Every time a heatwave arrives, I notice that there are some gardens that feel like complete sun traps and others that somehow stay cool and comfortable even in soaring temperatures.
If you’ve been wondering how to keep your garden cool in a heatwave, it turns out the most comfortable outdoor spaces all tend to share a few of the same features, and most of them are quite easy to recreate.
After trying to stop my own garden from becoming unbearably hot during warm spells, I’ve realised the best garden ideas for heatwaves are often the simplest. From genius shade ideas to moving struggling plants before they scorch, these are the things people with cool gardens in a heatwave always seem to have nailed.
1. Plenty of shade
Some of the coolest gardens always have somewhere to escape direct sun, especially during the hottest part of the day, depending on which direction they face.
Whether it’s a pergola, parasol, shade sail or a canopy of trees, having some areas of shade makes a huge difference to how a garden feels during a heatwave. I love this double parasol from Amazon as it’s a quick way to get lots of shade into your garden fast.
I’ve also noticed that the best gardens layer shade where possible, like combining climbing plants with a pergola roof or sheltering seating beside tall planting so the space feels cooler naturally.
VonHaus
Pop Up Gazebo 3 X 3m
This gazebo is ideal for popping up and creating shade in your garden, and can even be folded up into a handy carry case so you can store it with ease.
B&Q
Klikstrom Alizé Rectangular Pergola, (W)3.95m x (D)2.9m x (H)2.33m
Looking for a pergola with a retractable roof? Look no further. Not only will it be an attractive addition to your garden, but it also has a strong powder coated frame.
Primrose
6m X 4.2m Triangle Waterproof Sun Shade Canopy
Available in lots of different colours, this shade sail is an absolute bargain and is incredibly easy to install. Simply attach to a wall, fence, or connect to a steel pole for instant shade.
2. Light coloured furniture and paving
Dark patios can become a bit of a heat trap during hot weather, while pale stone, gravel and lighter-coloured outdoor furniture help reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it.
It’s a detail you don’t fully appreciate until you walk barefoot across a patio in a heatwave and realise that some materials hold a lot more heat than others. Even adding an outdoor rug like this green and white striped outdoor rug, £15 from Habitat at Argos, or lighter accessories such as outdoor cushions can help soften the baking effect of large paved areas.
Argos
Habitat Global Accent Chair and Footstool
John Lewis Sahara 4-Seater Modular Corner Garden Lounge Set
Grand patio
Folding Bistro Set 3 Pieces (yellow)
3. Water features
There’s a reason why a lot of Mediterranean-style gardens often include water. Fountains, ponds and even small bowl features can help a space feel cooler and more tranquil. It won’t necessarily help make it cooler, but psychologically, it can make a huge difference.
The sound of moving water instantly creates a fresher atmosphere during sticky weather. I love this cascading rain chain fountain, £38 from Etsy, that will help conserve water too.
Wildlife-friendly ponds also tend to attract birds and pollinators looking for hydration during extreme heat. This Thompson & Morgan patio pond, £30.90 at QVC, is an easy and affordable way to help wildlife too.
Thompson & Morgan
Fragrant Patio Pond Kit + Marble Caesar Bowl 46cm
GardenFeatherStudio
Rain Chain Fountain | Cascading Bowl Water Feature
Sandstone Babbling Bowl 45cm Natural Stone Water Feature
4. Trees and layered planting
Usually, cooler gardens are packed with trees for shade, drought-tolerant shrubs and layered planting that naturally helps cool the air.
Small ornamental trees in pots like olive trees, £39.99 at Thompson & Morgan, which are my favourite trees to create a Mediterranean-style garden, tall grasses like Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’, £19.99 from Crocus, that will swish gently in the breeze, and dense borders help create shaded spots, and help reduce reflected heat from hard surfaces like paving and walls.
Plants also release moisture into the air, which would help keep patios and seating fresher and cooler if they are surrounded by greenery. Even small gardens can benefit from having lots of plants at different heights through container garden ideas, such as pots at various heights, rather than leaving every inch exposed to direct sun.
Crocus
Miscanthus Sinensis ‘ferner Osten’
Thompson & Morgan
Olive Tree (standard)
Thompson & Morgan
Summer Grass Trio
5. Mulched borders
A thick layer of mulch helps soil retain moisture, protects roots from baking temperatures and reduces how quickly flower beds and containers dry out. We’re big fans of RocketGro Organic’s Magic Mulch, £14.92 for 50L from Amazon, for its soil enrichment, weed suppression and moisture retention.
Without a layer of mulch in some form, whether it’s compost, leaf mould or manure, even well-watered plants can start looking stressed surprisingly quickly during prolonged hot weather.
RocketGro
Organic Magic Mulch – 50l – Chemical-Free Natural Garden Mulch
Westland
Bed & Border Chipped Bark 70lt
Strulch
Mineralised Straw Mulch 100l
6. Climbers covering fences and walls
Bare fences and brick walls can absorb huge amounts of heat and radiate it back into the garden well into the evening. And that’s why a lot of people feature climbing plants like jasmine, clematis and honeysuckle to soften vertical surfaces.
Green coverage acts a bit like insulation, helping reduce heat buildup around seating areas and patios.
And aside from their cooling benefits, climbers also make gardens look prettier, leafier and feel far more relaxing, especially if they smell incredible too. I love the sweetly-scented jasmine varieties in this Climber trio, from £24.99 at Thompson & Morgan.
Thompson & Morgan
Trachelospermum Jasminoides
Crocus
Lonicera Periclymenum ‘rhubarb and Custard’ ®
Thompson & Morgan
Clematis Crystal Fountain™ Evipo038
7. An outdoor fan
One thing we’re seeing more and more in gardens is the addition of a portable outdoor-indoor fan.
They’re brilliant during heatwaves because they help circulate air around seating areas without needing a permanent installation, and many newer designs are surprisingly sleek, like Shark’s FlexBreeze HydroGo misting fan, £99.99 at Currys, which is rechargeable and easily moved around.
Even a gentle breeze can make a garden feel significantly cooler when the air is heavy and still.
This indoor-outdoor fan is perfect for cooling down in your garden in a heatwave.
MEACO
Sefte 8” Table Air Circulator Fan – White
Morphy Richards
Airflex Portable Oscillating Fan, Rechargeable
So, by adding more shade, introducing cooling additions and adding some clever planting, you can stay cooler out there when things heat up!
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