A Garden Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Chelsea Physic Garden Deserves Your Attention

Hands up who’s been guilty of this one – walking past something that’s rather special countless times and thinking “I’ll pop in there later, but not today.” Well, I’m raising both hands, because that’s exactly what I’d been doing with Chelsea Physic Garden for far too long.

There’s nothing quite so ridiculous as ignoring a brilliant garden simply because it’s always been there, especially when that particular garden happens to be so VERY good.

What finally got me through those gates on Swan Walk after far too many years, (in truth it’s decades since my last visit) wasn’t by my own initiative (more’s the pity), but a delightful invitation from the legendary Rosemary Alexander to lecture for the day at The English Gardening School on 17th June. And what a treat that turned out to be – not just the exceptional company and learning, but the chance to properly explore once more, what I can confirm really is one of London’s most underrated botanical gems.

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The Formidable Ms Alexander

For those who don’t know Rosemary Alexander VMM(RHS) AIHort FSGD, she’s rather like the Queen Mother of garden design education – beloved, respected, and absolutely knows her stuff. Born and educated in Scotland then trained as a landscape architect, she founded The English Gardening School in 1983 with a brilliantly simple mission: to provide the best possible education in garden design. With alumni including Joe Swift and Substack’s very own Jo Thompson, I’d say she’s rather succeeded.

Rosemary Alexander VMM(RHS) AIHort FSGD

Rosemary’s own garden at Sandhill Farm House in Hampshire has graced the pages of every major gardening magazine worth its salt, and also authored several seminal books, including The Essential Garden Design Workbook, which has become the go-to guide for anyone serious about garden design. What strikes you most about Rosemary is her boundless energy and enthusiasm – qualities that were very much in evidence during our day at the Physic Garden.

Leading the day for their students was B Brooks, the school’s vice president, whose expertise and passion were immediately apparent. Watching the students engage with the material, scribbling notes and asking thoughtful questions, reminded me why good teaching in such settings is so valuable. You can read about plant identification until your eyes water, but there’s nothing quite like standing in front of the actual specimen whilst someone knowledgeable explains its quirks and possibilities.

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Four Acres of Pure Botanical Bliss

Now, let’s talk about the garden itself, because here’s where I need to eat a rather large portion of humble pie. When a public garden is just four acres, compared to the usual dozens – you might not think it’s worth the journey into the middle of London to visit. Well, shame on me for that thought, because those four acres contain more botanical interest than many gardens ten times the size.

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Ready to take a stroll around London’s oldest botanical garden?

The full newsletter reveals why Chelsea Physic Garden should be on every gardener’s must-visit list, plus five summer discoveries perfect for late June:

· My complete guide to the garden’s hidden treasures - from the oldest rock garden in Europe to that record-breaking olive tree ·

· The real story behind Sir Hans Sloane and how the garden handles its complex colonial past

· The Physic Garden Café review - what to order and why the setting matters

· My five garden discoveries this week - from fragrance ice cream vans to controversial tea towels and those £200 grounding boots

· Hampton Court’s final year vs RHS Wentworth Woodhouse - which summer show deserves your time?

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