A plant quartet for all seasons ‘Caradonna’

Crataegus lavalleei ‘Carrierei’

Providing the backbone, this hawthorn can be restricted by pruning to suit your space. White May blossom is followed by orangeyred berries and its glossy, oval leaves turn red late in autumn. Unpruned H/S: 4m (13ft).

Salvia nemorosa

Fully hardy perennial with violet-blue flower spikes held aloft on compact plants from June to October. Silvery foliage is aromatic and purple stems make attractive accents in a sunny border. H: 50cm (1¾ft), S: 30cm (1ft).

Potentilla

These resilient shrubs flower in a range of pretty colours from May through to October. Keep them pruned and they’ll reward in spring with luxuriant fresh new growth. H: 1m (3½ft), S: 1.2m (4ft).

Purple-leaved heuchera

My ground cover choice is a heuchera such as ‘Plum Pudding’ or ‘Wildberry’. Their splash of purple leaves sings out from winter borders or, in colder gardens, re-emerges in spring. H/S: 50cm (1¾ft).