For those who are less familiar with gardens in the south east, Perch Hill is something of a trailblazer. Created by Sarah Raven and Adam Nicolson, it symbolises bold colours, new ideas, all whilst grappling with the difficult sticky clay soil on deepest Sussex. Partly on a slope, it is has not envolved overnight, or even in a few years. Raven had a background in medicine, then took to flower arranging, inspired by her parents knowledge of horticulture and then proceeded, undaunted, to create what is now a thriving business. She also produces an array of books about gardening, cookery and climate. Nicolson brought his gardening heritage from Sissinghurst Castle Garden, the 20th century garden lead in design.

It is something of a journey to find Perch Hill, tucked away down windy back lanes, one has to want to go there. It is so worth the effort, it be-dazzles you, if that is the phrase. You arrive in a meadow, park in a large field, and are greeted by a froth of beauty which is the cut flower garden. In summer it is in all it’s glory, buzzing with bees, orange and red, and tall annuals, all of which inspire one to think it can be done. Perhaps what is less obvious is the monumental effort these gardens take to maintain.

I should know, as my father became an obsessive grower of prize winning delphiniums. In our childhood garden of half an acre of lawn, forest, bramble, rose beds, front and back, mountains of manure were delivered every year. Endless garden duties were a must to keep the show on the road. In clay, chalk and flint soil, on a steep hill, it was a very hard task indeed. Gardening was certainly not always the pleasure it can be. However when times become stressful later in life, it did provide much solace and had the ability to earth and heal the mind. It did so for my father, as much as for myself. Aside from this, one did learn much along the way. How to weed, sow seeds, nurture and take cuttings. Something many do not have in this modern society.

Perch Hill is a monument to annuals and large scale beauty. High hedges surround the flower garden, and for some years there weren’t many roses at all. Roses became a passion for me as I sought to find new answers to tough growing conditions. Contary to everything I was brought up to believe, with much research, and reading of catalogues, it was the old roses that I found that had the tough heritage to survive. They have had very little feed or fuss year after year. Twenty-five years on, the Rugosas, the Pemberton Hybrid Musks, the Fantin Latour and Charles de Mills amongst others, that are still thriving.

If we had the light I would love to try more. Perch Hill is a great example of what annuals can do, the scabious and Ammi Majus are an example to all. In recent years it’s the climate change issues and encouraging the polinators that are a concern. Meadow planting is much easier, more relaxed and Perch does this brilliantly. Bright bold colours from dahlias are another ‘Perch Passion’. It is of course inspired by many famous nearby gardens but is far more daring. After consuming a tea in the barn, the shop lures one to imagine what might be if one bought any number of beautiful objects or ribbons, or vases. Only time will tell what nature will let one do.