About Dale Davis III

Dale Davis is one of the proprietors of Stony Hill Gardens. Along with his wife, Carol, they are the backbone of all that you encounter on your visits here. Since he was a kid growing up in Watseka, Ill., Dale has been interested in cut flowers. His early exposure to agriculture came from his father, who operated a grain elevator. After his family moved to Princeton, N.J., he attended Delaware Valley College and received his bachelor’s degree for Ornamental Horticulture in 1980. He worked throughout college at Starkes, an orchid wholesaler in Pennsylvania. After Starkes closed its doors due to its founder’s passing and an enduring family feud, Dale bought and dismantled three of their greenhouses and transported them via truck to Chester, N.J.

Stony Hill Gardens opened in 1988. An original focus in cut flower orchids has evolved into pot plant production. We currently have five greenhouses in year-round production and 40 acres of land on which hay, grain, corn, apples, cattle and pumpkins are grown.

Dale’s orchids have received numerous awards from the North Jersey Orchid Society, Deep Cut Orchid Show, and the Greater New York Orchid Show. He has been recognized as an Outstanding Conservation Farmer for Accomplishment in the Conservation of Soil, Water and Related Resources and was honored as an Outstanding Young Man of the Year.