7 things people with cool gardens in a heatwave always have – simple tricks and features that ensure a thriving outdoor space even in hot weather

A garden with a folding wooden sun lounger and a matching gardenchair set next to a fire pit.

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.