Types

• Shade can be created using a variety of materials, including shade sails, wooden patio covers, plastic or wood lattice, shade cloth or retractable awnings. Patio table umbrellas can also be used to shield plants from direct sunshine.
  
  

Time Frame

• The sun is intense in Arizona from April to October. After the autumnal equinox, the sun lowers in the sky, creating more favorable conditions for plant growth, especially those growing in pots. Signs of sunburn on plants are curled, brown, dried up leaves or leaves with brown spots on them. Not only does the shade keep leaves healthy, it also cools the roots of potted plants.
  
  

Considerations

• Plants that prefer shade to full sun thrive under covered patios. These plants include coleus, impatiens, many succulents and some heat-tolerant ferns. These plants may require daily watering in the summer months even though they are in the shade.