Are you looking for plants for the shade? Or garden chairs and tables, so that you can sit in the shade and admire the flowers? Or perhaps a parasol so that you can sit in comfort and enjoy a sunny garden?

It may be true that Gardens are not made by saying: "Oh how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade. But a place to sit in the shade is one of the reasons for making a garden.

There are some people who enjoy collecting uncommon plants. They may be happy to spend most of their lives rarely sitting down, preferring to be active - planting and digging, weeding and pruning. Folk like these tend to be healthy, energetic souls. But there are many other gardeners, who enjoy choosing their seeds, planning their planting schemes, and regularly doing no more than an hour or two of hard work in the garden.

And yet others are unable to do very much of the actual planting themselves – maybe due to age, lack of strength, or simply that they are compelled to work at some other occupation. This group may be obliged to employ others to help maintain their gardens.

But at times most of us like to sit and admire the bees buzzing about among the flowers. On hot afternoons, we search for a cool, shady spot, tall plants upon which to gaze, and shrubs and trees to provide shade. Chairs and a bench beside a garden table can be very inviting.

If you would really benefit from shade and there are no trees in your district, consider a wooden or metal parasol that one simply pushes into the grass (they do work!). Wooden arches, verandas, awnings, hammocks, or chairs with their own sunshades attached, are other items that provide shade. Giant sunshades over tables could also be considered.

It is possible to use the garden all year, if items to provide shade and shelter are added. A neighbour has a small marquee, which stays out in all seasons. In shape it resembles a circus big-top tent. The neighbour and guests carry out chairs, lighting and heaters during the cooler months and sit talking well into the evening. They have turned the space into an extra room.

There are various designs in tables and chairs. The choice really depends on whether one is seeking a circular or a rectangular shape for a table, or folding or rigid chairs. Would furniture made in traditional styles of a durable wood or modern styles of metal, fit in best with the surroundings? Cost comes into the decision too, of course, but value for money is also important.

Did you know that teak furniture can be left outdoors all year? Swan Hattersley make numerous kinds of garden furniture, including parasols that slot through dining tables on to a secure base. There are some very smart tables and chairs with a choice of fabrics for cushion. Garden furniture can be purchased directly from the GoneGardening shop – click on Outdoor Leisure - for a large selection of parasols, awnings, lighting, heating.

Plants that give a magnificent show in shady areas of gardens are foxgloves. Dappled shade from the edge of a tree canopy is ideal, but a fair amount of shade by a fence or wall is tolerated. Foxgloves are right for the wildlife garden too – bees love them. Consider sowing a packet of Digitalis pupurea ‘Woodlanders’ in June, for planting out in September. And white foxglove, D. purpura ‘Alba’, is superb for cutting.

Personally I am happy with a deckchair.