Giant Leaf Sprouts At Dorset Gardens

A plant growing at subtropical gardens in Dorset has amazed staff and visitors - by growing to a massive 11 feet across.

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens sit in a very sheltered valley next to chesil beach and the Jurassic coast between Weymouth and Bridport.

The special micro climate that the garden enjoys can produce unusually large plant and tree specimens such as the Gunnera Manicata (Giant Rhubarab) shown in the picture towering over three young visitors.

The leaves span 3.3m (11ft)  - the average is 2.5m. 

Abbotsbury’s head gardener Stephen Griffith said “The damp cool summer has caused this incredible growth.”

A spokesperson at the RHS Wisley gardens described the Abbotsbury plant as “Something of a monster..”

Find out more about Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens here.