Sarah Ravens Garden
By poppylover99
42 comments
Despite the awful weather we’ve been having lately, Willi and I ventured out yesterday to go to Sarah Ravens garden at Perch Hill. We were not disapointed, even though the garden had taken an obvious battering from all the recent wind and rain, the colours were amazing. The tulips, which were planted so abundantly, shone out. Ill stop going on now and let you make up your own minds! When we first arrived our admission fee was taken by Sarahs husband Adam Nicholson. The first garden we came into was the cutting garden.
The influence of Sissinghurst was very clear to see. The garden was sheltered by a high clipped hawthorne hedge all the way around, which made it much more pleasant to walk around and linger over the beautiful plants. There were some lovely ideas on how to support your plants too
No plastic in sight. Sarah is also well known for planting lots of sweet peas. Is this what is going to support them?
I just loved these rhubarb forcers too
This arch looked interesting, maybe this is one of the things she has made from the coppiced willow that we saw lying in bundles on our way in?
Have you noticed the vibrant colour scheme yet? Sarah is quite well known for her floristry skills and runs floristry and cookery courses onsite. She mixes vegetables and fruits in with her flower plantings. Most of the produce served in the restaurant is grown onsite in the garden.
The first picture is rhubarb, no doubt just liberated from those rhubarb forcers and the second purple sprouting broccolli – who would have thought that could be so attractive!
These orange lily shaped tulips were a favourite of mine, they are called ‘Ballerina’ just in case like me you want to grow some. There were also lots of black tulips in the garden and some gorgeous fuschia pink large headed ones. I didnt take the names of all of them – my particular favourites were: Black hero (a black one!) Purple dream and a lovely fuschia pink dolls minuette, plus of course Ballerina. Another plant I particularly liked was the purple cerinthe which was also in full flower at the time of our visit.
I know alot of Goyers watched SR’s Tv programme earlier this year on wildflowers and some lucky people even managed to get a copy of her new book on the same subject. This photo is of an area that runs down the side of the cutting garden and is destined for wild flower planting.
Back in the cutting garden looking through the hawthorne hedge to the lovely view over the Sussex downs
Before we move on, I just have to mention another little area that interested me that was not generally on display. If you have read any of my recent blogs you will know I have a particular liking for chickens. This is the Perch Hill chicken coop
!
So lovely to see, we did see a few chickens but they had so much area especially designated for them to run around in we had trouble spotting them. See if you can spot the chicken in the next photo!
Had to include that for chicken lovers, like me!
Now I wouldnt say Perch Hill is the largest garden Ive ever visited by any means, but I think that is part of its charm. Its much easier to see how you can adapt ideas from this garden to use in your own much smaller one. This next area made me think of our ‘Meadowland’ she wants to plant white foxgloves in a shady part of her garden. This fence has white foxgloves planted all the way along. Just think how that will look in the late spring!
This path lead up to what I called a more formal garden. Although I think SR calls it the ‘rose garden’. A little sign was placed to inform us whats intended here.
There are of course no roses out yet, the area is nonetheless very attractive planted with clipped box and large blue ceramic containers filled with narcissus and tulips
Then we were greeted again by another stunning view out over the Sussex downs at the other side of this lovely garden
Looking back down the path, its now beginning to rain, people have their umbrellas up!
Well we hardly even noticed the rain, even if it was getting a bit chilly. Not to worry though the restaurant and hot coffee was only a little way away. Around the next corner had a totally different feel to it. Almost like stepping onto the set of ‘the Darling buds of May’ – so Kentish, even though this is Sussex!
The next part of the garden was in the more commercial area, housing shop, before entering the coffee shop and restaurant. We decided to carry on seeing the garden, before the rain really set in. I was so glad we did as the next part of the garden was my absolute favourite. Only a couple of months ago, I bought the book the Bold and Brilliant Garden by SR. Although this book was actually one of the first books SR produced, the garden just outside her own living quarters is very recognisable as the influence for this book. The entry to this area is by way of a pretty covered canopy, probably dating back to when Perch Hill was a farm.
A little table with flowers showing off Sarahs floristry skills
This area is so obviously well used by the family, as lots of personal items were in evidence – like the family barbeque. I wondered how lovely it would be to sit under here on a hot summers evening sipping wine and having a lazy supper with the help of the barbeque. Dont know if you can read this – sign outside gate leading to what they call the ‘oast garden’
I was so charmed by this garden, it was really quite small but so full of interest – as she intended!
And large pots of tulips on the balcony of the house
You could imagine Sarah has just finished arranging those flowers – look she has left her bucket behind!
You could see all the working parts of this garden. There were lots of cold frames bursting with plants being brought on for the garden. This cold frame was full of sweet peas
This glasshouse was attached to the restaurant and had an attractive bank of euphorbias and tulips on the other side
I love the lime green of these euphorbias, on a dull rainy day they seemed to glow even brighter
As you can imagine, by this time we were ready for some serious warming up so we headed back to the lovely homemade food in the restaurant and a well deserved cup of coffee.
Sadly we did not get to see Sarah Raven that day. She was around to do Q&A sessions and also to sign her books.
I cannot possibly finish this blog without mentioning the food. The lunch served in the restaurant was absolutely delicious not to mention imaginative. Willi went for the auburgine bake. I had chicken done in a lovely lemony dressing. Both dishes were served with fresh salad leaves from the garden and a superb salad dressings and side dishes – cant describe exactly but well worth the money! I will definately be getting one of SR’s cookery books in the near future – Cooking for family and friends had some lovely recipes in it, including some imaginative picnic food – So watch out Willi, a picnic hamper may be accompanying us on the next trip!
29 Apr, 2012
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Comments
Good to see you two were not put off going out for the day...I am just wondering where the car boot full of stuff is hiding??? I really like the balcony.
29 Apr, 2012
and please can you take a photo of the lunch next time!!!!? i have one of SR cookery books ~ its lovely and really good.
29 Apr, 2012
Thanks for sharing that Poppy, lovely, and really interesting.
29 Apr, 2012
What a glorious place to visit. I'm not a tv fan so did not watch her programmes but I would love to have that much space to play with. Thank you for sharing it with us.
29 Apr, 2012
Interesting garden... very vivid colours in some of the planting ...
Thanks Poppy for sharing your visit. Would you be tempted to go back at another time of year, to see the changes ?
29 Apr, 2012
Thanks so much Poppy for sharing all your photos of this lovely place . . . I especially love the covered canopy! The place "intended for wildflowers" looks very grassy - I wonder if that will be dug up before sowing them (or maybe she'll use plugs)??
29 Apr, 2012
What a lovely garden, those euphorbia Characas with that giant blue pot, stroke of genius. And that balcony with those pale tulips.Loved the whole garden. How did i manage to miss her programs? Thanks for putting this on Poppy.
29 Apr, 2012
i missed them too, would they be on iplayer?
29 Apr, 2012
Poppy you have done us proud, I feel as though I was with you, I would love to visit but its a tad too far so you sharing your visit is much appreciated..
I already mend my baskets and make wigwams using my willow tree so found the plant supports very good, they are so much better then plastic and would look more natural amongst the plants.
Great blog and added to favs, thanks Poppy pleased you and Willi enjoyed it...
29 Apr, 2012
Hi Sticki, I will definately take a photo of the lunch next time, although I must say it tasted much better than it actually looked!
Pimpernel, you will be surprised to know we came back with a completely empty boot! SR's shop did have lots of nice things in, but nothing really that you cant get alot cheaper elsewhere! I was tempted to buy a cookery book and get it signed. The one I liked was £30. I looked up the same book on Amazon and its £19.50!
29 Apr, 2012
i got mine from amazon PL, which one were you interested in? mine is Sarah Raven 'Food for Friends and Family'
its a lovely book. A girl/lady who writes a cookery blog that i follow recommended it and it is well worth it.
29 Apr, 2012
Would you be tempted to go back at another time of year... ?
...the garden would look very different ...
29 Apr, 2012
Yes Terra I would certainly like to go back there later in the year. Willi especially likes dahlias and I believe she has a dahlia festival. Theres a really nice GC, not to mention farm shops around that area too, too many reasons not to go really! I meant to put a list of her open days on here, but easy to find if you google Sarah Raven and or Perch Hill.
Sheilabub, I too liked that canopy. It felt quite intimate in that bit, like stepping into a bit of someones life! It was all the more pleasurable because I had insights from the Brilliant and bold garden book. It didnt disapoint!
29 Apr, 2012
Resi and Sticki, I have a special place in my heart for this garden. It is a true 'florists' garden. SR's colour choices are the same as my own. Bold and brilliant is what I longed for people to choose rather than the usual safe pink and white for their bouquets. Daring to be different was a bit of a theme for me when I had a flower shop, now I would like to transfer that to my garden.
SR's wildflower programmes are bound to be repeated later in the year. I will let you know if I see anything advertised as Im sure other Goyers will too.
29 Apr, 2012
Sticki, snap! - that's the one I looked at. Im definately ordering it now. There's nothing nicer than when someone recommends something and I know what a good cook and foodie you are. So thank you lots!
29 Apr, 2012
Thanks PL, its really lovely to be able to see these places even if i cant always get there myself. arent we lucky to have such a great substitute AND i dont have to get wet to see the flowers!!
when i was little i always said i wanted a flower shop!! didnt work out that way, still love them; but after that i wanted to be in the police force and then a teacher!!!! [did a few other things in between as well]
29 Apr, 2012
not good poppy but i do love it
sending you a pm
29 Apr, 2012
Wow Im so chuffed... I cant keep up with all the comments. Im so glad such alot of you liked this blog. It isnt always easy to put over how lovely a place is and to share the essence of it.
Lincslass, yes Im glad you noticed the willow structures. They are so nice. In my view they make the garden unique and are decorative in their own right. If you ever get a few minutes to spare, I would love to see a blog on how you make your wigwams. They are soooooo pretty. In the local farmshop they were selling bundles of willow. I was very tempted to buy some.
29 Apr, 2012
i would like to see that too please lincslass
29 Apr, 2012
Yes, it is good when you can incorporate several visits into one trip, e.g. garden centres as well.. Wigwam blog sounds great idea :o)
29 Apr, 2012
Sorry Lincs - looks like youve got a job on your hands - by popular demand - Can we have a blog on wigwams and how you do your coppicing?
29 Apr, 2012
Excellent blog Poppy - thanks for sharing
29 Apr, 2012
Thank you Sheilar Im so glad you liked it.
Meadow you know how long I have wanted to go and see this garden. Im so pleased I did. Its not too far away either, so another visit is planned for the end of summer when the dahlia festival will be in full swing. I must remember to take my books for SR to sign!
29 Apr, 2012
Great day PoppyL & great blog, see I knew you would do it better than me.
Sticki I remembered about a photo of lunch when we had about 2 mouthfuls left! It was so tasty we forgot, sorry, Lol.
Well worth a visit everyone, we will def. be going back in the summer.
29 Apr, 2012
Thank you for sharing your day out. Willinilli and yourself certainly had a great day out. Lovely pictures - a garden I could only dream about :)
29 Apr, 2012
thats funny willinilli!! and i approve!!!! glad you enjoyed it.
29 Apr, 2012
Glad you approve Willi, we did have a nice day didnt we.
Sticki understands about lunch, she likes food nearly as much as us! lol
Thank you Scottish its nice to blog on Goy and share with friends, Im glad you liked it.
29 Apr, 2012
absolutely poppylover!!!
29 Apr, 2012
Wow Poppy! What fabulous colour schemes Cerise, Orange and Black. I'm sure I'd like it there too, especially those Orange Tulips and Lime Green Euphorbia - yummy!!!
29 Apr, 2012
Lovely blog..what a nice day out in a beautiful place :)
30 Apr, 2012
That was interesting. It's a wonderful place. I think I'd love to see it.
30 Apr, 2012
Petal yes the colours were beautiful. Pixi and Hywel, if you get the chance this is a garden to put on your list of those to see. It would be totally different depending on what time of year you visit. We want to go back for the dahlia festival. I am tempted to go back in just a couple of weeks because it will be full of purple headed alliums - my absolute favourites!
30 Apr, 2012
I thought you would like them too Meadow - not long to wait now, I planted lots more last autumn the garden here is full of them. I sowed some foxgloves for you today btw.
30 Apr, 2012
Thank you for this amazing blog. What a wonderful day out PL.Its given me new ideas for a colour scheme for next years tulip planting.I particularly liked the orange and purples together.Just bought a small pot of "Shirley" tulips in flower. They are very pale lilac and go well with Queen of the Night so I think a touch of orange could set the scene! PL have you seen Shane Connollys work? Hes fantastic florist who did Kate and Wills wedding flowers.
3 May, 2012
Hi Maggie - so funny you should mention Shirley tulips, my front garden is full of them, mixed with purple prince and a few odd Angelique (pale pink double). I like those orange 'ballerina' tulips too and will definately look out for them next year. Im glad you liked the blog, it was the first time Ive been to her garden but definately will not be the last. I am not familiar with Shane Connollys work but will have a look. I like particularly detailed floristry work incorporating wire work and beads, but the current trends are for more simple designs. Im sure the fashion will change and come around again - it usually does.
3 May, 2012
Ballerinas are for me too; hope we can find them. I usually do when its too late! Hunting will start September:))
4 May, 2012
Poppy, brilliant blog, thank you for telling me. What a beautiful garden she has and her planting is just how I like to do mine (but not nearly as nice!) Her tulips are fab as is everything, i do love wandering around other folks gardens dont you? great fun. Love those rhubarb pots by the way!
9 May, 2012
Ty Grandmage, I hoped the photos would give a glimpse of how magical it is to walk around her garden. Its a bit like reading the book then seeing the film! so glad you liked it. Ill let you know when I find some ballerina tulips.
12 May, 2012
Ty. Poppy :~)
12 May, 2012
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what a beautiful garden to visit, thank you poppylover, that is definitely a place i would like to go, lovely photos and those colours are fabulous!!
29 Apr, 2012