As the UK starts to warm up for summer, a landscaping expert has revealed the six common mistakes Britons make when planning a revamp of their green spaces. Many UK gardens may become uncomfortable in the summer because, unlike those in other countries, they aren’t designed with heat in mind.
A lack of shade is often the biggest issue, especially in spaces that sit in direct sun for most of the day while hard surfaces such as patios and paving can also make things worse. They tend to absorb sunlight, meaning they stay hot into the afternoon. In more enclosed gardens, limited airflow can trap that heat, leaving the space feeling much warmer than expected, particularly in built-up areas.
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Example of a thermal garden design (Image: Validus Construction)
Now James Holmes, managing director of Validus Construction, has given Express readers the six common mistakes and how to instead create a modern ‘thermal garden’ design – to keep your garden cooler in warmer weather.
James said: “We’ve all experienced how a garden feels during a heatwave – the patio is too hot to walk on, there’s nowhere shaded to sit, and the whole area feels hotter than the house itself.
“It’s often the same things causing the problem: too much hard paving, not enough shade, and a layout that doesn’t let air move through properly.
“On a warm day, that can leave a garden feeling stuffy and uncomfortable rather than somewhere you actually want to spend time.
“The key mistake here is assuming that as long as the garden looks good, it will work well in all seasons, but in reality, it’s not always the case.”
“The good news is, you don’t necessarily have to rebuild your garden from scratch. It does mean you may need to think more carefully about shade, materials, and how the space catches heat throughout the day.”
1 – Add shade where you need it most:
Shaded areas make a clear difference to a garden, particularly over seating spaces and patios. Trees, pergolas, and climbing plants can all help reduce direct sunlight and make these areas more comfortable to sit in.
As the days are longer during Spring and Summer, it also helps to think about how the sun moves across the garden. Having a couple of shaded spots at different times of day makes it easier to use the space from morning through to evening.
2 – Allow for airflow:
A garden will always feel more comfortable if air can freely move through it. Spaces that feel closed off tend to hold heat, while more open layouts allow a breeze to pass through and keep things fresher. Even making small adjustments to planting or your garden layout can help improve this.
James Holmes, MD of Validus Construction (Image: Validus Construction)
3 – Be mindful of materials:
The materials used in a garden can have a bigger impact than many people expect. Dark paving and large areas of hard surfacing tend to absorb heat and stay warm for longer, which can make the whole space feel hotter.
Lighter materials, such as pale stone or gravel, reflect more sunlight and can help keep temperatures down.
4 – Use different areas of the garden:
Most gardens will naturally have areas that feel warmer or cooler depending on their position. South-facing walls and paved sections often hold onto heat better, while shaded areas stay cooler during the day.
You can use these differences to your advantage, which in turn can make the space more practical. Consider creating cooler areas for daytime use and warmer spots that will be more comfortable during the late afternoon and early evening.
5 – Choose plants that can cope with the heat:
Like indoor houseplants, the type of plants used in a garden can also help it hold up better during warmer weather. Some varieties, such as lavender, salvia, verbena, ornamental grasses, and Mediterranean herbs, cope well with heat and dry conditions without losing their appearance.
6 – Include water as a cooling element:
Water can make a noticeable difference in a garden during hot weather, as it can help cool the space. It doesn’t need to be complicated either – even adding a small feature such as a water bowl or a bird bath can help a space feel fresher and calmer, particularly in areas with a lot of paving or direct sunlight. It can also help make a garden feel more balanced, which, without it, might otherwise feel dry and bright in the middle of the day.
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