“I remember when Sarah first got in touch years ago to invite me to Perch Hill to teach. I was absolutely mind blown that someone at the forefront of cut flower growing would ask! I’d known of Sarah and the brand for years but never expected what I then thought of as separate industries to collide, but over the years have cherished the grower/florist relationships and how much they are developing in the floristry industry. There is no other brand that screams quality and indulgence and it’s always a highlight when the catalogue is posted through the letterbox and I can leaf through the pages marking all my favourites!”
YOUR GARDEN STORIES WITH
Anna Potter
HOW DID YOU FIRST MEET SARAH?
We first met around 5 years ago at Perch Hill when I was invited by Sarah to do a demonstration. It was absolutely breathtaking to wake up and gather flowers from the garden there with the sunrise and early morning mists. It felt like a dream!
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO GARDENING, AND WHEN?
My Nana was the first gardening influence I can remember. She would grow all kinds of roses in the garden I grew up in. I’d pluck them and pulp them and experiment. I’d bury dead birds amongst them and still she never complained! I think my curiosity was nurtured in that garden rather than anything too technical
WHERE DO YOU GARDEN?
At my home garden in Sheffield. It’s a long, narrow garden that feels, once you get down to the end, far enough away to feel removed from the house and in a little haven. I’ve a long border, some unruly grass, a glorious mature amelanchier and a cutting patch tucked away at the far end
WHAT DOES GARDENING DO FOR YOU, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY?
Gardening feels for me like both simultaneously a release and a return home. The physicality of the work enables any pent up frustrations or thoughts to move and shake up and then the connection to nature, the soil and earth brings me back to now, to my body and to a deeper place. The cycles of the seasons, of growth, full bloom and decay are a constant reminder of how precious and fleeting life is- a humbling perspective of feeling small but also one with nature and a part of the whole
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE X 3 DESERT ISLAND PLANTS - WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
An interesting shrub for foliage like physocarpus - a statement bloom (a tulip or a Dahlia) and dainty dancer- perhaps something with bends and curves like a snakes head fritillary
WHAT IS THE GARDENING/FLORISTRY TOOL YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT, AND WHY?
Always a strong, decent pair or snips… in my bag at all times incase of emergency foraging situations
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