I grew a roof

There are many ways to create shade over a pergola

You could, for example, install a perfectly sensible shade sail. Something neat, tensioned, and efficient. Up in a day. Minimal fuss. Predictable outcome. Very… practical.

Or - and hear me out - you could grow an ornamental grapevine over the top and achieve something vastly more beautiful. Because truly, why would you settle for a piece of fabric when you could have cascading green foliage, dappled light, and that slightly smug feeling that comes from saying, “Oh this? It’s just a vine”

It’s elegant. It’s romantic. It’s practically Mediterranean. It is, without question, the superior choice.

Mostly.