Groves Nurseries in Bridport Hosting Violet Flower Festival
Join Groves Nurseries in Bridport for the Violet Flower Festival from February 1 to 16, showcasing stunning violets and their history
Bridport, Violet Flower Festival, Groves Nurseries, Flowers, Family Business
The Groves family has a deep connection to violets. Clive and Charlie Groves manage the nursery, while Charlie’s sister, Becky, runs Little Groves.
Their love for violets started in the 1960s. Charles William Groves began collecting them and saved the famous Zambra collection. He even named the first violet he bred after himself.
Now, each family member has a violet named after them. Clive Groves boasts the largest collection of sweet and parma violets in the world.
He earned National Collection status in 2002 and won a silver medal at the Hampton Court Flower Show in 2007. He also received a knighthood from la Confrerie de la Violette in Toulouse, France.
The stunning violets have appeared on shows like Gardeners’ World and Love Your Weekend.
Violets are not just pretty; they were once the third most important commercial flower in the 1890s. They can be eaten raw or crystallized for cakes.
The garden center invites everyone to visit and see the beautiful flowers. You can also learn about their fascinating history.