BEST PLANTS FOR CREATING SHADE ON A BALCONY, DECK OR PATIO

Using plants to create shade is an environmentally friendly alternative to something like a parasol or shade sail. Plants naturally cool areas by creating shade, which is perfect for outdoor spaces that sit in full sun.

In this story, we’ll look at some of the best plants for creating shade on balconies, patios, and decks.

The most obvious thing to look for in shade-crating plants is foliage. Leaves are what block sunlight, so you’ll want the leafiest plants you can find.

What to Look for in Shady Plants

Cypress

You can keep them compact or let them grow tall depending on how much shade you need. Importantly, their foliage is very dense, meaning they provide great shade.

Flowering Dogwood

Although flowering dogwood can reach up to 24ft. in height, you can grow smaller varieties in pots. Provided you prune them properly, they can grow dense foliage that offers decent shade.

Privet

It’s best planted directly in the ground, where it can reach a maximum height of 15ft. This makes it ideal for creating shade over patios and raised decks, although you’ll need to prune it twice a year to keep it dense.

Clematis

A low-maintenance climbing plant that works well in pots or directly in the ground. It has fairly dense foliage when established and produces tons of flowers that smell great.

Spartan Juniper

The advantage of using a spartan juniper is that their maximum height is smaller, meaning there’s less of a problem if you forget to trim them for a few years.

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