How to create your very own four seasons garden

If you’re a fair-weather gardener but would like to have a garden that you can make use of all year round, then help is at hand from woodcare specialists Sadolin, sponsors of the inspirational Sadolin Four Seasons Garden, which has just scooped a Gold medal at this year’s prestigious Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

Designed by Helen Williams, and brought to life by landscaper Marc Patrick of Garden Care Supplies, the garden was conceived to show how – with a little careful planning and some clever landscaping - outdoor space can be maximised for use all year round.
Helen, who made her debut at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show just last year, comments: “It is ironic that as our lives get busier and our need to unwind becomes stronger, the time we spend in the garden seems to diminish. This relatively low-maintenance design is a challenge to anyone who would love to get more out of their garden but thinks that keeping it attractive past the summer is too much effort. Indeed, with just a little TLC and some forward planning, it can be much more about the extra entertaining space, relaxing ambience and sweet-tasting herbs than hard work and wellies!”

Inspired by the recent launch of the Sadolin Four Seasons range – which was formulated with Telfon surface protector technology to ensure great looks and long lasting protection for garden wood, whatever the weather – the garden uses wooden structures to create the ‘bones’ of the design. This offers visual stimulus throughout the year, especially when a splash of colour is added, and also offers a great complement to the careful planting scheme, designed for year round interest.

Not sure how to start planning your own Four Seasons Garden? Then try these six steps on your outdoor space and you could soon be getting much more out of your garden without the need for year-round maintenance.

1. Don’t rely solely on flower colour for interest. Blowsy blooms are great in summer but what happens when they’ve died back? Instead, supplement your flowering plants with those with rich foliage, and look to add structure with plants such as clipped hornbeams, architectural evergreens and grasses.

2. Always think about the coming seasons. It might be summer, but plan ahead, by planting spring bulbs beneath trees and deciduous shrubs to add an early splash of colour at the start of the year.

3. Consider the structure of your garden and build in elements such as a sail shade and a sheltered deck, which allow the space to be used whether it’s baking hot or a little breezy. Also have blankets on hand for when it starts to get chillier in the evenings – it’s a much prettier look and certainly better for the environment than a patio heater. Similarly lighting – perhaps solar powered or simple nightlights – means the garden can still be used even when the nights start to draw in.

4. Have a ‘star’ performer for every season. For instance, wow guests in summer with shrubs such as hydrangeas and create interest in winter with something like a dogwood, which boasts beautiful coloured stems, or winter-flowering heathers or hellebores.

5. Garden structures and elements can be as important as the plants themselves, providing a smart backdrop and a great foil to the flowers and foliage. Choose wood for a natural and stylish look, and then add all year round colour and protection by staining fences, furniture, sheds, planters and decks in either classic wood shades or pretty pastels such as Prospect Bay, as here in the Four Seasons Garden’s planters, Whisper, as per the beautiful raised deck, and Botanic from the Sadolin Four Seasons range.
6. Don’t forget that a garden works on more levels than just the visual, so while summer’s all about the looks and wonderful fragrances, think about how the other senses can be awakened during the rest of the year. Grasses are great for a touch of autumnal audio delight, while different textures underfoot can add sensory pleasure during winter visits to the garden.

For further information, and to see more pictures of the stunning garden, visit Sadolin.co.uk/fourseasonsgarden.