<img src="http://blog.theenduringgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/flowers-on-display-512x384.jpeg" height="375" width="500" alt="flowers on display" />
<img src="http://blog.theenduringgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/garden-at-perch-hill-512x384.jpeg" height="375" width="500" alt="garden at perch hill" />
<img src="http://blog.theenduringgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/new-rustic-fencing-512x384.jpeg" height="375" width="500" alt="new rustic fencing" />
<img src="http://blog.theenduringgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tulips-in-border-512x384.jpeg" height="375" width="500" alt="tulips in border" />
<img src="http://blog.theenduringgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tulips-in-dolly-tub-512x384.jpeg" height="375" width="500" alt="tulips in dolly tub" />
<img src="http://blog.theenduringgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/winning-Craig-Sams-512x384.jpeg" height="375" width="500" alt="winning Craig Sams" />
Sarah Raven’s garden at Perch Hill has just held the first in this year’s series of open days. Despite heavy rain the day before, it was only the blowsiest of the tulips that were looking a bit droopy and the overall impression was of a garden that goes from strength to strength as it develops new areas and refines those that already exist. It is a working and productive garden where Sarah trials new varieties and tries out new techniques so there is as much to learn as there is to admire. The barn has been beautifully restored and parts of the old car park have been incorporated into the garden to create a new calm space that contrasts beautifully with the abundant planting elsewhere. This year there are competitions too, so if you fancy entering a trug of vegetables, your finest preserves, or a freshly-baked cake you may even win a prize. Craig Sams, the man behind GroChar, walked away with the 1st prize for his amazing trug of vegetables at the recent event – pretty impressive stuff for April and a testament to the power of GroChar. The next Perch Hill open day is on Saturday May 24th – full details at sarah raven.