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

Andy Monaghan is a wonderfully creative soul both in the garden and beyond it, sharing his talents as a professional dancer and spending his “off season” knee‑deep in tulips, zinnias and prairie perennials. 
In this episode, Sarah is joined by Andy, a florist, flower grower and dancer, to choose the finest tulips for a collection that will come back year after year. They talk perennial tulips, resilient planting for hot dry summers, and the quiet joy of designing gardens that can cope with a changing climate.
In this episode, discover:
How Andy built a three‑tulip collection around perennial performers like ‘Artist’, ‘Don Pedro’ and the ‘Sarah Raven’ tulip
Practical ways to choose tulips and perennials that cope better with heat, drought and changing weather
The reality of juggling two creative careers across seasons of the year
Which plants thrived in a hot summer, from zinnias and prairie perennials to dahlias and phlox
Ideas for designing both larger flower plots and small town gardens
Products mentioned:
Tulip ‘Artist’: 
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-artist
Tulip ‘Dom Pedro’ (Tulipa ‘Don Pedro’): 
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-dom-pedro
Tulip ‘Sarah Raven’: 
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulip-sarah-raven
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’: 
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-limelight
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’: 
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-arborescens-annabelle
Acanthus mollis ‘Rue Ledan’: 
https://www.sarahraven.com/products/acanthus-mollis-rue-ledan
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 us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

September is a turning point in the gardening calendar, a month in which we’re preparing our plants - as we are ourselves - for the colder months.
Sarah and Josie join forces this week to share the key jobs you should prioritise at this point in the year - from focusing on your edibles to deadheading your dahlias. September is also the time to plant out your biennials before the cold sets in, start forcing bulbs, and take cuttings of your tender perennials.
Products mentioned:
Mustards (Hardy Mustard Mix): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hardy-mustard-mix
Salad Rocket (‘Serrata’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salad-rocket-serrata
Mizuna: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mizuna
Winter Purslane: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/winter-purslane
Coriander (‘Leisure’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/coriander-leaf-form-leisure
Flat-leaf Parsley ‘Giant of Napoli’ (Listed as ‘Gigante di Napoli’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/parsley-gigante-di-napoli
Chard (‘Bright Lights’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chard-bright-lights
Spinach (‘Giant Winter’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/spinach-giant-winter
Ammi majus: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-majus
Ammi visnaga: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-visnaga
Salvia viridis ‘Blue’ (‘Blue Monday’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-viridis-blue
Black Scabious – Scabiosa atropurpurea (‘Black Cat’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/scabiosa-atropurpurea-black-cat
Honesty (Lunaria annua ‘Chedglow’): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lunaria-annua-chedglow
Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis var. albiflora): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hesperis-matronalis-white
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 us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

From the first November blooms to the last flowers in May, narcissus can quietly carry your garden through the whole of spring. 
In this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Tom Stimpson joins Sarah as they unpack what they found on a whirlwind narcissus trip to the Netherlands – from finely bred, climate‑resilient varieties to pots that brim with scent on the coldest days. 
They share their favourite tried‑and‑tested daffodils for pots, borders and cutting, and the key characteristics they now look for.
In this episode, discover:
How to plan a simple narcissus succession so you have daffodils in flower from November through to May
The named varieties Sarah and Tom rate for pots, borders and cutting, such as ‘Avalanche’, ‘February Gold’ and ‘Starlight Sensation’
Practical ideas for making your space work harder, including interplanting narcissus with dahlias for almost seamless colour
Products mentioned:
Narcissus ‘Actaea’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-actaea
Narcissus ‘Avalanche’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-avalanche
Narcissus ‘February Gold’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-february-gold
Narcissus ‘Tête‑à‑tête’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-tete-a-tete
Narcissus ‘Rip Van Winkle’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-rip-van-winkle
Narcissus ‘Silver Chimes’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-silver-chimes
Narcissus ‘Starlight Sensation’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-starlight-sensation
Narcissus ‘Pheasant’s Eye’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-pheasants-eye
Narcissus ‘Snipe’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-snipe
Narcissus ‘Sailboat’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-sailboat
Narcissus ‘Polar Hunter’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-polar-hunter
Fritillaria meleagris (Snakeshead Fritillary): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/fritillaria-meleagris-plum-white-mixed
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 us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

If grey squirrels have ever stripped your pots overnight or raided a carefully planted bulb lasagne, there are ways to protect your perfectly composed pots.
Sarah is joined by Josie Lewis this week to share what’s actually worked at Perch Hill after years of trials – from cleverly laid thorny rose prunings to beautiful pot toppers that protect bulbs and earn their keep. 
In this episode, discover:
How Sarah and Josie protect freshly planted bulbs from grey squirrels and other pests without relying on ugly or ineffective solutions
Exactly how to use thorny stems as a simple, physical barrier over pots through autumn and winter
Which ornamental plants make the best pot toppers over bulbs, and where each works best
How to use edible pot toppers such as hardy lettuces and salad leaves to both shield bulbs and provide generous harvests before tulips emerge
Products mentioned:
Ammi visnaga: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-visnaga
Ammi majus: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-majus
Heuchera ‘Black Taffeta’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/heuchera-black-taffeta
Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/erysimum-bowless-mauve
Wallflower ‘Sugar Rush Purple’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wallflower-sugar-rush-purple-bicolour-f1
Cerinthe (Honeywort): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cerinthe-major-purpurascens 
Cerinthe 'Kiwi Blue':  https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cerinthe-major-kiwi-blue
Mizuna ‘Red Knight’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mizuna-red-knight-f1
Salad Rocket: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salad-rocket-serrata
‘Red Frills’ Mustard: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mustard-red-frills
Sea Holly (Eryngium): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/eryngium-x-zabelii-big-blue
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 us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

We’re stepping once more into Tom Stimpson’s tiny town garden to see how he coaxes months of colour from the smallest of spaces. 
In this episode, Tom shares the mini bulbs that have truly earned their keep in pots and window boxes – from long-flowering iris and species tulips to cheerful muscari and dwarf narcissus. 
Together we explore simple planting “recipes”, clever table‑top displays, and a low‑maintenance watering approach that lets the weather do most of the work. 
In this episode, discover:
How Tom turns a tiny town garden into months of spring colour using mini bulbs in pots, tabletops and window boxes
Which small bulbs really earn their keep in containers – from Ipheion ‘Alberto Castillo’ and ‘Wisley Blue’ to favourite species tulips and dwarf narcissus
Simple ways to plan a small-space bulb display, including easy paper layouts and colour planning
A low-maintenance watering approach for bulbs in pots that relies on deep, occasional soaking rather than constant fussing
Practical tricks for protecting bulbs from squirrels and how to give narcissi, muscari and Iris reticulata a second life in borders.
Products mentioned:
Ipheion ‘Alberto Castillo’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ipheion-alberto-castillo
Tulipa sylvestris: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/tulipa-sylvestris
Anemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/anemone-blanda-blue-shades
Muscari ‘Blue Magic’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/muscari-blue-magic
Muscari ‘Valerie Finnis’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/muscari-armeniacum-valerie-finnis
Narcissus ‘Minnow’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-minnow
Narcissus ‘Sailboat’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-sailboat
Scilla / Squills (Siberian Squill): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/scilla-siberica
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 us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest