grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends

Latest Episodes:

Planting a Paradise: Perfect Your Flower Yard with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 145 Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

Arthur Parkinson’s evocative, elaborate descriptions of plants might be second only to his ability to elicit a charming image of garden pollinators through his drawings.

His latest book is a celebration of every single garden, and the plants perfect to create ‘a living dance of lavish colours’ - it’s a delight to have him return to the podcast to share how the new book, Planting a Paradise, was brought to life.

In this episode, discover:

Arthur’s comfort in delightful drawings as an artistic language to convey his vision
The importance of bees, butterflies and pollinators, and which Dahlias are most pollinator-friendly
A number of absolute do’s and don’ts for every flower yard

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Creating the Scent and Spectacle of a Naturalised Woodland with Carien van Boxtel - Episode 144 Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Carien van Boxtel’s appearance on the podcast last week was a delightful insight into her incredible eye for naturalising, and she turns that eye this week to woodlands.

Joining Sarah once again, she shares her 12 top varieties to naturalise any woodland area, whether you’re longing to walk through aromatic pastures or colourful bursts of productive flower families.

In this episode, discover:

Carien’s top tips for productive, prolific and pretty bulbs dotted through woodland in the most charming and natural way
The flower families to pick for unbeatable aroma, like the gorgeously natural native Bluebell
Varieties to plant for more striking colour and structure, like the brilliantly vigourous Dog’s Tooth Violet

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Stunning Bulbs for Naturalising Grassland & Meadows with Carien van Boxtel - Episode 143 Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Bringing the haphazard beauty of nature into your own space is a charming prospect, and Carien van Boxtel has an incredible eye for naturalising grassland.

This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Carien joins Sarah to share her 12 top bulbs for year-round naturalising - with plenty of bonus varieties along the way - and her three essential tips for perfect planting.

In this episode, discover:

What makes Snowdrops Carien’s ‘desert island’ flower family for naturalising grass
The later flowering, self-seeding perennial joys of Narcissus
Carien’s critical tips for planting into meadows and grassland, giving you a bustling, colourful space

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

12 Magnificent Climbers for Year-Round Spectacle with Gary Newell - Episode 142 Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Few plants can envelop you in your garden with such naturalised beauty as climbers, and there are varieties fit to keep that adventurous atmosphere year-round.

Sarah is joined this week by Gary Newell to run through 12 of the finest climbing families, with some old favourites like Cobaea Scandens to newcomers like Mrs Amy Doncaster.

In this episode, discover:

Features of the stunning Honeysuckles that make them an unbeatable climbing family for spring
The autumn time focus on colourful climbers with the sizable Vitis Coignetiae
New climbers to our collection with eye catching flair and form

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Francis Hamel & His New Art Exhibition 'Thirty Gardens' - Episode 141 Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

We often tout the picturesque beauty of the horticultural world through our favourite flowers on this show, but few can capture a moment with the same artistic flair as accomplished painter, Francis Hamel.

Perch Hill features in his latest, utterly captivating exhibition entitled Thirty Gardens, alongside some of our other favourites, and Francis joins us to share just how he captures the enveloping atmosphere of each garden with unparalleled poise.

In this episode, discover:

What catalysed Francis to paint the garden at Rousham, the starting point for his gorgeous new project
The creative process behind each painting, with an approach that allows every garden a chance to exude its most delightful features
How the painting process has altered Francis’ perception of what every garden needs

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The Divisive Appeal of Amaryllis, and Josie Lewis’ Stunning Alternatives - Episode 140 Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Amaryllis are fabulous and unusual additions to the house in winter, but while they’re an absolute must for Sarah Raven, Josie Lewis isn’t quite sold on them.

If you’re with Sarah in loving their bombastic beauty then this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ gives you a sizable list to bring into your home. Else if you’re not a fan, then listen up for Josie’s alternative picks, from the watercolour Hellebore of Merlin to the unbeatable mood-lifting Snowdrops.

In this episode, discover:

Why Sarah fights the corner of Amaryllis, particularly when they’re forced ready for Christmas
How to plant your Amaryllis for maximum impact and showy flowers bringing joy to your season
Josie’s ideal Amaryllis alternatives, from the showier Hellebores to the more subtle Snowdrops

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

12 Edibles to Sow Immediately for Winter-Long Joy - Episode 139 Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

For the keen edible gardener, this September and October present a particularly unmissable opportunity to sow a garden chock full of tasty veg.

From the stalwart Lettuce Merveille de Quatre Saisons to the unbeatable hardiness of Flat Leaf Parsley, Sarah parses through all the edibles to share her top 12, with a few bonus veg to boot…

In this episode, discover:

Four superb lettuces that serve as the perfect foundation for any salad
Why Flat Leaf Parsley tops out all other varieties as a perfect pick any time of year
A wealth of recipe ideas for the eye-catching Chard Bright Lights or its chunkier relative, White Silver

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Garden Cook - A Cookalong Series: The Trick to a Refreshing Basil Ice Cream Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

There are two things in this world which, when combined, creates one of Sarah Raven’s ideal desserts - Basil Sweet Genovese, and ice cream.

In the last of our fantastic cookalong series, we’ll be learning Sarah’s rapid recipe for a lovely basil ice cream, best eaten as fresh as possible, and full of utterly wonderful flavour.

In this episode, discover:

Why late summer into early autumn is when Basil is at its best
How simple it is to make plenty of great tasting basil ice cream

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Fill Your 2024 with Showstoppers from the Autumn Range with Arthur Parkinson - Episode 138 Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Every change of season brings with it an opportunity to renew your garden’s beauty for the year ahead, particularly as we head into autumn.

With our autumn catalogue to hand, Arthur Parkinson rejoins Sarah Raven in an episode bursting with imaginative ideas for the year ahead, from later flowering Lilies, to Fratileries that mark the start of spring in style.

In this episode, discover:

How Arthur’s adorning a new space for hens with an abundance of Narcissi
The story behind our uniquely striking Gingersnap Tulip Mix
Arthur’s favourite big pots this year, filled with the charmingly compact Little Miss Figgy
The most exciting new variety of Tulip in our collection, the long-flowering and wonderfully scented Campbell

See our events: https://www.sarahraven.com/courses-events

Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com

Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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

Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Garden Cook - A Cookalong Series: Elevating a Classic Roast Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

The classic Sunday roast is wonderful as is, but with a simple, effective seasoning using the best the garden has to offer, it’s elevated to an absolute family staple.

In the next of our cookalong mini series, Sarah shares the key to a showstopping Sunday meal with a Rosemary and Lemon Chicken recipe, and how the dish harks back to the very best Greek cuisine.

In this episode, discover: