Rachael Ray uses long-lasting perennials, full borders, and blooming buds to create a vibrant garden that will impress into fall
The chef's garden is a masterclass in planting that, experts say, will 'live through the changing seasons' – and it's so easy to recreate


Everyone knows Rachael Ray can cook, but did you know that she's just as talented in the garden as in the kitchen? The famous chef took to Instagram to share photos of her summer blooms. They're a sight to behold.
Ray's garden idea is a vision in red and purple. The vibrant green space features a patch of grass edged by sprouting red and pink bushes. A pathway of alternatively square and rectangular stones creates the perfect place for walking throughout the yard. The flower beds feature bursts of salvia, black-eyed susans, and poppies. It perfectly frames the gorgeous landspace of towering trees and mountains surrounding the chef's home.
Thom Rutter, master gardener and content editor at Homes & Gardens, explains what makes Ray's garden so special. He states: 'As gardeners, we all want full borders and beds, packed with beautiful blooms that last long into the fall. As Rachael Ray shows, this can be done by cleverly using some of the best perennials and shrubs, ensuring that you maintain interest for as long as possible.'
A post shared by Rachael Ray (@rachaelray)
A photo posted by on
Options are limitless, but some plants are better choices than others. Rutter states: 'There are many plants to choose from that can fit this brief, but opting for perennials like native rudbeckia (commonly known as black-eyed Susan) or coneflowers is a good idea. Another option is learning how to grow salvias, which are one of my favorite perennials.'
Salvias are a diverse group of plants, so considering your garden color scheme can go a long way in recreating Ray's look. 'There are many different varieties available, ranging in color from yellow to red, pink to purple (as Rachael Ray shows), so you are sure to find a plant to suit your tastes,' says Rutter.
He continues: 'Salvias are native to the Mediterranean, so thrive in sunny spots. Be sure to water, feed and deadhead throughout the summer months, which will help to keep your borders in top shape late into the season.'
Rutter concludes: 'So, if you are looking for flower bed ideas this year, try incorporating some of these long-flowering options that will keep your yard interesting, impactful, and full of color.'
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Shop The Look
Bringing your own take on perrenials into the garden is an easy way to recreate Rachel Ray's space. To keep a similar, contrasting style we love the combination of purple salvias and yellow black eyed susans. Flowers from Walmart are high quality at an accessible price point.
If you are hoping to replicate a similar look in your fall garden, focus first on the heights of the plants. Part of what makes Ray's garden so charming is the variation in height across the garden. From the low, circular shrubs, to the fluffy, reaching salvia, to the towering deciduous trees on the edge of the property, the contrast between the different plants creates a bold, cohesive atmosphere in the outdoor space. Start with the shortest plant you want to include, and work your way up. What will you choose as your short, mid-height, and tallest perennials?
Rachel Ray's garden is a sight to behold, and its beauty will extend long beyond the summer.

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.
In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.
Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.
-
How to grow ixora in pots – for a low-maintenance flowering patio plant that can handle summer heat
Growing this tough shrub in pots is a great idea if you have a compact yard
-
Tim Burton's British countryside home is made for gardeners – it's selling for approximately $6.1 million
The filmmaker's Oxfordshire home is a Grade II Georgian property that features eight bedrooms, lush gardens, and views of the River Thames
-
Kelly Reilly's modern cottage garden is trailblazing the 'maximalist borders' trend that will be huge in 2025 – here's how to recreate her joyous planting
The hottest garden trends of the year ahead manifest in the Yellowstone actress's yard – indicating a turn towards perennials and maximalism
-
NFL's Jason and Kylie Kelce top their 'perennial favorite' kitchen feature with this luxurious material
Style meets durability in the Philadelphia Eagles star's kitchen – and his design choices are eternally on-trend
-
Barefoot Contessa star Ina Garten's low-effort winter garden is a cold-weather wonderland thanks to this unsung hero
In the winter, when herbaceous perennials disappear underground and deciduous plants shed their leaves, evergreens come to the fore