About Stephen Griffith
I have been the Horticultural manager/Curator for Abbotsbury SubTropical Gardens since taking over after massive storm damage back in 1990. The gardens trustees wanted a fresh new 10 year development plan to revive this historic yet overgrown and neglected garden, to improve the plant content, infrastructure, interpretation and tourism aspects – Prior to Abbotsbury I have been designing and restoring landscapes and gardens in diverse places such as Saudi Arabia, South of France, Sark C.I, Cotswolds and the New Forest. I also lead garden tours world wide, write articles and the odd book. Professional bodies – I am a member of the RHS woody plant committee, M.I Hort, International Camellia Society.
High Summer in the garden
People often ask me why is Abbotsbury so successful at growing half hardy plants outside all year round without a roof like the Eden Project down in Cornwall. Well, there is a sort of roof. We have hundreds of Holm Oak trees, Quercus ilex. They are evergreen and retain their leaves…
A touch of the Mediterranean
With summer temperatures rising, crops ripening and the herbaceous borders blooming, for once I got it wrong this year for booking a holiday in sunny Greece when it has been 30 C back here !! But to paint the scene, at 6 am every morning the owner of our rented…
A Painters Palette of Color
Its the most busy time in the gardens right now with new bedding plants and perennials coming out from the glasshouse, tender sub-tropical plants being integrated into the borders and newly sourced rare plants finding a new home. Planting time is not just about finding a gap and planting. I…
A chilly start
It's been a long wait this year but at last we have Rhododendrons, Magnolias and Camellias in full flower now. I feel we are behind two weeks on last year. With so many plants being held back with the cool temperatures there is going to be a super color burst in May.…