Hitchin William Ransom Physic Garden
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William Ransom Physic Garden Photos
About William Ransom Physic Garden
Named after William Ransom, this Physic Garden was originally designed by Deirdre Boggon and opened May 20th 1990 by Professor Harold Ellis. It was intended to complement the Perks and Llewellyn chemist shop in Hitchin Museum. Presently though, it doesn’t appear to be bursting with life and is usually best viewed in early spring.
In the centre is this monumental bronze sun dial in the form of a pestle and mortar. The text around the edges of it reads: In memoriam Mr DW ‘Jimmy’ James, late President of the Trust and Dr Douglas Wittet, late Vice-President.
The layout was designed to reflect the history of Hitchin, since it illustrates York stone paths, borders and Victorian benches.
A Yew Hedge encloses the intimate garden further shut off by cast iron gates forged at Henry Isaac’s in St Ippolyts, as well as the two benches.
There are over 100 different species of plant here and these in turn divided into external ailments, internal ailments, household and culinary usage.
Many of the plants represent a past tradition of those grown by chemists and farmers around Hitchin in the 19th century which included: poppies, marigolds, chamomile, aconite and Pasque flower.
William Ransom also purchased more from merchants who imported them from abroad like: Coneflower, Elecampe, Bistort, Podophyllum and Cascara.
There are quite often visitors to this little colourful and scented oasis in town but more important to note is the significance the plants have in the medical and pharmaceutical history of Hitchin.
References
http://www.hitchinhistoricals.org.uk/publications/physic_garden.php