A Century in Bloom: Abernethy & Spencer’s Timeless Journey
Written by Shayda Windle | Photos by Shannon Ayres
Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouse and Garden Center, nestled on Lincoln Road in Purcellville, is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. As part of the milestone, the new owners are immersed in extensive renovations, breathing new life into this historic gem.
The story of Abernethy & Spencer begins in the 1920s as a humble plant and vegetable stand owned by E.B. Gregg. Originally named Hill Top Gardens, the business featured a curved eave greenhouse constructed by Lord & Burnam. The Gregg family started their horticultural journey with hotbeds filled with manure from the Charlestown Racetrack. From these beginnings, they nurtured a diverse array of plants, catering to the growing demand for vibrant, flower-filled gardens.
In the 1940s, the business branched out to include cut flowers. Customers could order artistically arranged bouquets in addition to traditional Easter potted plants. Hill Top Gardens quickly grew into a high-volume florist, frequently delivering arrangements to Middleburg and the surrounding areas. In the 1960s, Gregg told the Loudoun-Times Mirror that Hill Top Gardens might have been the last remaining retail greenhouse in the region. With limited retail options, customers traveled from as far as Fairfax to visit.
In 1974, the greenhouse was sold, and the Hill Top Gardens nursery passed through several hands before David Lohman purchased it in 1996. He renamed it Abernethy & Spencer and began restoring the iconic Lord & Burnham greenhouses.
Now, the garden center continues to bloom, preserving its rich history while embracing a new era. Just this year, Jim and Autumn Knowles, Jacob Baker, Hillary Pennington, and Matt Lamberski, a group of friends from Hunt Country, purchased the business.
Almost immediately, the team expanded the parking area, adding 20 new spaces to ensure that customers no longer have to haul trees across the greenhouse grounds. The team has also started renovating the main greenhouse, taking care to preserve the greenhouse’s historic feel. The new space will feature a gift shop, perennial flowers, orchids, and outdoor seating, with plans to host local coffee vendors and food trucks in the future.
The much-adored Abernethy & Spencer parrots, once housed in the main greenhouse, have been relocated to larger outdoor cages, allowing them more room to spread their wings and enjoy the fresh air. Bird lovers can still visit the team’s rescues: Romeo, Juliet, Lola, Sunshine, Norman, and Maxi.
In addition to the greenhouse upgrades, the team has leased an additional 6 acres of land for conservation purposes. Their vision is to build an arboretum-style, half-mile nature trail where visitors can learn about local flora and fauna like native wildflowers and butterflies. As new co-owner Jim Knowles enthusiastically puts it, “Where else can you go and grab a cup of coffee while taking a nature hike?” Horticulturists will be invited to speak on topics related to the natural environment and plants that thrive in Hunt Country and beyond.
The new owners still plan to keep the 13 hoop houses which offer perennials, flowers, and shrubs, while the greenhouses will allow for year-round propagation. Even with new ownership and planned updates, Abernethy & Spencer has not lost sight of its original mission of specializing in organic, USDA zone-appropriate flowers, shrubs, and trees, preserving its rich history but also cultivating a bright future for the community. ML
Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouse and Garden Center
18035 Lincoln Road
Purcellville, VA 20132
abernethyspencer.com
Published in the September 2024 issue of Middleburg Life.