ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH THE GARDEN GAT E


Sarah's garden in winter © Jonathan Buckley


16


THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE PERCH HILL, EAST SUSSEX


This month our television horticulturist, Camilla Bassett-Smith, reports back on a visit to one of this country’s most reputable gardens and home to horticultural stalwart Sarah Raven.


There are certain gardens that as a horticulturist, one feels one should have visited. Hidcote – tick, Great Dixter – tick, The Newt - tick. Perch Hill was still on my list, its paths not yet trodden by my enthusiastic wellingtons, that is until this year, when I was thrilled to be invited to one of their press days to experience all that this revered green space and horticultural business base has to offer.


Located in East Sussex, Perch Hill has been home to Sarah Raven and her family since the 1990s and is a garden lover’s paradise, choc-a-bloc with a chocolate box like selection of all your favourites and many new flavours to try!


With 5 gardeners working alongside Sarah and a plethora of personnel working for the ‘Sarah Raven’ brand, the ethos behind every plant, plot and product is colour, abundance and bio-diversity. In fact, they have recently been awarded B Corp certification, handed out by an American organisation, in recognition of modern companies who take their social and environmental responsibilities seriously. Testing is rigorous and Sarah Raven is the first to achieve such certification within the online retail gardening industry.


Given the windswept, clay site, upon which Sarah gardens, the LIVE24-SEVEN.COM


tapestry of colour and interest, both to humans and pollinators alike, is proof that by making the right plant choices, anyone can create a beautiful garden, despite challenging conditions! 98% of the plants you’ll find in their online catalogue are actually growing at Perch Hill, a satisfying stamp of reassurance when you add that beautiful bulb to your basket!


Dahlias are one of the stand-out plants on display in this garden and whole areas are dedicated to them, indeed Sarah has been championing the oh-so-popular dark leaved dahlias for decades! From classic favourites to un-named newcomers on trial, it’s a vibrant feast for the eyes which keeps on flowering until first frosts. Look out for some exciting new introductions in the years ahead!


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