Natural Shade Solutions for Your Yard
Trees, vines, and living walls are the original shade technology. They're slower to establish than built structures, but once mature they provide excellent shade, improve air quality, reduce noise, support wildlife, increase property value, and look beautiful. They also cost a fraction of what any constructed shade option costs.
The catch is patience. A shade tree takes 5-15 years to grow large enough to shade a patio. Climbing vines take 2-3 years to fill a structure. If you're planning a yard from scratch, plant trees now and use shade sails or umbrellas for shade while the trees grow.
Natural Shade Guides
Natural shade works alongside built structures. A pergola covered in climbing vines combines the instant structure of a pergola with the long-term shade of natural growth. Large shade trees on the south and west sides of your yard reduce the heat load on your outdoor spaces (and your house), making cooling systems more effective.