Petersfield Physic Garden – an insight into 17th century life


In 1950, after a career in the Indian army, Major John Bowen and his family moved to the East Hampshire market town of Petersfield. Their house in the High Street had a smallish garden and with three growing sons more space was needed so when the opportunity arose in 1956, he purchased the old walled garden to the rear of 16 High Street and the family enjoyed this “secret garden” for many years.


The garden is not large, about a third of an acre and is divided into several different sections


The garden was formally opened in May 1990, managed and maintained by The Friends of Petersfield Physic Garden


In fact this was the last identifiable burgage plot in the town, relating back to the 12th century when the town was established. By the mid 80s the children had grown up and moved away and John decided to give the garden to the people of Petersfield“…to promote the education of the public on matters connected with the arts and sciences of garden land…”.


The garden was taken over by Hampshire Gardens Trust who suggested to John (and he agreed) that the garden should be laid out as a 17th century physic garden in memory of the town`s most famous residents of the period, the botanist John Goodyer and the horticulturist John Wortlidge.


The garden was formally opened in May 1990, managed and maintained by The Friends of Petersfield Physic Garden. A visitor centre was built on the site in 1995.


The garden is not large, about a third of an acre and is divided into several different sections. At the entrance is a small knot garden followed by a short topiary walk, incorporating formal hedges and trees. This leads to an orchard comprising several varieties of old apple trees, such as “Devonshire Quarrendon”, a medlar plus other fruit and nut trees. In early spring this area is underplanted with snowdrops, daffodils, fritillary and other bulbs.


The orchard is separated from the herb beds by a rose bower covered with sweetbriar, musk roses and jasmine. Either side are beds of species roses set within a holly hedge to one side and a mixed hedge of Phyllyrea and Osmanthus on the other.


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This leads to the herb garden, laid out in the geometrical style of the 17th century with narrow beds bordered by brick paviours and with shaped bay trees at each corner. There are about 80 different types of herbs ranging from Agrimony to Yarrow with popular varieties such as chicory, lady`s mantle and marigold etc., to less well known plants like alkanet, milk thistle and woad. All the herbs are labelled with their common names but a small booklet is available (price 50p) giving further details.


Beds against the east and west walls are planted with a selection of perennials and shrubs that would have been grown in 17th century gardens together with a small vegetable plot.


The garden is open every day, except Christmas Day, admission is free, paths are wheelchair friendly and there are plenty of seats for those who wish to dally.


Through the archway Country Gardener


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