Sandhill Farm House has been the home of garden designer and Rosemary Alexander since June 2000. Originally built in 1680 as a simple farmhouse, Sandhill Farm House has only had two main owners over the past four decades. Sandhill Farm House is located on a one-acre plot and the previous owner had been a keen and knowledgeable gardener. Rosemary altered both the front and rear gardens, creating a series of smaller garden rooms, each with its own individual planting. Creating structure to ensure year-round interest has been a key component of revitalising the garden. The soil is thin and sandy with a fairly neutral pH. As a result most plants need regular feeding to help them thrive.
In the woodland garden (Rosemary’s favourite part), visitors will enjoy fine specimen trees including Betula jacquemontii, Amelanchier, Heptacodium miconioides and Magnolia ‘Galaxy’, shrubs, over 30 different types of ferns and early flowering bulbs in the stumpery. The highlights in February will be the stunning displays of Galanthus as well as the coloured stems of Cornus and Corylus Javellana and winter flowering Hamamelis in this area as well as the snowdrops around the forecourt.
Photo Credit: Rosemary Alexander and Anna Omioteck
Other areas of interest include the main ‘motorway’ path, the paved terrace, the rear garden, summer borders, kitchen garden and grasses border. Throughout one gains a real understanding of the role that structure plays and the potential created through herbaceous planting, hedges, roses and other climbers.
Photo Credit: Rosemary Alexander and Anna Omioteck
Prior to acquiring Sandhill Farm House, Rosemary Alexander had previously been a tenant for 12 years of the 15 acre National Trust property at Stoneacre, Otham, Kent. She saw Sandhill Farm House as an opportunity to downsize and wanted a garden that could easily be managed with about two days maintenance per week. Born and brought up in Scotland, Rosemary Alexander trained as a landscape architect. She was the first woman to be elected to the Society of Garden Designers and has now been made a life member. In 2023 The English Gardening School celebrated 40 years since Rosemary opened at the Chelsea Physic Garden. In 2011 she was awarded the Gold Veitch Memorial Medal by the RHS in recognition of services given in the advancement of the science and practice of horticulture. She is the author of several books including the 3rd edition of The Essential Garden Design Workbook(Timber Press) and The English Gardening School’s distance learning courses which can be studied anywhere in the world.
SGT Members: £18pp
Guests: £20pp
Includes tea, coffee and homemade biscuits.