We bought this four years ago as a temporary solution for the west-facing terrace but it’s so useful and flexible it’s still there. One section wheels over the other to half the amount of shade and the fabric covers are easily removed, washed and stored over winter. The whole structure easily wheels out for wall maintenance but the 8 lockable castors mean it’s very stable when static. We fixed outdoor venetian blinds around the table section for further shade control.
I wonder if something similar might suit? I don’t think you have the wall height there for a retractable awning since they are usually sloping, it would need to be fixed a decent height above the doors for sufficient headroom below.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
The plant list provided by @GardenerSuze looks very comprehensive and each plant is likely to have been well tried and tested by her! In addition to these, if you want something that will grow to 2m and be happy in heat, most of the Miscanthus ornamental grasses will suit, as will Calamagrostis Karl Foerster which is tall and columnar. Ornamental grasses will give you interest throughout the year, apart from a few weeks after their annual pruning to ground level in March. Interplanted with tall perennials like Verbena bonariensis, Achillea and bronze fennel you will achieve good cover and height within one growing season.
Both @Plantminded and myself are big fans of Calamagrostis Karl Foerster! As mentioned cut to ground level early March. Can be planted in singles or groups for impact, or randomly through a long border. A lovely plant to take you through the winter months but also happy with heat. Nothing for you to do in hot weather either so a bonus. I have mentioned this many times in the past but Knoll Gardens website has lots of lovely ideas on how to garden with grasses. Most are deciduous , a few are tender and a few are evergreen.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Check out the specialist clem growers @Randommoose1 - Taylors, Thorncroft [...]
You could combine that with a small pergola in the site that is best for some shade in the heat. A triangular style for example, can work quite well, but the sails are also useful if you don't want something more permanent. I'm always concerned about those in windy sites - I don't know how stable they are, but I expect others will have experience of them.
Thank you for those suggestions. I have looked at those websites and they are handy thank you.
The tarpaulin did tear around some eyelets when it got caught in strong wind but I think the sails are supposed to be a bit stretchy to avoid tearing. If we get one we would go for one with a good guarantee in case. We are in town so it isn't generally that windy but a playing field behind us means we get stronger winds than expected at times and they can really swirl around the patio.
@Randommoose1 I agree it is a good time of year to be outside making plans before it is too hot. You can also assess your soil to see how wet it is at this time of year.
I was in my south facing garden yesterday you could feel the warmth of the sun, years ago it was nowhere near as strong in January.
If you can create a space that you can also enjoy in the winter months, so you can sit out if only for a short time that might be an idea. I think it is not only light that can help but being surrounded by plants is also beneficial. Plants can create spiritual spaces even in winter.
I am recovering from a nerve injury from digging so any gardening is currently impossible. Along with winter bugs and a toddler all I am able to do currently is planning! Once my hand is recovered I will lift some paving slabs and see what is underneath.
I really like the warmth of the sun, just not in high summer! The rest of the year it is lovely though.
It would be really nice to have somewhere to sit outside in winter or when the ground is wet. I have a plastic chair but it broke last year so it would be nice to get some garden furniture at some point. As you say, being surrounded by plants is beneficial and it would be nice to have an area to sit with them around. It is very bare around the patio currently.
We bought this four years ago as a temporary solution for the west-facing terrace but it’s so useful and flexible it’s still there. One section wheels over the other to half the amount of shade and the fabric covers are easily removed, washed and stored over winter. The whole structure easily wheels out for wall maintenance but the 8 lockable castors mean it’s very stable when static. We fixed outdoor venetian blinds around the table section for further shade control.
I wonder if something similar might suit? I don’t think you have the wall height there for a retractable awning since they are usually sloping, it would need to be fixed a decent height above the doors for sufficient headroom below.
That's an interesting thing I didn't know existed. Something else to add to the list of items to consider!
If we did a retractable awning it would need to be roof mounted because as you say there is no wall space to mount it. No idea if there even is a way to roof mount them, another thing to look up.
The plant list provided by @GardenerSuze looks very comprehensive and each plant is likely to have been well tried and tested by her! In addition to these, if you want something that will grow to 2m and be happy in heat, most of the Miscanthus ornamental grasses will suit, as will Calamagrostis Karl Foerster which is tall and columnar. Ornamental grasses will give you interest throughout the year, apart from a few weeks after their annual pruning to ground level in March. Interplanted with tall perennials like Verbena bonariensis, Achillea and bronze fennel you will achieve good cover and height within one growing season.
I had never considered ornamental grasses! Other than seeing a Miscanthus last year that I liked, they have never really been something I notice or consider. I will have a think as it sounds like they could be a possibility for the situation.
Both @Plantminded and myself are big fans of Calamagrostis Karl Foerster! As mentioned cut to ground level early March. Can be planted in singles or groups for impact, or randomly through a long border. A lovely plant to take you through the winter months but also happy with heat. Nothing for you to do in hot weather either so a bonus. I have mentioned this many times in the past but Knoll Gardens website has lots of lovely ideas on how to garden with grasses. Most are deciduous , a few are tender and a few are evergreen.
Thank you for the suggestions. I have been looking at the plants you wrote on the list on the first page as well.
@Randommoose1 You are more than welcome. Last summer was very dry, I grow a dozen different grasses. Molinia Transparent was the only one that struggled with the conditions. It is a beauty and still worth considering. It's flowers need to be cut away in autumn unlike Calamagrostis as autumn winds damage them. Sorry it is sideways
MOLINIA TRANSPARENT The Bronze flowers are an extra made by a blacksmith .
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Posts
I wonder if something similar might suit? I don’t think you have the wall height there for a retractable awning since they are usually sloping, it would need to be fixed a decent height above the doors for sufficient headroom below.
The tarpaulin did tear around some eyelets when it got caught in strong wind but I think the sails are supposed to be a bit stretchy to avoid tearing. If we get one we would go for one with a good guarantee in case. We are in town so it isn't generally that windy but a playing field behind us means we get stronger winds than expected at times and they can really swirl around the patio.
I really like the warmth of the sun, just not in high summer! The rest of the year it is lovely though.
It would be really nice to have somewhere to sit outside in winter or when the ground is wet. I have a plastic chair but it broke last year so it would be nice to get some garden furniture at some point. As you say, being surrounded by plants is beneficial and it would be nice to have an area to sit with them around. It is very bare around the patio currently.
If we did a retractable awning it would need to be roof mounted because as you say there is no wall space to mount it. No idea if there even is a way to roof mount them, another thing to look up.
I had never considered ornamental grasses! Other than seeing a Miscanthus last year that I liked, they have never really been something I notice or consider. I will have a think as it sounds like they could be a possibility for the situation.
MOLINIA TRANSPARENT The Bronze flowers are an extra made by a blacksmith
.