United Kingdom 
Can any fellow gardeners suggest a way of getting some shade or dappled shade on a SW facing patio? (I know we have had little sun this year, however, as the years progress and winds are more gustier, the sun umbrellas fall over even though they are weighted at the base. A canvas type Gazebo was put in place but the shade it gave was on the garden and not on the patio. If a Pergola was constructed it would take a couple of years for the plants to climb and give dappled shade. Just wondering.... any advice would be helpful.
11 Jun, 2012
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I'd go for the pergola option myself - while you're waiting for plants to grow over the top, you could use greenhouse shading material across it to provide shade more quickly.
11 Jun, 2012