in full shade.

I planted out some last fall (seed grown) and my full sun attempt (moist area) is 2-3 times the foliage of those in mostly shade.

They grow perfectly well in quite a lot of shade for me. Not heavy shade but little direct sunlight. Many species are woodland plants in origin.

Oh, I agree GG, just that the more sunlight/energy you can give them (without overloading them), the better growth they give you.

not much dies in less sun ... it just effects VIGOR ...

you already have your experiment set ... one in sun.. one in shade...

do you see any difference.. if so.. what ...

and if not.. there is no issue ...

8 hours of sun is considered full sun ... so 6 hours is pretty darn close.... and i presume there are a couple hours.. where its very bright light.. even if not direct ... so you probably consider that plant in full sun ...

and if the other looks just like it ... bingo ..

ken

And ... if you get a single bloom that sets seed this year..... you can sprinkle them anywhere so that next year you will have plenty of plants and locations to pic from.

This is what happens to me if I don't cut off the seed heads. These will all get leaf mulched over soon.

Gosh, I really love them and would love them to spread! I found two more today. I see that people think of them as common and easy but I find them strangely delicate and beautiful and unique, not common at all to me.

Good point @ken. The one in shade is admittedly different: taller, lankier, fewer blooms, but only if you look closely.

Bright light it is - the one in full sun does not seem to mind.

Oh they're common, but that doesn't mean they're not lovely and airy.

I now see the reason columbines are mentioned for shade - they brighten up an otherwise potentially drab area! Here are images of two extremes - one in full sun and one in a couple of hours of afternoon sun. Different, but also very beautiful:

I have phenomenal success growing them. They grow in blazing hot sun and almost all shade. Everything inbetween. What they seem to need is moisture, at least some. You can't go wrong! The species that handles shade better is A. caerulea. A. vulgaris, etc. don't seem to care where I put them.

Wow, Nevermore - look at all those seedlings!