If you’re looking to avoid high energy bills by running your air conditioner at full blast all summer long, there’s an often-overlooked feature that can help: Your landscaping can help keep your home cool in the summer by adding shade to areas that would otherwise absorb a lot of heat. Adding plants and other smart landscaping features can go a long way in keeping your interior cooler and lowering your energy bills.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, trees can cool the surrounding air by up to 6 degrees Fahrenheit. And because warm air rises while cooler air settles near the ground, the temperature in an area shaded by a tree can be up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than unshaded asphalt. For your home, this means that shade trees, as well as hedges and even grapevines, can play a major role in conserving energy during hot weather. While shade trees can take a decade to mature and are generally a long-term investment, hedges can mature in about three or four years, providing shade more quickly. By using trellis-style vines for even faster-growing shade, you can achieve results in a single season.

The sun shines the strongest on your windows on the east and west sides of your home because you get the most direct sunlight through windows when the sun is low on the horizon. To reduce heat absorption through windows, plant your shade trees and other plants on the east and west sides of your home. Be sure to consider the space a plant’s root system needs and place them a safe distance away from your home to avoid damaging your foundation.

In areas that are cold in the winter and hot in the summer, deciduous trees and shrubs are a great choice because they drop their leaves in the fall, providing less shade during the winter months when sun exposure is desirable to retain heat. In areas where sun exposure is never desired, such as in warmer climates, you can opt for coniferous trees and shrubs that retain their leaves or needles year-round, providing your home with continuous protection from sun exposure. In colder climates, you can opt for less shade on the sunny sides of your home, allowing sunlight to help warm your home.