In March 2024, Round Hill resident James Knowles, his wife Autumn and three friends purchased the beloved century-old Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouse & Garden Center in Lincoln. After major renovations over the winter, the center has reopened to the public.
LoCo Favorites
Favorite place to eat in Loudoun?
My mom's house. No baker can beat her cookies! Outside of that I love the Massaman Curry Chicken at Patama Thai Kitchen in Purcellville. I also recommend everything on the menu at Hamilton Station Gastropub.
Favorite place for a craft beverage?
I don't drink, but if I did it would be Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in the heart of Purcellville. If a Loudoun brewery, distillery or bar holds a trivia night, it’s always worth going. They all have great menus, some with non-alcoholic beverage options as well.
Best hidden gem in Loudoun?
It wouldn't be hidden if I told you! Loudoun is full of talented people and interesting or entertaining things to do. The best to me are the gardens that I've built with my wife. That's my hidden gem.
What's a must-see place for an out-of-town visitor?
Bluemont, a historic little town with several breweries and wineries. I really like the steep half-mile hike to Bears Den Overlook, a rocky outcrop at the top of the mountain just outside of the town. The views and the sunsets are incredible.
Favorite event in Loudoun?
The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Christmas Bird Count. Walking around the county all day long with a small group of friends and bird enthusiasts counting and recording all the species you spot along the way- try to describe a better day than that!
What's a fun fact to share about Loudoun?
That we live in the foothills of the second oldest mountain range in the world. At one point, the Blue Ridge Mountains were also some of the highest mountains in the world. It's a beautiful place, ecologically, thanks to that rich history.
The Eternal Greenhouse
A&S is 100 years old this year. Who founded the original center and what was it called?
The nursery was founded as Hill Top Gardens by E.B. Gregg and his son, Holmes Gregg.
Is the family still around?
Holmes Gregg's daughter Susan still lives in the family home next to the nursery. We have learned so much from her and we couldn't have a better neighbor.
Aside from the greenhouses, how many acres of fields do you cultivate at A&S and what is planted in them?
We are dedicating an arboretum to the Gregg family, where we will continue planting more than 100 native species of trees, shrubs and perennial wildflowers across six acres, through which there will be walking trails accessible to visitors of Abernethy & Spencer.
How old are the original greenhouses – and where are they from?
The earliest documentation we've found is from the Loudoun News of Dec. 16, 1937, stating that "Mr. E. Bentley Gregg is building a new greenhouse at his Hill-Top nursery." This is most likely the small propagation greenhouse connected to the bird house. The greenhouses believed to be from Arlington Experimental Farms were transported to the property in approximately 1942. Susan said her father and grandfather brought them to Hill Top right after Pearl Harbor.
The main greenhouse is the size of a football field – how many plants are in there?
Depending on the time of year, we’re growing thousands of plants at a time. Soon, our giant greenhouse will be dedicated just to production—seed starting and plant propagating—and all of our other greenhouses will feature shoppable spaces for plants.
What are the most rare or unusual species you grow or sell at A&S?
We have more than 100 varieties of trees, more than 200 varieties of shrubs and well over 600 varieties of perennials so you’re bound to find something unusual when you visit! Next year, we will offer almost all of the old heirloom Martha Washington Geraniums. There are more than 100 different varieties and cultivars. Late in 2024, we realized we had a fairly rare succulent tucked away on a table, so we removed it to propagate it and we will return it for sale in an upcoming year. We are introducing a coffee cart to A&S and we actually have a few Arabica coffee plants!
What refreshments can people get at A&S and what is your coffee cart called?
We named the beverage cart Lola after our cockatoo. She is regionally famous and very sociable, always raising her little scaly hand and saying, "Hi!" to people. Lola's Coffee Cart will offer espresso drinks, drip coffee, chai, teas, smoothies, hot chocolate, snacks and more. We will only be using and selling coffee brewed from bird and habitat-friendly bean producers.
How many tropical birds do you have?
Five – three Macaws and two cockatoos. They are in large outdoor cages that allow visitors to see and interact with them.
You have a conservatory gift shop - what is the ideal gift to give a loved one this spring?
A plant, of course! There are no words to describe the connection that plants give us to each other, the world around us and its history. Our new conservatory will feature a great selection of gifts including work from local artisans and gardening books. I always recommend a good pair of hand secateurs. It's hard to garden well without a reliable and sharp pair of pruners on your hip.
Aside from A&S what other wonderful garden centers are there in Loudoun?
There is a great little place in Hamilton called Watermark Woods Native Plants. If there is a native perennial you can't find at A&S, we always recommend checking there. As a side note, having the backing of the local community is a great feeling. Last year I began to help local schools in the county design their horticulture/garden areas. It is one of the community projects I am most looking forward to this year.
