Graham Stuart Thomas

The Purposeful Perfectionist

April 1, 2003
Today is the anniversary of the death of the horticulturist Graham Stuart Thomas (Books By This Author). He was 94. 

Graham was fundamentally a nurseryman and he lived a life fully immersed in the garden. Graham's passion was sparked at a young age by a special birthday present he was given when he turned six: a beautiful potted fuchsia.

In 2003, Graham's gardening outfit - including his pants, vest, and shoes - as well as a variety of his tools (including plant markers and a watering can) were donated to the Garden Museum.

Graham was best known for his work with garden roses and his leadership of over 100 National Trust gardens. He wrote 19 books on gardening. Ever the purposeful perfectionist, Graham never wasted a moment.

What do folks have to say about Graham on social media? Here’s a sampling:

"Pachysandra ground cover - A GST classic!"

"My mom gave me a Graham Stuart Thomas for my first gardening book, so very special"

"Our best selling plant of 2015? At number 1 (drum roll) - Eryngium Graham Stuart Thomas."

"Flower spike on yucca in border. GST used them as punctuation marks in design."

"Love being married to someone who knows what I mean when I say, 'Bring me Graham Stuart Thomas'"


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#OTD in 2003 Horticulturist Graham Stuart Thomas (Books By This Author) died. He was 94. (3 April 1909 – 17 April 2003). GST was fundamentally a nursery man and he lived a life fully immersed in the garden. His passion was sparked at a young age by a special birthday present he was given when he turned six: a beautiful potted fuchsia. In 2003. his gardening outfit - including his pants, vest and shoes - as well as a variety of his tools (including plant markers and a watering can) were donated to the Garden Museum. GST was best known for his work with garden roses and his leadership of over 100 National Trust gardens. He wrote 19 books on gardening. Ever the purposeful perfectionist, he never wasted a moment. What do folks have to say about GST on social media? Here’s a sampling: Pachysandra ground cover - A GST classic! My mom gave me a Graham Stuart Thomas for my first gardening book, so very special Our best selling plant of 2015? At number 1 (drum roll) - Eryngium Graham Stuart Thomas. Flower spike on yucca in border. GST used them as punctuation marks in design. Love being married to someone who knows what I mean when I say, “Bring me Graham Stuart Thomas"
Graham Thomas and Rosa 'Graham Thomas': British rose hybridizer David Austin named his 1983 introduction Rosa 'Graham Thomas' for one of the leading horticulturalists of the 20th century, the late British horticulturalist, artist and garden writer Graham Thomas (1909 – 2003). Thomas was an enthusiastic collector of Old Roses and a frequent visitor to David Austin’s nursery in Albrighton in the West Midlands region of England.

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1 Comments

  1. Sir Kevin Parr Bart on April 16, 2024 at 8:26 am

    Graham S Thomas said stone statues have no place in a garden.He moved the many that adorned Hidcote gardens .Some i traced into Scottish castles owners linked to Thomas as roses he often gave them . He was to change many of Hidcotes lovely planning to Lawrence .Which to me he was not there as curator do do .

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