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

Every year, we venture out to the Netherlands in search of the most captivating dahlias, each worthy of a spot in your garden to liven up the late-summer months.Tom Stimpson joins us again on the podcast to share their current ‘cream of the crop’, from reliable classics like ‘Molly Raven’ and ‘Adam’s Choice’, to gorgeous growers like ‘Strawberry Cream’ and ‘Princess Nadine’. Join us for an episode packed with garden inspiration for any colour palette, and a glimpse into how we choose our standout favourites from a field of hundreds and thousands.In this episode, discover:How Sarah and Tom select stellar dahlias from Dutch trial fields, and the characteristics that make truly exceptional plantsVarieties that are pollinator-friendly to bring a buzz of life into the gardenHow to condition your dahlias for mighty vase lifeProducts mentioned:Dahlia 'Princess Nadine'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-princess-nadineDahlia 'Skyfall'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-skyfallDahlia 'Café au Lait'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-cafe-au-laitDahlia 'Adam's Choice'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-adams-choiceDahlia 'Polka'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-polkaDahlia 'Strawberry Cream'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-strawberry-creamDahlia 'Honka Pink'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-honka-pinkDahlia 'Molly Raven'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-molly-ravenDahlia 'Labyrinth'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-labyrinthDahlia 'Lou Farman'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-lou-farmanDahlia 'Break Out'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-break-outDahlia 'Verrone's Obsidian'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dahlia-verrones-obsidianFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Shane Connolly is a master of many arts, and one that he exhibits throughout the year is how to use sustainable floristry to create a sense of charm often reserved for the tiniest of tables.That’s why he’s in such high demand - we talk through his exciting, varied year of arranging in this week’s podcast, with a look at the festive season, and a few tips to serve your own arranging in the festive season, taking inspiration from Shane’s wondrous wedding displays.In this episode, discover:How Shane approaches weddings, intimate dinners, grand public events and royal occasionsWhy he favours seasonal, British-grown flowers and how he builds close relationships with growers and suppliersThe behind-the-scenes logistics of big museum dinners and public events, from long tables to thousands of tiny vases and candlesHow Shane creates sustainable, glitter-free Christmas magic, including his Marie Antoinette-inspired V&A tree and reusable decorationsProducts mentioned:Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/convallaria-lily-of-the-valleyFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Whether you're nurturing a bustling city plot or a country border, there’s a spot in everyone’s gardens, pots and borders for beautiful, productive perennials throughout the year.Following on from last week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, Arthur is with us again to focus this time on perennials that are light-touch and bountiful for those of us putting together a low-maintenance garden.In this episode, discover:Perennials, shrubs, and self-seeding annuals that provide long-lasting beauty with minimal carePersonal stories, hands-on tips, and garden-tested wisdom to help you with your plant selection and garden upkeepNew and improved varieties bred for reduced invasiveness, greater disease resistance, and extended flowering seasonsPlants that attract bees and other wildlife, showcasing how low-fuss gardens can support biodiversity tooProducts mentioned:Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch’https://www.sarahraven.com/products/aster-x-frikartii-monchSalvia x jamensis 'Nachtvlinder'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-x-jamensis-nachtvlinderPhlox paniculata 'David'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/phlox-paniculata-davidGeranium 'Rozanne'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geranium-rozanneGeranium wallichianum 'Bloom Me Away'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/geranium-wallichianum-bloom-me-awayPennisetum macrourumhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/pennisetum-macrourumChasmanthium latifoliumhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/chasmanthium-latifoliumStipa giganteahttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/stipa-giganteaFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The ideal garden for our busy daily lives has a border bursting with colour, without the need for hours spent toiling to achieve it.This week’s episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ is the perfect antidote to fussy flowers - Arthur Parkinson returns to laud the best self-seeding perennials for a low-maintenance garden brimming with lasting impact and scent.You’ll hear inspiring ornamentals and edibles to sow, how best to maintain their beauty with minimal effort, and which varieties are most tolerant of tricky soil.In this episode, discover:The beauty and resilience of self-seeding, low-maintenance perennials in creating effortless gardensHow personal stories and childhood memories shape our gardening choices and appreciation for certain plantsPractical tips for encouraging thriving gardens with minimal intervention, including soil, watering, and deadheading adviceEnhancing gardens for wildlife by choosing plants that support pollinators through every stage of their life cycleOrder Arthur’s new book - Hen Party: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/459749/hen-party-by-parkinson-arthur/9780241674703Products mentioned:Alcea rosea 'Giant Single Mixed'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hollyhock-giant-single-mixedEuphorbia oblongatahttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/euphorbia-oblongataHelleborus argutifoliushttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-argutifoliusPapaver rupifragum 'Orange Feathers'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-rupifragum-orange-feathersRed Valerian (Centranthus ruber)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/centranthus-ruber-coccineaAlchemilla mollishttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/alchemilla-mollisVerbena bonariensishttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-bonariensisVerbena officinalis var. grandiflora 'Bampton'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-officinalis-var-grandiflora-bamptonAubrieta deltoidea 'Cascade Mix'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/aubrieta-deltoidea-cascade-mixLychnis coronaria (Rose campion)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/lychnis-coronariaGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Following on from last week’s wintry themed episode on containers, this week we’re setting our sights on the summer ahead, on what’ll bring colour to your pots at the season’s peak.Josie’s absolute burning passion is containers, and this week she gives her plant picks for pots taking us through summer and autumn.Join us on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ as we delve into the ‘thriller, filler, pillar, spiller’ method for arranging containers, which combinations have stood out in their trials, and how to gently treat your flowers for maximum impact.In this episode, discover:The “thriller, filler, pillar, spiller” secret to building showstopping containers that brim with colour and texture right through summer to autumnSarah and Josie’s favourite plants that promise to lift your pots from simple to spectacularHow to keep blooms coming with gentle, tried-and-true maintenance tips, from deadheading tricks to overwintering Plant pairings and playful combinations, perfect for either grand displays or tiny terracesProducts mentioned:Pelargonium 'Designer White' (Zonal)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-designer-whiteAbelia x grandiflorahttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/abelia-x-grandifloraThunbergia alata 'African Sunset'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/thunbergia-african-sunsetIpomoea lobatahttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/ipomoea-lobata-mina-lobataSalvia 'Peach Melba'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salvia-peach-melbaNemesia 'Lady Ruby'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/nemesia-lady-rubyGet in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

The garden’s magic needn’t be seasonal - containers can be the heroes of hue in even the coldest months.It’s time to assemble your winter containers ready to keep the scent and colour peaking, carrying us through till spring, with 12 inspiring varieties from Sarah and our Head Gardener, Josie Lewis.Join them on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ for a plethora of plants perfect for containers of any size, and how to keep them all looking their very best.In this episode, discover:Which container plants will keep your garden brimming with colour, texture, and even scent through the quiet months of winter and into springHow to outsmart common pests like vine weevil, and pick up clever, low-fuss tips for keeping containers healthy and happyInspiration for staging and arranging winter pots, transforming even a small balcony or windowsill into a cheerful displayProducts mentioned:Helleborus x glandorfensis 'Ice N' Roses Red'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-x-glandorfensisHelleborus orientalis 'Pretty Ellen Red'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/helleborus-pretty-ellen-redViola cornuta 'Tiger Eye Red' F1https://www.sarahraven.com/products/viola-cornuta-tiger-eye-red-f1Pelargonium 'Designer White' (Zonal)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pelargonium-designer-whiteHeuchera sanguinea 'Leuchtkafer'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/heuchera-sanguinea-leuchtkaferSarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/sarcococca-hookeriana-winter-gemNarcissus 'Moonlight Sensation'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-moonlight-sensationDutch Yard Narcissus Collectionhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/dutch-yard-narcissus-collectionWallflower 'Fire King'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wallflower-fire-kingPittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pittosporum-tenuifolium-bannow-bayFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Whatever your garden’s size, picking plants with the right size and shape can be just as important for impact as their colour and scent.Tom Stimpson returns to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ this week as we uncover the plants that form the backbone of beauty, function and vibrance all year round.You’ll hear hardy varieties, plants for both the garden and the kitchen, and inspiration as to where you should sow each flower for maximum impact.In this episode, discover:How to choose and incorporate shrubs and trees that provide essential structure and year-round appeal to your gardenPractical tips for caring for favorites like hydrangea, abelia, acer, olive, and more, even in small spaces and potsInspiring stories and ideas to turn plant selection and garden challenges into creative opportunitiesHow to tackle common issues like box blight, and expert alternatives to keep your garden thriving and beautifulProducts mentioned:Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Fresco'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-little-frescoHydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' AGMhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-limelightAbelia x grandiflorahttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/abelia-x-grandifloraCornus kousa 'Norman Haddenhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/cornus-kousa-norman-haddenFig 'Little Miss Figgy' (Ficus carica)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/fig-little-miss-figgyFig 'Brown Turkey' (Ficus carica)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/fig-brown-turkeyMahonia 'Volcano'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mahonia-volcanoPyracantha coccinea 'Red Star'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/pyracantha-coccinea-red-starFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

It’s the run-in to Christmas, so if you’re thin on decorations and want to think more sustainably about dazzling your guests this year, turn to the garden and start drying flowers now.In the first of many ‘12 Best’ episodes over the coming months, Tom Stimpson joins us as he and Sarah talk through the best flowers for stunning dried arrangements, and top tips to maintain their unique texture and colour throughout the season.In this episode, discover:Creative, sustainable ways to use dried flowers and foliage for beautiful homegrown Christmas decorationsTried-and-tested techniques for drying and preserving everything from hydrangeas and dahlias to autumn leaves and poppy seed headsExpert tips for maintaining colour, texture, and longevity in your dried arrangementsInspiring ideas for DIY festive crafts that bring your garden’s magic indoorsProducts mentioned:Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Fresco'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-little-frescoHydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' AGMhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/hydrangea-paniculata-limelightLunaria annuahttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/lunaria-annuaAllium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-hollandicum-purple-sensationAllium schubertiihttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-schubertiiAllium cristophiihttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-cristophiiClimbing French Bean 'Monte Gusto'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/french-bean-monte-gustoRunner Bean 'Black Knight'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/runner-bean-black-knightFig 'Little Miss Figgy' (Ficus carica)https://www.sarahraven.com/products/fig-little-miss-figgyChasmanthium latifoliumhttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/chasmanthium-latifoliumPapaver somniferum 'Black Beauty'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/papaver-somniferum-black-beautyAmaranthus hypochondriacus 'Pygmy Torch'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/amaranthus-hypochondriacus-pygmy-torchFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Violas and pansies are among the more overlooked flower families, an outlook that Brenna Estrada’s new book hopes to change for the better.She’s embraced their beauty as cut flowers throughout her gardening journey with Three Brothers Blooms, and in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ she shares her tips for newcomers to bring their violas and pansies to life, whether in the garden or as part of stunning arrangements.In this episode, discover:The enchanting world of pansies and violas, and how they can transform from humble bedding plants into show-stopping cut flowers Brenna’s top tips for growing, harvesting, and pressing pansies, plus how to get the longest, most fragrant stems Behind the scenes of Brenna’s one-of-a-kind flower book, sharing these overlooked floral treasures with the worldOrder Brenna’s book - ‘Pansies’:https://threebrothersblooms.com/pansies-book/Viola cornuta 'Tiger Eye Red' F1https://www.sarahraven.com/products/viola-cornuta-tiger-eye-red-f1Black BeautyBlack PrinceFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

As anyone in an area surrounded by larger animals might know, we’re entering a season where it’s harder to keep them at bay, and protect your handiwork from hungry mammals.Sarah and Josie have been hard at work finding what’s most effective for keeping deer away, and in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’, share their best advice on how you can fend off any unwanted visits from large mammals.In this episode, discover:Creative and practical ways to deter deer from your gardenWhich plants deer love to munch on, and the ones they tend to leave aloneHow drought, changing seasons, and garden design can influence deer behaviourProducts mentioned:Phlox drummondii grandiflora 'Creme Brulee'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/phlox-drummondii-creme-bruleeChard 'Bright Lights'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chard-bright-lightsKale 'Redbor' F1https://www.sarahraven.com/products/kale-redbor-f1Chicory 'Variegato di Castelfranco'https://www.sarahraven.com/products/chicory-variegato-di-castelfrancoVerbena bonariensishttps://www.sarahraven.com/products/verbena-bonariensisFollow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/Get in touch: info@sarahraven.comShop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeuFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest