The Best Shading Options for Your Home
Best Shading Options to Beat the Nebraska Heat
Nebraska summers can be hot and intense, and if you’ve ever found yourself sweltering in your own backyard, you know how crucial it is to have effective shading solutions. Not only do shaded areas provide comfort during the hottest parts of the day, but they also help reduce energy bills by keeping your home cooler and protecting your outdoor spaces from harsh sun exposure.
Pergolas and Gazebos
Pergolas and gazebos offer stylish, open-air shading that can transform your backyard into a welcoming retreat. Pergolas, which are typically made with horizontal slats, allow for some sunlight to filter through, giving you a balance of sun and shade. They’re perfect for creating shaded walkways, outdoor dining areas, or lounge spaces.
Gazebos, on the other hand, offer full coverage with a roof, providing more complete shade and shelter from the elements. Both structures can be customized with climbing vines, drapes, or retractable shades for extra coverage and privacy.
Best Shade Trees
When choosing trees for shading, consider factors like their mature size, leaf density, and growth rate. The goal is to select trees that will grow tall and wide enough to cast shade on your home, patio, or garden area.
1. Oak Trees (Quercus spp.)
Oak trees are a classic choice for shade in Nebraska. Known for their broad, dense canopy, oaks can provide significant shade and cooling relief for your home. These trees are hardy, long-living, and can withstand the challenging Nebraska climate, including heat, drought, and heavy snow.
Best for: Larger yards with plenty of space, particularly on the west or south side of the home to block afternoon sun.
Why Choose Them?
Large, dense canopy
Long lifespan
Strong and drought-tolerant
2. Maple Trees (Acer spp.)
Maples are another excellent option for shading. With their broad leaves and fast growth rate, they can quickly provide substantial shade. The Red Maple, Sugar Maple, and Silver Maple are popular varieties that thrive in Nebraska’s climate. Maples are also well-known for their beautiful fall foliage, adding an extra layer of seasonal charm to your landscape.
Best for: Medium to large yards, especially for shading patios, decks, and driveways.
Why Choose Them?
Fast-growing
Vibrant fall color
Adaptable to a variety of soil types
3. Linden Trees (Tilia spp.)
Linden trees are prized for their large, heart-shaped leaves and their ability to provide dense, broad shade. These trees grow well in Nebraska’s soil and climate and are known for their sweet-smelling flowers, which attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. The American Linden and Littleleaf Linden are popular choices for residential landscapes.
Best for: Areas near patios, porches, and driveways.
Why Choose Them?
Excellent shade canopy
Beautiful flowers and fragrance
Pollinator-friendly
Best Shrubs and Bushes for Shading
While trees are great for providing large areas of shade, bushes and shrubs can be an excellent option for smaller areas or for creating layered, multi-dimensional shade. Planting shrubs along the foundation of your house or in strategic spots throughout your yard can block sunlight, protect your home’s exterior, and add texture to your landscape design.
1. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Boxwood shrubs are compact, evergreen plants that can form low hedges or be shaped into taller screens. They’re ideal for providing year-round shade along your home’s foundation or around patios. Boxwoods are also great for creating privacy screens or acting as windbreaks.
Best for: Smaller spaces or along property lines to block sun and provide privacy.
Why Choose Them?
Low-maintenance
Evergreen for year-round coverage
Can be shaped into hedges or screens
2. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.)
Hydrangeas are a popular choice for adding both shade and beauty to your landscape. Their large, showy blooms provide visual interest, while their dense foliage offers partial to full shade. Varieties like the Oakleaf Hydrangea or the Endless Summer Hydrangea thrive in Nebraska’s climate and can provide shade to gardens or shaded seating areas.
Best for: Flower beds, garden areas, or patios that need partial shade.
Why Choose Them?
Beautiful, colorful blooms
Tolerates partial shade
Versatile in a variety of landscapes
3. Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)
Viburnums are versatile shrubs that can grow large enough to provide shade, while also adding visual interest with their dark green foliage, fragrant flowers, and vibrant berries in the fall. Varieties like the American Cranberrybush Viburnum or the Korean Spice Viburnum are particularly well-suited to Nebraska’s climate.
Best for: Privacy hedges, backyard borders, or areas that require both sun and shade.
Why Choose Them?
Dense foliage for shade
Attractive flowers and berries
Hardy and adaptable
4. Spirea (Spiraea spp.)
Spirea bushes are small, flowering shrubs that thrive in full sun and provide partial shade. They’re perfect for creating layers in your landscape design, as their delicate flowers bloom in various colors, and their leaves form a dense hedge. While they don’t provide as much shade as larger bushes, they can be planted strategically to reduce sunlight around patios or decks.
Best for: Accent plants or mixed shrub borders.
Why Choose Them?
Fast-growing
Colorful flowers
Attractive foliage
Where to Plant Trees and Bushes for Maximum Shade
The placement of trees and bushes around your home is just as important as the selection itself. Here are a few tips for strategic placement:
West-Side Shade: Trees planted on the west side of your home are particularly effective in blocking the afternoon sun, which can be the hottest part of the day.
Near Patios and Decks: Plant trees or bushes around your outdoor living spaces to create shade and increase comfort. Just make sure they won’t overshadow too much of your garden or block airflow.
Along the Foundation: Shrubs planted along the foundation of your house can provide partial shade and protect the exterior from intense sunlight, helping to keep your interior cooler.
Choosing the right trees and bushes for shading your home is an investment in comfort, energy savings, and the overall aesthetic of your property. Whether you're looking for towering oaks to block the sun or low-maintenance bushes to provide year-round shade, there are plenty of options to suit every home in Nebraska.
We are passionate about helping homeowners create beautiful, functional landscapes. If you’re interested in planting trees or shrubs that will provide shade and add value to your home, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our expert team will work with you to select the best plants for your property and design a landscape that meets your needs and enhances your outdoor space.