It's officially summer, which means people who are lucky enough to have a garden will be spending as much time outdoors as possible – especially during the upcoming heatwave.
Many of us tend to stay inside with the fan blowing directly on us when it's too hot, but you don't need to. Your garden, no matter how sunny it is, can provide a bit of sanctuary from the heat with a bit of careful planning.
If your garden doesn't naturally have areas of shade you might have to be a bit inventive, but luckily a garden expert has shared some quick fixes that can provide shade and privacy in your backyard.
While planting trees are a great option for shade, they take years to grow, and investing in trees that are a few years old for an immediate effect is expensive – but luckily there are plants that will do the job just as well.
Gardening expert and founder of Luxury Screens, Suhail Patel, explained that if you're looking for a "quick shade fix" then "climbing plants are a great option and can provide much-needed coverage in one season". The benefit of these, Suhail explains, is that they "get stronger and thicker every".
He added: "Clematis, Honeysuckle and climbing Hydrangea can all grow multiple feet in one season as long as they are supported by a trellis, pergola or fence."
Clematis can be picked up from Amazon for £12.99, while climbing hydrangea can be picked up on the same website for £14.99.
When planted in large groups, shrubs can also add a level of shade to a garden, and their flowers can enhance the overall look and feel too, explains Suhail. He added: "This includes the likes of Rhododendrons, which can grow up to 20 feet in one season and Forsythia which can grow up to 10 feet within a few years.
"If you do still want to benefit from tree shade, then consider fast-growing trees like bamboo and willow trees. Both are favoured for their fast growth rate, bamboo can reach up to 21 metres and willow trees, which vary in growth rate, can grow a few feet every year."
Alternatively, Suhail recommends opting for "large shrubs" and "dense foliage" which will "provide a natural shade and reduce the overall temperature of certain areas in your garden".
He added: "Plants with large leaves can also provide cooler temperatures through transpiration. This includes the likes of Canna and Cardoon. Canna grows up to 8 feet in one season and Cardoon up to 6 feet."
You don't just have to rely on plants to make your garden cooler, you can also opt for light-coloured chairs and cushions which will "detract from the hot sunshine". Water features can also "give off spray and even create a cooling effect.
Suhail added: "Installing garden screens is also an easy way to boost shade and privacy and can create a secluded spot to relax in."
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