Roofs and ceilings—a growing canopy

The trick to good garden design is finding ways to connect people to plants. 

What this means is that we must make our gardens more human-friendly; and one of the most important elements to achieve this is shade or shelter.

Pergolas, awnings, sails and trellises are wonderful for instant overhead protection, and you’ll see a lot of them about, especially in public places. But there’s something really special about a living shelter. If space and growing conditions allow, take a moment to imagine yourself swinging lazily in a hammock or reclining on a lounge gazing up through fronds of green or a canopy of natural dappled light.

A big tree is what we would characterise as a roof: tall, strong and wide-spreading. Large evergreen specimens have permanent canopies, but if you live in a cooler area and need to warm the yard in winter then deciduous trees—which filter the sun in summer and shed their cloak in winter—are a good choice. If you require something less robust, consider smaller trees that work more as a ceiling rather than a roof, enclosing the space to make it more intimate.

Some of my favourite roof and ceiling trees are:

• Acer Palmatum JAPANESE MAPLE
• Dracaena Draco DRAGON TREE
• Eucalyptus 'Summer Beauty' SUMMER BEAUTY GUM
• Plumeria obtusa WHITE FRANGIPANI
• Robinia psuedoaccia 'Frisia' GOLDEN ROBINIA
• Washingtonia spp. COTTON PALM
• For more see my book The Source Book Second Edition

Many people can be reluctant to take on a big tree, however like all plants, the key to success is finding the right location. If you don't have enough room for a tree, you can always consider vines and climbers growing over an overhead structure.