The Colour Guide Mini Series #7: The washed palette - Episode 269 Artwork

grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends

Welcome to grow, cook, eat, arrange, the weekly podcast from gardener, writer, teacher,and cook, Sarah Raven. Over the last two decades, Sarah has led the way by introducing a new kind of productive gardening which places emphasis on intense colour, sophistication, and achievability. Recorded at the beautiful Perch Hill Farm in Sussex, Sarah talks with special guests from across garden design, floristry, food, ecology, conservation, and more. Brimming with top tips and helpful hints, listen and learn how to create your most productive garden ever. You can find out more about the products discussed in each episode or get in touch by visiting the website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

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grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends

The Colour Guide Mini Series #7: The washed palette - Episode 269

April 09, 2026 • Sarah Raven • Episode 269

0:00 | 14:59

There’s something uniquely calming about a garden washed in cool pastels – soft tones that feel like frosty mornings and freshly laundered linen.

Moving us onto the 4th and final palette in Sarah’s colour system, we explore the washed palette in this episode of ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’. She takes you through the colour combinations, productive plant families, and tips for crafting a soothing, contemplative feeling in your garden.

In this episode, discover:

How to use Sarah’s washed colour palette of cool pastels to create a calm, clean and harmonious garden
Which plant families and specific varieties reliably deliver this palette from late winter to autumn
How to plan colour through the year in two‑month blocks, ensuring there’s always something in flower without breaking the palette
Simple design techniques to avoid jarring colour clashes
Why sticking to a coherent palette can make your garden feel both deeply restful and quietly bold

Products mentioned:

Narcissus ‘Polar Hunter’:

sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-polar-hunter

Narcissus ‘Avalanche’:

sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-avalanche

Narcissus ‘Thalia’:

sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-thalia

Narcissus ‘Actaea’:

sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-actaea

Tulip ‘White Triumphator’:

sarahraven.com/products/tulip-white-triumphator

Tulip ‘Purissima’: