Meet Gary Long - Head Gardener at Trewithen
Gary Long has been Head Gardener at Trewithen since January 2004 and is only the third person to take on the role in over 100 years. His predecessor, Michael Taylor, worked at Trewithen for 40 years and, during his time there, was awarded the RHS Waley Medal for the cultivation of rhododendrons and was later elected an Associate of Honour of the Royal Horticultural Society.Gary's interest in gardening began when, as a pupil at Penair School in Truro, he did a week's work experience with John Bassett Landscaping. A summer job with the company followed and then, aged 15, Gary went to work for the National Trust at Trelissick Gardens on a Youth Training Scheme.
In 1993, Gary moved to Tregothnan Botanical Gardens where he achieved the Royal Horticultural Society's General Certificate and the RHS Diploma in Horticulture. He became assistant head gardener at Trewithen in 2002.
In March 2007 Gary travelled to China on a study tour to look at Camellia in their native environment and to see the International camellia species garden in jinhua.
At a time when climate change is causing significantly differing rainfall patterns and warmer temperatures, Gary's principal challenge is to introduce new species of plants that can cope with our changing weather. There are also plans to restore parts of the original 18th century water gardens and to develop a pinetum.
