Welcome to the first in a brand new miniseries of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, as Sarah delves into the world of colour, and how to use each colour palette to its absolute maximum potential in the garden.

In this week’s first episode, Sarah shares how the colour system used at Perch Hill came to be, the theories behind mixing certain palettes, and the difference between calm and chaos when combining colours.

In this episode, discover:

• How Sarah’s experiences as a florist, gardener and colour-obsessed child shaped her approach to garden colour
• How the colour palettes underpin every border at Perch Hill
• Why misuse of colour can make some gardens feel chaotic
• The six key colours within each palette, from citrus brights and Venetian velvets to café-au-lait pastels and cool silvers
• Why no colour is truly “wrong” in a garden, and how the right combinations and contrasts can make even challenging shades sing

Products mentioned:

Tulip 'Mariette': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-mariette

Tulip 'Sarah Raven': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-sarah-raven

Tulip 'Slawa': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-slawa

Tulip 'Dom Pedro': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-dom-pedro

Tulip 'Copex Cairo': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-copex-cairo

Dahlia 'Waltzing Mathilda': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-waltzing-mathilda

Dahlia 'Schipper’s Bronze’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-schippers-bronze

Dahlia 'Tom's Choice': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-toms-choice

Dahlia 'Molly Raven': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-molly-raven

Dahlia 'Perch Hill': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-perch-hill

Dahlia 'Lou Farman': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-lou-farman

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-rubenza

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Dazzler': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-dazzler

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Xanthos': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cosmos-bipinnatus-xanthos

Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/digitalis-purpurea-suttons-apricot

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

In this episode, Sarah is joined by YouTube phenomenon Huw Richards to talk about his journey from smallholding childhood to seven-acre experimental plot, and the ideas behind his hit book Veg in One Bed.

They’ll also cover exactly what to sow in late winter, and what’ll perform best when sown later – from chillies and aubergines to peas, onions and tomatoes.

In this episode, discover:

• How Huw Richards went from helping on his parents’ Welsh smallholding to building a seven-acre experimental food-growing site
• The story behind Huw’s first book, Veg in One Bed, and the sheer potential in a single 10x4ft bed
• How Huw blends creativity with just enough science to keep things productive
• Exactly what Huw is sowing in late winter, and why timing matters
• How Huw’s now using his land to grow for education, biodiversity and food

Episode Cover Photo Credit: Dorling Kindersley: Jason Ingram

Products mentioned:

Pepper 'Padron'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pepper-padron

Courgette 'Black Beauty'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/courgette-black-beauty

Aubergine 'Slim Jim'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/aubergine-slim-jim

Spring Onion 'North Holland Blood Red'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/spring-onion-north-holland-blood-red

Tomato 'Sungold'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-sungold

Tomato 'Tigerella'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-tigarella

Tomato 'Honeycomb' F1

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tomato-honeycomb-f1

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

From their resistance to deep snow and hard frosts, to long-flowering habits, hellebores are quietly spectacular plants that earn their keep in pots, borders and shady corners.

This week we’re diving into one of the true stars of the winter garden, focusing on the new varieties that bring a renewed perspective on one of the winter garden’s most generous providers, and how to keep them looking their best in the garden or in a vase.

In this episode, discover:

• How to choose hellebore varieties for pots, borders and different garden conditions, from shade to full sun with Corsican types
• The best new and classic hellebores for long winter colour, including Maestro, Merlin, Strawberry Moon, Bijou and the Pretty Ellen series
• How to cut, condition and arrange hellebores so they stand proud in a vase for two weeks
• Practical ways to prevent and deal with pests and diseases like aphids, mice damage, leaf miner and black spot
• Tips on soil, compost, potting and feeding so hellebores thrive as long-lived, reliable perennials

Products mentioned:

Helleborus niger

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-niger

Helleborus argutifolius

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-argutifolius

Helleborus x ballardiae 'Merlin'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-x-ballardiae-merlin

Helleborus x 'Bijoux'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-bijoux

Helleborus x 'Guess'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-guess

Helleborus orientalis 'Pretty Ellen Red'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-pretty-ellen-red

Helleborus orientalis 'Pretty Ellen Spotted'

https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-orientalis-pretty-ellen-spotted

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest