Friday 14th February 2014

On a very wet and windy Valentine's morning 7 of us braved the weather to visit Chelsea Physic Garden to see the snowdrops.

The Garden was founded in 1673 by the Society of Apothecaries of London so their apprentices could learn to grow medicinal plants and study their uses.The 4 acre site next to the Thames was ideal,offering easy access to the river at a time when river travel was far easier and quicker than travel by road.This enabled the Apothecaries to go on their celebrated 'herborising' expeditions to collect plants.The site also offered free draining soil and a southerly aspect and the special micro-climate was perfect for many tender species including the largest olive tree grown outdoors in Britain.

The future of the garden was secured in 1712 when Dr Hans Sloane took over the freehold of the garden. He was sympathetic to the Apothecaries(he had studied in the garden in his youth),who were struggling with its upkeep.He granted them a lease on the garden of £5 a year in perpetuity on the condition that it was maintained as a physic garden.Today the garden is still dedicated to promoting education,conservation and scientific research and offers many workshops and courses.

Despite the appalling weather ,the garden was stunning with beautiful pots full of cheering spring bulbs and a marquee of common and rare snowdrops for sale..ranging in price from £3.50 to £60! Peter's mini tour was informative and gave us lots of insight into the garden's history and development.The Daphne and sweet box were beautiful-their scent filling the (very damp!) air.

We had a great lunch in the very inviting cafe and another walk round the snowdrop trail and beds specialising in dyeing plants and medicinal plants before a trip to the shop,coffee and cake and the bus back to Victoria.The train journey back was fun,we were all in good spirits after our visit and lunchtime glass of wine! I,for one will definitely be going back in the springtime..the garden is magical with wonderful trees and structure..I want to see it in the sunshine though! (written by Mandy Murray)

   

)