My patio might not be enormous, but it's more than big enough for me to spend hours soaking up the sun come summertime. However, it never takes long for me to realize that I'm lacking shade – so I'm determined to use a few plants to solve the problem this year.
Anyone hunting for patio shade ideas will know that the choices are endless. Pergolas, parasols and gazebos will all look elegant, but it's easy to forget that trees are just as effective (and they're often far more budget-friendly). If I had to pick just one fast-growing tree, the answer is simple: I'd say that Japanese maple trees are the perfect way to cool your patio.
