dvice - Four Seasons Garden

Garden of regeneration

A GARDEN FOR YEAR-ROUND INTEREST
HOW TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN FOUR SEASONS GARDEN

If you want a garden that looks great all year round rather than just spring and summer, then help is at hand from the inspirational Sadolin Four Seasons Garden, which scooped a Gold medal at this year’s prestigious Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

Designed by Helen Williams (pictured below), and brought to life by landscaper Marc Patrick of Garden Care Supplies, the garden was conceived to show how outdoor space can be maximised for use all year round.  At just 36m², it also proves just how versatile a smaller garden can be – especially as it boasts not one, but two, entertaining areas, some stunning beds and even a kitchen herb garden.

Helen Williams in her garden at Hampton Park Flower Show

Inspired by Helen’s recent trips, the Sadolin Four Seasons Garden borrows from the laid back style of Australian gardens and the fragrant herbs of the Crete hillsides.  It also draws on 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 wooden structures not only create an attractive backdrop to the pretty planting but also form the ‘bones’ of the garden, offering visual stimulus throughout the year.

The Sadolin Four Seasons Garden

Not sure how to start planning your outdoor space?  Then try these six steps on your own outdoor space and you could soon be getting much more out of your garden.

If you want a garden that can be used 365 days a year, why not take some inspiration from The Sadolin Four Seasons Garden?

  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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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, Botanic or Whisper from the Sadolin Four Seasons range.
  1. 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.

Get the look

Trellis fencing and planters - Sadolin Four Seasons Garden Furniture Colour & Protector in 'Prospect Bay'
Trellis fencing and planters - Sadolin Four Seasons Garden Furniture Colour & Protector in 'Prospect Bay'

Raised decking – Sadolin Four Seasons Decking Colour & Protector in ‘Whisper’ (available 2009)
Raised decking - Sadolin Four Seasons Decking Colour & Protector in 'Whisper' (available 2009)

Sunken deck – Sadolin Decking Stain & Preserver in ‘Natural’ Garden Furniture – Garden Furniture Oil
Sunken deck - Sadolin Decking Stain & Preserver in ‘Natural’
Garden Furniture - Garden Furniture Oil

Sadolin would like to thank the following for their help with this gold-medal winning garden

Helen Williams, www.helenwilliamsgardendesign.co.uk
Marc Patrick & team at Garden Care Supplies, www.ourgarden.co.uk
Champion Timber, www.championtimber.com
Alexander Rose, www.alexander-rose.co.uk
Esther Hartley, www.estherhartley.com