 The premier plantsman of our time, Graham Stuart Thomas (1909-2003) is today remembered not only for his work with classic shrub roses and his position as Garden Advisor to the British National Trust but also for his fine botanical paintings and drawings. Recipient of the Royal Horticulture Society's Gold Medal for his paintings, Graham Stuart Thomas remarked that his challenge was "to make the flower appear to grow out of the paper." And in the mid 1980's, he fulfilled this challenge magnificently with a series of lithographs offered for sale only through Wayside Gardens.
 Just one thousand lithographs were created of each image in what has become known as the Thomas Limited Edition Prints. Superbly produced on 100% rag, pH-neutral fine art paper, each print measures 12 x 16 inches, with an image area of approximately 8 x 10 inches. They are hand-numbered and, although his health was in decline by the time they were printed, Mr. Thomas personally signed the prints in the separations to ensure that his signature would appear (printed) on each lithograph. As the photo above shows, our former Director of Horticulture John Elsley traveled to Thomas's home in Woking, England, to examine and collect the lithographs - as well as to visit with his distinguished colleague.
Offered to Wayside customers in the late 1980's, the Thomas Limited Edition Prints were very highly sought and in such short supply that we ceased offering them in our catalog. We always hoped that Mr. Thomas might grant us a second series, but upon his death in 2003, only the few unsold prints from the original set remained. We have now decided to make these prints available, while our very limited supplies last, to Wayside customers visiting our website.
Praised for their extraordinary combination of rare artistic talent and profound botanical expertise, the paintings are accurate in detail and exquisite in composition. Graham Stuart Thomas believed that at their best, his paintings offer "the portrayal of one perfect moment in the life of one flower." We think you will agree, and we are honored to offer these collectors' items with affection in memory of the gifted plantsman, garden designer, writer, and artist whose lifework contributed immeasurably to the study and enjoyment of horticulture. |
