This One Fast-Growing Tree Will Gently Cool Your Patio in Spring and Summer – Without Blocking the View

My patio might not be enormous, but it's more than big enough for me to spend hours soaking up the sun come summertime. However, it never takes long for me to realize that I'm lacking shade – so I'm determined to use a few plants to solve the problem this year.

Anyone hunting for patio shade ideas will know that the choices are endless. Pergolas, parasols and gazebos will all look elegant, but it's easy to forget that trees are just as effective (and they're often far more budget-friendly). If I had to pick just one fast-growing tree, the answer is simple: I'd say that Japanese maple trees are the perfect way to cool your patio.

With a wide canopy of vibrant foliage, Japanese maples provide plenty of shade while being surprisingly simple to grow and maintain. And with spring finally underway, now is the best time to add one to your garden. (You can pick up a handsome red dragon Japanese maple from Fast Growing Trees.)

Why Japanese Maples Make the Perfect Patio Tree

Adding foliage to your patio is a failsafe way to create shade and guarantee a cooling effect as the weather warms – but Japanese maples bring a particularly graceful touch.

'A Japanese maple doesn’t just cool your patio, it changes how light moves through the space,' explains Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. 'It makes a patio feel softer, calmer, and more usable from April and throughout the summer months.'

Take one look at a Japanese maple and you might feel a little intimidated, but these beautiful trees don't require a huge amount of maintenance – and they're largely seen as some of the best trees for small gardens.

There are many different varieties of Japanese maples; something like the 'crimson queen' (which you can find at Fast Growing Trees) will only reach a height of around 8 feet, which is ideal for small patios.

The 'bloodgood' Japanese maple (which you'll also find at Fast Growing Trees) is one of the most popular options, boasting classic purple leaves which turn bright red in the fall.

Rachel Bull

Rachel is a gardening editor, floral designer, flower grower and gardener. Her journalism career began 17 years ago on Country Living magazine, sparking a love of container gardening and wild planting. After more than a decade writing for and editing a range of consumer, business and special interest titles, Rachel became editor of floral art magazine The Flower Arranger. She then trained and worked professionally as a floral designer and stylist for six years, and has created floral installations at iconic venues. She joined the Homes & Gardens team in 2023, where she heads up the Gardens section, and presents the weekly gardening and floristry social series Petals & Roots. 

Growing a Japanese Maple in the Spring

When it comes to curating your patio in the spring, you'll likely find that growing Japanese maples in pots is the best idea.

'They are wonderful trees if you're looking for container gardening ideas, as you can move them around your patio or roof as the weather warms up,' says Rachel. 'You can simply place them in the spots where you want to create a bit more natural shelter.'

Japanese maple trees thrive in rich soil that is moist but well-drained. (Opt for an aerated soil mix, like this FoxFarm potting soil from Amazon.)

You'll need to mulch your Japanese maple immediately after planting, but Japanese maples don't need to be pruned often. Generally speaking, they're some of the best trees for small gardens.

At this time of year, adding a Japanese maple to your yard will give you a stunning design feature to enjoy as you start to spend more time outdoors – and they really will help you to keep temperatures lower in sunny areas, which is ideal as those scorching days approach.

'Japanese maples start producing fresh, new foliage in spring,' explains Rachel. 'Their delicate leaves form a gentle, light canopy, which is ideal in the earlier months of being back on the patio.'

Naturally, trees like maples won't create the kind of shade that you can get from a parasol or awning; instead, you can expect a gorgeous dappled effect, with soft light that shifts and changes as the sun moves.

'The sunlight often hits from a side angle in springtime, rather than directly above,' says Rachel. 'As Japanese maples are wider in shape – rather than being towering trees – they can help to intercept the angled light by creating a dappled shade that won't completely block your view.'

What to Shop

Japanese maples might be glorious in the springtime, but they'll elevate your garden all year round; in fact, they're also some of the best trees for fall color.

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