Alan Titchmarsh reveals his favourite trellis colour, sage green, as an elegant choice to enhance garden spaces and maintain visual interest all year round. His recent garden makeover featured a pale sage trellis that beautifully contrasted with brickwork and embraced climbing plants.
- Sage green stain enhances trellis appeal against brick walls
- Works well with any climbing plants and flower colours
- Keeps gardens lively, even when climbers lose leaves
What happened
Alan Titchmarsh tackled a dull garden corner by installing a trellis painted in a specific shade of sage green. This choice was particularly inspired by its ability to harmonise with the surrounding red brick wall and set the stage for climbing plants to thrive. The trellis was treated with a wood stain product called Protek Wood Stain and Protect in Pale Sage, which offers both colour and protection.
The trellis served as a practical yet attractive screen from a nearby building while allowing a variety of climbers to grow against it. Alan emphasized the dual function of the trellis as both a structural element and a living enclosure that ‘hugs’ the garden corner with foliage and flowers. The use of sage green, an often overlooked shade for garden structures, proved to dramatically elevate the space.
Why it feels good
Sage green was selected because it compliments the traditional red brickwork and remains subtle enough to accommodate all kinds of plant colours. Unlike bolder or lurid greens, pale sage allows climbing flowers of any shade to stand out beautifully without clashing. The colour’s calming and natural tone brings tranquility to the garden setting.
Moreover, for deciduous plants that lose leaves in colder months, a sage green trellis ensures the area maintains a touch of greenery year-round. This keeps gardens looking fresh and inviting even in winter when foliage is sparse. Garden experts affirm that stained wood, rather than painted surfaces, provides longer-lasting protection and requires less maintenance, adding to the joy of a well-cared-for garden.
What to enjoy or watch next
Gardeners can replicate Alan’s approach by choosing quality trellis panels, such as the Forest Garden Rosemore Lattice he used, and applying a durable stain in a similar pale sage shade. This update can turn any overlooked garden nook into a welcoming retreat. Pairing the trellis with climbers like hydrangeas and star jasmine offers a beautiful display of greenery and flowers, enhancing the garden’s seasonal interest.
For those seeking inspiration, Alan’s recent Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh episode provides a delightful demonstration of his process and colour choice. Watching how the sage-stained trellis interacts with both plants and the brickwork can inspire viewers to refresh their own outdoor spaces with color that’s both subtle and impactful.