June is a month when the heat and humidity really start to kick in. It has been the custom to “use” a shade tree as a good cover for staying cool, however old trees are more labour intensive to maintain than other forms of shady elements. Except for older properties, gardens of any size are few and far between nowadays. Large properties with the luxury of established trees should have them inspected yearly; a hurricane can cause considerable damage to large, canopied trees. The loss of a mature tree in the landscape is not only visually devastating but the cost of removal can be expensive.

With smaller property sizes, planting large trees has become a declining exercise and, consequently, sourcing such species is more difficult as nurseries do not grow as wide a variety as they once did. Of course the canopy of a tree can be controlled by pruning, but this does nothing for the retardation of the root system which will still “travel” the easiest route and where there is moisture. I always use the old rule of thumb: the canopy of a tree, when left unpruned, equals its root spread, so be careful when planting close to a structure. When sourcing trees for shade consider the following whilst taking into consideration location, ie coastal vis-à-vis protected areas and anything in between:

Trees for gardens with ample space to grow:

Black Ebony: A deciduous tree attaining a good height and spread. Flowers are yellow, powder puff in shape followed by light brown pods. Relatively hardy. I used it in front of the Clocktower building at Dockyard.

Lilac tree: Deciduous with purple/lilac flowers and small flat seed pods. Needs protection from wind and salt spray; has attractive growth habit. Will attain a height of 30ft plus and a spread of 20ft-plus if in a good location.

Poinciana: An old favourite with its mass of orange-red flowers. Requires a protected area from wind and salt to grow well.

Pride of India: It is often referred to as invasive but, as with anything, good maintenance should control seedling growth. It has attractive lilac flowers followed by bunches of mustard coloured seed and an interesting hue to the bark, not to mention the heavily serrated foliage. In the winter months, when leaves drop, it has a haunting appearance especially if still holding on to the seed.

As an alternative to trees, consider pergolas, gazebos and arbours in their many forms and shapes. In Bermuda — especially with our generally accommodating temperature — gardens should comprise more than just plants, they should incorporate elements which impact our lives physically and mentally; the garden for the physical activity and hard landscaped areas to seduce us during times of relaxation.

Pergolas create an additional feature and are also functional. They can be designed for heavy or light shade without losing the function of also being a vehicle for growing vines and rambling plants and, of course, as a screen from unwanted eyes. When used for shade they should be constructed on a hard surface of setts, brick or concrete.

The gazebo is a very functional structure as well as being aesthetically pleasing. The size should complement the surrounding area — not too imposing or out of scale with neighbouring elements. In areas which are open, the placement can be such that its focal point can be the visual impact of a coast line, a sunset or whatever. With a gazebo, one has options of installing electric outlets in a protected environment which extends the use of the area.

In a small area consider an arbour which can be constructed to accommodate one or two persons whilst still offering protection from the glaring rays of the sun. It can be flat-topped or angular to add character, with slats to accommodate the inclusion of vines to add a new dimension and reduce the impact of the structure. Summer should be when the living is easy and one should not be tied to the garden, which unfortunately is not always the case owing to poor planning and design, a subject I will discuss next month.