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Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (Weymouth, England)

After seeing a string of English-style gardens, Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens provided a welcome change of pace. Located in a sheltered woodland on the Jurassic Coast, this 30-acre garden is filled with rare semi-tropical plants.   As we entered, we were greeted by this little guy (a golden pheasant) - The entry area included a restaurant with a wrap-around porch and a gift shop - Entering the main gardens - This hill was quite a trek - I was out of breath when I reached the top. Once there, you get an overlook with a view of the ocean - This property was once home to a castle that was once a monastery. This is how it looked in 1890 - The gardens were developed by the Fox-Strangways family. Most notably, William Fox-Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester, was a diplomat and botanist, who introduced many exotic species to the garden. The genus Photinia stranvaesia was named after him.  In 1899, Lady Ilchester printed a catalog which documented over 5,000 plants in the garden....
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Stepping Into May

Rhododendron 'Klondyke' and Geranium maculatum


May is already here and the garden suddenly explodes with growth. We spent the weekend watering (already?) because there hasn't been significant rainfall in a while. We don't have a sprinkler system so it is all manpower, dragging hoses and sprinklers. It takes two days - one for the back and one for the front - to water everything. It is possible to get it all in one day if we start really early.

The rhododendrons are beginning now -

'Mandarin Lights'


'Jean Marie De Montague'


'Percy Wiseman' - beautiful but suffers from lacebug. I'm considering replacing it or maybe I will try and treat it.


A favorite right now is the Chilean Potato Vine (Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'). This plant is hardier than you might imagine. Some sources list it as a "9", others an "8".  It is going on its third year in our garden, having been moved once. It is sheltered somewhat by a fence but it is on the east side of the house. It gets sunlight until around 1pm and shade the remainder of the day. I love this color, it is probably my favorite. 

Chilean Potato Vine (Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin').
The flowers you see are actually cascading down from the top. The vine is actually planted on the opposite side of the fence. 





Some perennials are just getting started - 

Geum 'Starker's Magnificent'


Geum 'Mango Lassie'


Lydia Broom (Genista Lydia)

Creeping Gold Wallflower (Erysimum kotschyanum)


And some foliage interest - first, Clematis recta which I've wanted ever since seeing it in Laura Scott's garden. I finally had to mail-order it through Brushwood Nursery in Athens, Georgia. It has really shot up and is looking great.



Picea abies 'Pusch'



Epimedium


Barberry 'Aurea Nana'


Euphorbia 'Blackbird'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonMay 5, 2025 at 9:28 AM

    I love all the golden color tones in your spring garden, Phillip. I can't imagine watering everything by hand. Virtually every home in my area has some kind of irrigation system but then that reflects the pronounced difference between our climates.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMay 5, 2025 at 10:14 AM

      Most people have them here too. There used to be a system here (we still have the sprinkler heads in the ground) but I can't remember if we just didn't know how to use it or because it no longer worked. I think it was the latter. It would be difficult to water our garden with a low sprayer head. There is just too much in the way!

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  2. Linda's Relaxing LairMay 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM

    Beautiful photos. Warm greetings from Montreal ❤️ Canada 🇨🇦

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  3. tz_gardenMay 15, 2025 at 8:11 AM

    I feel your pain, I hand water as well. Or rely on sprinklers to save time. Your garden is really the epitome of May loveliness! The clematis foliage color is striking.

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