Soggy Menus at Perch Hill

We were given a lovely shared birthday present ...

a visit to Sarah Raven`s open garden day with lunch included.

On Thursday we woke up to torrential rain which continued all morning. We did wonder whether the trip was going to happen.

But we kept thinking positively and set off.

Ten minutes from Sarah Raven`s Perch Hill garden, we had researched the nearest nurseries and paid a visit to 

Rapkyn`s Nursery, 

Street End Lane, Broad Oak, Nr Heathfield TN21 8UB

Here we spent a tantalising hour chatting to the lovely owners Steven and Morag. We chose a fantastic selection of plants with the most expert advice, sheltering in polytunnels for the downpours. There are not many real nurseries left but this one is wonderful. The prices are really good.

From there it was a short drive back to Perch Hill.

We had to sit in the car, dodging rain, before making our way to the garden, where a rather soggy lady greeted us with even soggier menus for lunch.

We made our way through to the barn for a delicious lunch with home-grown produce.

It was still raining.

We didn`t linger for long as the gardens were waiting.

Sarah Raven is well-known for her colour combinations.

Here is a small selection of my many photos.

The dahlias

 

I was rather jealous of the wallflowers. I haven`t done so well this year.

We loved the warm south facing conservatory with more exotic plants.

All the time we were looking round there was blue sky and sunshine. We felt very lucky.

Black eyed Susan

 

A combination of mina lobata and climbing petunias.

And this idea was clever ..... dotted round the garden. 

 

And here I am at the end of the dahlia trial beds. 

 

I grabbed a catalogue and treated myself to two packets of seeds.

 

It will soon be time to think of spring!!