There are many ways to create shady spots on the patio. You can set up a trellis and hang potted plants from the rafters. You can climb up the pillars to fill the gaps or simply set up a few parasols, a seasonal shade cloth or a curtain. But then you would be missing out on a valuable biophilia, like the experience of relaxing under the illuminated green blanket of leaves, flowers and fruits. Whatever you decide, providing shade is an important step to spending more time outdoors. In this article we will show you some sun protection ideas for patios using plants.
Sun Shade Ideas for Patio – Vines can create shady havens
Weintraube:Create a cool spot to relax under a vine. Not only do you get shade, but you also get homegrown grapes, a nutritious plant that requires little care other than annual pruning. Research which grape varieties grow best in your local climate.
Stay cool as a cucumber:Plants known as “squashes” can be useful additions to a patio trellis. This family of heat-loving plants includes many popular garden plants - cucumbers, pumpkins, melons and gourds, with large leaves,that block a lot of lightcan. Most species are fast-growing lianas, but some are better climbers than others. Watermelons, for example, tend to grow as trailing vines and produce large fruits that would be particularly difficult to care for on a climbing vine. However, some melons adapt well to a trellis, and many other cucumbers grow well in vertical locations, including cucumber and zucchini varieties.
However, cucumbers are not very cold hardy, so their viability largely depends on the local climate. And if you grow them on a trellis or structure, you may need to care for the fruit while it hangs. This promotes fruit ripening and protects the plant from injury. But it's also a precaution if you plan to sit under your trellis with heavy pumpkins hanging over your head.
Looking for peas and silence
Climbing beans and peas are a staple in many vegetable gardens, but if you attach them to a trellis they can easily become oneSource of shade on your terracebecome. Legumes are typically lighter than zucchini and therefore require less support when grown vertically. Additionally, they are grown as annuals in most climates, making them a smaller long-term investment than vines.
They can be pulled up on wires or netting as long as they are strong and taut enough not to sag as they grow. However, beans and peas do not grow equally well, so you should consider the habits of the two plants you choose.
Terrace shading with climbing plants
Fruit-bearing vines are among the best sun protection ideas for patios. They often produce not only food but also beautiful flowers, but focusing on flowers gives you an even wider range of options. Here are some colorful climbing plants that can cover a trellis on your patio.
- Climbing roses come in many colors, shapes and growth habits, although some are more suited to certain climates. Do your research before choosing a variety, and if you are not an experienced rose grower, you should also familiarize yourself with rose growing options.
- Famous for both its scent and the visual beauty of its flowers, honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) can be quickly wrapped around a trellis or almost anything else. About 180 species have been identified, but be sure to choose one that is native to your area.
- Clematis is one of the most popular flowering lianas, and most of the nearly 300 species are climbers. Its dense foliage is ideal for shading patios and is ideal for use on trellises, fences and walls.
- Morning glory is a diverse family of plants with over 1,000 species, all producing colorful, funnel-shaped flowers. Many of them are also fast-climbing plants that tolerate poor, dry soils, making them a popular choice for providing shade on a trellis orof a pergola.
- Wisteria is an iconic ornamental plant. It also establishes quickly and is hardy.
Sun protection ideas for patio – use wire
There are many different ways to make lianas provide shade. For example, you can attach them to a trellis with wire or use the wire itself as a support. Which method is best depends largely on where you want shade and what type of vines you choose. If you need to move or adjust your shade system, wire can provide more flexibility than a more robust structure.
However, the type of wire plays an important role. Too little strength or tension can cause the wire to sag as the plants grow, which can limit the usable space underneath. And like any trellis, you need to position the wires so that the vines can colonize them. Thick coated wire is usually best, although some lighter vines can do with less heavy wire.
Ideas for awnings as sun protection for the terracecan be found here!
