4 budget-friendly ways to shade a garden

Hosting guests under the hot summer sun doesn’t have to cost the earth – there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to shade a garden, for a start.

In fact, many of the best garden shade ideas are really gentle on the wallet. There’s a lot you can do with a shade sail, for example, and there are plenty of other stylish products that look a lot more expensive than they really are.

Here’s a list of budget-friendly ways to shade a garden this summer.

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1. Use a shade sail

One of the most budget-friendly ways to shade a garden? Put up a shade sail – it’s the perfect solution for shading small gardens or a hosting area in a larger space.

‘Shade sails can be attached to fences, walls or posts, and are a simple way to give a garden a more contemporary feel without a big investment,’ agrees Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres.

There are a few things you’ll need to consider before installing a shade sail, from measuring up to toggling the best tension, but they’re ultra-versatile, affordable and relatively easy to set up once you know how.

You can order a water-resistant 3-metre Kookaburra shade sail for just £17.98 from Amazon (it’s available in 10 different colours!).

2. Put up a parasol

Parasols are a brilliant way of making a patio look more expensive than it really is without breaking the bank, and Julian says they’re another budget-friendly way to shade a garden.

‘A good-quality parasol is one of the easiest ways to create instant shade exactly where you need it, whether that’s over a dining set or a favourite seating spot,’ he says. ‘They’re widely available at garden centres in a range of sizes, and many are designed to tilt or adjust as the sun moves.’

There are plenty of beautiful garden parasols to choose from, but we can’t believe the £30 price tag on this stunning Habitat Sunbeam 1.6m Garden Parasol from Argos.

3. Grow tall plants

If you’re looking for natural ways to shade a garden on a budget, there’s a catalogue of tall plant varieties to choose from.

‘One of the most effective ways to keep your garden cool in summer is by creating as much natural shade as possible,’ says Tom Douglas, senior gardening buyer at Cherry Lane Garden Centres. ‘Tall plants can help block harsh sunlight, keeping outdoor spaces cooler and more comfortable even on the hottest days.

‘Trees and tall grasses can also be positioned to cast shade over patios or seating areas, significantly lowering the amount of heat absorbed during the day.’

This giant Canary Island date palm from Gardening Express is perfect for creating shade and adding a tropical feel to your garden.

4. Grow climbers over garden structures

Patience is key with this one (you’ll have to wait for them to grow), but if you already have a pergola or garden screen that could use some cover, climbing plants provide privacy and garden shade without stretching your wallet.

‘Fast-growing climbers such as sweet peas or even runner beans can be trained up trellises, arches or bamboo canes to create light, dappled shade,’ says Julian.

For a head start, you could buy a mature plant like this 140 – 160 cm star jasmine plant from Gardening Express.

You could even invest in a budget wooden pergola like this Leeward 2.2m x 1.7m Wood Pergola from Wayfair, and train some of the best climbing plants for pergolas along it.

There are plenty of garden corner shade ideas to pick from if you’re focusing on a small space, too.