episode 175 | show notes & advice
episode description
The careful composition of colour is a particularly joyful part of designing any garden, and choosing the right combination of palettes is among Sarah’s gardening pillars.
Whether you’re a new listener to ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ or simply need a refresher, this episode is a fantastic foray into Sarah’s four palettes, and how best to combine the standout flowers from each.
In this episode, discover
- What first drew Sarah’s eye to the dark and rich palette in planting her ‘rebellious’ Oust Garden
- The qualities that make the ‘boiled sweet’ palette such a joyful injection of colour in even the smallest of spaces
- A generous selection of favourites from each palette which complement each other beautifully
links and references
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Pots
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Veg
Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook | Sarah Raven
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website
Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Episode 175 advice sheet
The dark and rich palette (2:45)
As the first palette to take shape in the Oast Garden, these colours are the ones which suck up the light. They’re classy, velvety and strong, so placing them correctly in the garden is crucial.
The soft and cool palette (5:15)
Also referred to as the Champs Elysees palette, these are the freshest of colours with a crisp and clean feeling. One of the best parts of this palette is the way that the flowers merge seamlessly with the countryside in the morning light.
The boiled sweet palette (6:50)
This palette is a joyful collection which, if used carefully, are the vibrant pick-me-up that one might need on their doorstep for the perfect start and end to a daily commute. They’re a sharp, bright and punchy palette which, if blue is included, are also like a beautiful stained glass window.
The soft and warm palette (8:15)
Sarah is particularly fond of this trendy palette right now - they’re like a comforting woollen blanket, almost like a selection of cashmere jerseys. The white in them brings levity to any garden, and they’re a delight to be surrounded by.
How to use each palette, and combine them (9:30)
Every palette has its place, whether it’s using boiled sweet plants to lift your mood, or dark and rich to create depth and texture in a backlit spot.
Sarah shares not only where each palette belongs best, but some ideas for combining palettes - for example, a scattering of boiled sweets among the dark and rich can prevent it looking too serious.
There are, of course, so many variations within the palettes themselves, so think about the many varieties that one can combine to marry together the best of each palette.
