I think the recommendation for shade is largely a safety factor for human-guided germination and early growth - it just reduces the chances of the seeds/seedlings dying through getting dry. But also bear in mind that V. pedata grows happily in gravelly 'soils', and in those conditions, the seeds are likely to lodge down between pieces of gravel, where there will be some shade on a miniature scale.

I, however, have not tried growing V. pedata from seed ( shame on me!), so somebody with first-hand experience might have alternative comment.

Well now I have grown them from seed,but I would not say that it was too successful.Firstly I did my own pollination ,in May and collected the very little seed crop,just 8 of them in July.Knowing nothing I sowed them fresh on top of moist compost which I then covered with a layer of gravel,and being midsummer I put this away in a shady spot.Result..nothing!However ,having learnt to my cost the folly of throwing out apparently non germinating seed,come autumn I put the pot out in the cold frame .I got a miserable three seedlings up in the following March.These did make reasonable flowering plants in their first year,but I was not moved to try again.Difficult to pollinate,difficult to germinate,I returned to the knife and vegetative propagation to increase my stock.This works just fine for me.Some little help I hope.kind regards John

Thanks you guys! I might buy some plants if I can find any for a decent price. I'll just try the seeds for now because I bought 3 packs anyways.