Lady's Mantle is considered an herb and will grow in sun or shade but the less sun it receives the leggier it will be. I too live in the woods and have a front porch similar to your circumstance. The container should be big enough for several years, if you aren't happy with the plants in the containers you can always plant them among hostas, coral bells or anyother shade loving plant. In my gardens they receive morning sun which doesn't reach the garden until 9 AM then gone by noon...because of the ever encroaching forest. You could also plant some med size hostas or coral bells in the container with the Lady's Mantle. Hope this helps. I've experimented with so many plants on my front porch after 7 years I'm still searching. Except I do grow lovely ferns in my hanging baskets.