Perch Hill Dahlia and Tulip Workshop with Sarah Raven and Josie Lewis

This time of year is the best time to see the dahlias here at Perch Hill, we will have the maximum number of dahlias to look at and plenty to harvest - with the garden still stacked with salvias, tender perennials and even roses joining them for a flower-filled Perch Hill garden moment.

It is also the best moment to plan and plant spring-flowering bulbs in your garden, so we'll cover how to design and plant the best tulip, narcissi, iris, etc, bulb lasagnes right now too.

Itinerary

Arrival from 10am for a 10:30am start - Coffee/tea and home-made biscuits served from 10:00am in the glasshouse.

Session 1: 10:30am - 11:30am

Meet Sarah and Josie -

General discussion and slide show in the barn about dahlias and how / what we're breeding here and with our growers in Holland - with lots picked for you to see as many as possible in the flesh (as well as growing in the garden!)

11:30am - 11:45am - Coffee/tea/tisane and homemade cake

Session 2: 11:45am - 1pm

Demo 1 - Bulb lasagnes. Why, how and what to plant for the very best, longest performing pots for your spring garden and borders. Whether it's tulips, iris, narcissi or camassias, we'll feedback all the results of our trials on the best way to plant them - and what's the best system for keeping.

1pm - 2pm - Simple 2 course lunch served in the greenhouse, using recipes from Sarah's cookbooks and produce from the garden (wherever we can). This is served with home-made cordial. Please contact events_srcg@thecuttinggarden.com if you have any special dietary requirements.

Session 3: 2pm - 2:30pm/3pm

Demo 2 - After lunch, Sarah will demo how to create a hand-tied bunch of flowers. You'll then head off into the garden to pick flowers and create a bunch of your own to take home.

3pm - 3:30pm - The Perch Hill shop will be open and you are welcome to wander some more in the garden too.

Directions to Perch Hill

From the M25Turn off the M25 (junction 5) onto the A21 for Sevenoaks / Hastings, heading south. In good traffic conditions, the journey from this junction to Perch Hill Farm will take approximately one hour. Bypass Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Pembury and continue on the A21 to Hurst Green. Turn right on the A265, signposted to Lewes. Go through Etchingham and continue to Burwash. Turn left by the church in Burwash follow this road down for 3 miles until you get to the crossroads at the top of the hill. Turn right into Willingford Lane (signposted Burwash Weald). Perch Hill Farm is on your right about ½ mile from the crossroads. Follow signs for Car Parking.

From a southerly directionIf you are approaching us from the direction of the coast via Battle take the B2096 Battle to Heathfield road. Go through Netherfield and on to Woods Corner. At The Swan Inn, on your left, turn right (signposted to Brightling) and follow the road for about ¾ mile, take the first left and go up the hill and turn first left into Willingford Lane. Follow the road down into the valley about ½ mile from the crossroads you will see Perch Hill Farm on your right. Follow signs for Car Parking.

From a westerly directionIf you’re coming in from the direction of Heathfield on the A265 travel through the town, up the hill and straight across the traffic lights, take the next right hand turn signposted to Battle (B2096). Continue through Punnett’s Town, Three Cups and on to Woods Corner. You will pass on the left a raised pathway and village post office just before a staggered crossroads with The Swan Inn on the opposite side. Turn left here and follow the road for about three-quarters of a mile, take the first left and go up the hill and turn first left into Willingford Lane. Follow the road down into the valley about ½ mile from the crossroads you will see Perch Hill Farm on your right. Follow signs for Car Parking.

Cancellations and refunds

If you are unable to attend a course/event you have booked and paid for:A friend or family member is welcome to attend in your place. You will need to provide us with their name, dietary requirements and contact email address/phone number as soon as possible prior to the course/event date.

If we receive 8 weeks notice or more:Sarah Raven's Cutting Garden Ltd will refund the full cost of your course/event.

If we receive more than 4 weeks notice:Sarah Raven's Cutting Garden Ltd will transfer you to another suitable course/event of the same value. In this instance this must be a straight swap onto another course we have availability on within the same season. I,e no more than 6 weeks from the original course date booked. Furthermore, we are unable to carry course credits over to the following calendar year. Please note, we cannot issue vouchers to spend on other products at sarahraven.com.

If we receive less than 4 weeks notice:We are unable to offer a refund or transfer as we have inadequate time to re-sell the place. A friend or family member is welcome to attend in your place. If you find you are unable to attend a Course with less than 4 weeks’ notice, please call us so we may advise further. A course/event place purchased as a gift carries the same cancellation policy. The course value cannot be transferred over to use on Sarah Raven products.

If we need to cancel a course/event:Sarah Raven's Cutting Garden Ltd may cancel any course/event due to illness or very low numbers, and you will then have the option of a transfer to another course/event of the same value or a full refund of your payment.

Contacting us

For all enquiries contact events_srcg@thecuttinggarden.com