Go over to the dark side
Gardens and sun go hand in hand... but in baking weather all need a spot of shade
THE summer heatwave has been welcomed by many of us as an opportunity to spend more time in the garden. During the long spell of hotter-than-average weather, we’ve enjoyed our outdoor spaces by soaking up the sun on loungers, firing up the barbecue or simply chilling out with a good book.
Yet there comes a time when even the most ardent sun-worshipper needs somewhere shady to cool down. Providing shelter from the sun is even more important if you have children or pets, or like to dine outside – nobody feels comfortable eating with the sun in their eyes or sweating as the mercury soars.
As far as I’m concerned, nothing beats the leafy canopy of a venerable tree. The only problem is that trees suitable for standing, relaxing or arranging outdoor dining furniture under require a lot of space, and even the fastest-growing ones will take the best part of a decade to be fit for use.
Fortunately, there are lots of easier – and quicker – ways to create some shade. Pergolas, arbours and similar garden structures, along with retractable awnings attached to the side of the house, will provide a long-term solution, but take up a fair amount of room.
Free-standing parasols, shade sails and pop-up gazebos are ideal if you are strapped for space. They are easy to erect and will provide plenty of shelter the instant they are taken out of the box. Of course, they are also transportable, providing shade wherever you want to go.
A traditional pergola will add a Mediterranean feel to any garden, especially when the structure is clothed with a grape vine or scented climber. They can be sited anywhere, but are best erected over a patio or close to the back of the house, making it easier to carry food to the table and to duck inside if it starts to rain.
If you are confident in putting flat packs together, off-the-shelf pergola kits are available from garden centres. The only downside with these is that you are limited to a few fixed sizes and styles. Anyone who wants a bespoke pergola should hire a landscape contractor to design, build and install the structure.
Pergolas are usually built out of soft or hard wood, but I’ve seen metal ones and others with stone, brick or rendered pillars. Due to this flexibility they can be tailored to suit any style of garden. In my own city plot, a sleek structure has been painted jet black to give it a contemporary look.
Whatever style of pergola you choose, it’s important to get the height of the ‘roof’ right. A minimum of 7ft should provide plenty of head clearance space for the tallest of people. Make it a little higher if you intend to grow grape vines or plants with dangling flower trusses, to avoid constantly bumping into them.
Apart from allowing climbers to scramble over the top of pergolas, use the upright posts to support sweet peas, tree lilies and wall shrubs, such as ceanothus and abutilon. Embellish the space underneath with pots filled with edibles that can be picked fresh for alfresco meals, such as salad leaves, strawberries and herbs.
The fastest way to add shade in any garden is to simply open a parasol. There’s a bewildering number of models on the market in a range of colours, shapes and sizes, from simple ones on straight poles to those with adjustable poles, allowing the head to be tilted at an angle to block out the sun as it moves across the sky.
An architectural shade sail will add swagger above the clean lines of contemporary gardens. Free-standing versions are fine in a space sheltered from the wind, otherwise the shade material will need to be attached to metal poles or wooden posts anchored permanently in the ground.
Ready-made shade sails, cut from UV-resistant fabric, are available in a number of sizes and colours. The square, triangular and rectangular-shaped pieces are best mounted with one corner lower than the others to allow water to run off. Sails can be left in place all year round or taken down at the end of the summer.
FOR REAL SHELTER, YOU JUST CAN’T BEAT A VENERABLE TREE