How To Provide Natural Shade To Your Yard With A Living Canopy

Creating a lovely shady spot in your garden is desirable if you want a place to relax on a warm summer's day while still enjoying a bit of fresh air. There are plenty of ways you can achieve this. You could opt for a permanent structure, like a gazebo or pergola, or choose something more flexible, like a large outdoor umbrella or shade sail. But if you're keen for a natural shade alternative, why not create a living canopy? This could be in the form of a few well-placed trees, or you could consider fashioning a gorgeous floral canopy by planting some stunning flowering vines over a more solid frame. For added privacy, take a look at the climbing type of plant that can make your backyard a cozy oasis.

You'll find that your natural canopy will be quite a bit cooler than a structure with a solid roof, or even a fabric umbrella, because the plants that cover the frame will transpire as they release the water they've absorbed from the soil and the atmosphere. In fact, a living sunshade can be up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than one with a permanent roof. It's just like when you step into a forest — as soon as you walk beneath the cover of the trees, you should notice a temperature drop. That's one of the reasons you may want to explore the range of cooling shade trees that can lower your AC bill in the summer.

To make your own living canopy, you'll first need some type of structure for vining plants to grow over. If you're handy with tools, you could just build a simple timber pergola that has slats across the top. Or you could purchase a kit, like this timber outdoor pergola trellis from Outsunny, and assemble it yourself. If you want something slightly fancier but also relatively lightweight, consider purchasing two or more metal arbor frames, like these garden arch arbor trellises from LDAILY. Put them next to each other to create a nice, relaxing space. You could get even more creative if you have an old garden umbrella sitting around gathering dust. Simply remove the tattered and torn fabric and use the rest of the umbrella as a climbing frame.

Once you have your frame in place, it's time to choose some vining plants that'll grow over the structure and provide you with shade. If you select deciduous species, like trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) or Texas wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), you'll have not only the benefit of cool shade in summer but also a relaxing spot to enjoy a bit of sunshine after the vine has dropped its leaves. Alternatively, you might prefer an evergreen vine, such as coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), which will delight you with its sweetly scented flowers that can also attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard. For added inspiration, explore other climbing plants you could grow on your property.