Suffering from the heat? These plants will make your garden cooler
A garden full of flowers and greenery is of course beautiful, but did you know that plants also have a surprisingly cooling effect? They ensure that your garden, terrace or balcony feels up to five degrees cooler - and that is very welcome during a heat wave! With the right plants you can create your own natural air conditioning in your garden. We explain how it works and which cooling plants you should choose.
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It may sound like a garden fable, but it is pure biology. Plants evaporate moisture through their leaves and that process provides cooling. A bit like we do by sweating. The larger the leaf and the fuller the plant, the greater the effect.
In addition, large plants and trees naturally provide shade – and shade means less heating of your terrace, garden path or facade. But low-growing plants also play an important role: they keep the soil cool and prevent it from drying out too quickly.
These plants will help you banish the worst heat from your garden and make your patio or balcony more pleasant during the hottest days.
Bamboo can grow quite tall and provides airy, cooling shade. It also stays green in winter and forms an excellent screen against the sun or prying eyes. Make sure you choose a non-invasive bamboo to prevent your garden from turning into a bamboo forest.
Are you also thinking about cooling your facade? Ivy ( Hedera ) is an ideal climber to grow against warm walls or fences. Not only does it lower the temperature of facades in the summer, it also works as insulation in the winter. It grows quickly, is super strong, is very useful for insects and attracts more birds to your garden .
Bare ground warms up faster than vegetated ground, so it is wise to fill as many gaps in your garden as possible with plants. With ground covers you can quickly fill all the open spaces. The choice is enormous: from periwinkle ( Vinca ) to purple bells ( Heuchera ) and from catnip ( Nepeta faassenii , photo) to 'Flower Carpet' spray roses. There is a good plant for every spot that helps keep your garden cooler (and weed-free).
Ornamental grasses are excellent 'weaving plants' between other groups of plants. The fuller your border is with plants, the more cooling. Ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus and fountain grass ( Pennisetum ) make an important contribution to a cooler garden and provide airy movement and a beautiful sound in the wind.
If you need more cooling on your balcony or terrace, these cooling plants are the right choice. They not only grow well in the ground, but also feel at home in a pot.
The white mulberry is also sometimes sold under the name 'roof mulberry'. This tree is often used as a natural shade maker on (roof) terraces. Its crown forms a kind of parasol and with its dense foliage it evaporates a lot of moisture. A good cooler! The fruits are tasty and healthy, but if you don't want stains on your terrace from fallen fruit, there are also varieties available that produce little to no fruit (such as the Morus alba 'Fruitless').
A fig tree grows well in our climate these days, even in winter. It is a fine tree that grows quickly, has large leaves and gives your garden a Mediterranean look. It quickly forms a natural parasol and is ideal for a warm corner facing south. Also a good choice for balcony gardeners, because it also does well in a pot. Also read our article about pruning a fig tree to keep it beautiful and healthy.
