Garden Pictures

Three generations with a passion for plants

Alan Bloom (1906-2005) was one of the great British plantsmen of the twentieth century. A gardener from the age of 16, he bought Bressingham Hall, Norfolk in 1946 and founded a world-renowned gardening dynasty that today spans three generations. The development of Blooms Nurseries Ltd. during the 1950s saw many award-winning new perennial plant introductions into the UK. In 1955, Alan started work on the Dell Garden which today features 47 island beds, planted with over 5000 different plants.

A new variety of Bloom

In 1962, Alan Blooms sons, Robert and Adrian, joined their father, adding a retail and mail order business in 1964. By the time Alan passed the reins to his sons in 1970, Blooms of Bressingham® was a well-established gardening name with well-known plant introductions to their credit and many Gold Medals for garden exhibits at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show in London. Plants such as Crocosmia 'Lucifer' and Achillea 'Moonshine' were introduced by Blooms and are still among the top sellers today.

In the UK, Blooms of Bressingham Plant Centres continue to grow and modernize. Although the plant centres are no longer owned by the Blooms family, Adrian Bloom still retains links with the new business.

Trend-setting garden design

Adrian's name soon became associated with yet another new style of gardening, reflecting his interest in conifer and heather gardens. His garden at Foggy Bottom, adjacent to the Dell Gardens is famous for all-year round color and interest. It is regularly featured on television and in magazines worldwide. Adrian is continually innovating and has recently completed a new garden named Adrian’s Wood, which lies between the Dell and Foggy Bottom gardens, expanding The Bressingham Gardens to 17 acres with more thank 8,000 plants. With Adrian's sons, the third generation of Blooms retains its involvement in the business of creating and growing plants through Blooms Nurseries Ltd.

Inspiration and Innovation

Beyond their plant introductions, Alan and Adrian Bloom have inspired gardeners with innovative ideas. Alan’s experimentation with island beds pioneered a new style of gardening with perennials that opened the way for their widespread popularity today.

One of Adrian’s passions has always been to promote the wider use of plants, particularly perennials and plants for year-round color in small homeowner’s gardens. In 1975 he developed the front garden makeover concept in the UK, planting the gardens in a single day. He carried this concept to North America in 1997 and over a few years planted six front yard gardens at private homes.

Beginning in 2000, Adrian’s focus shifted toward designing demonstration gardens to continue fulfillment of another of his passions:  to inspire gardeners and get more people switched on to gardening on a broader scale. He began designing large gardens in public venues, working alongside a community of volunteers – gardeners and professionals – planting destination gardens that are open for all to enjoy and be inspired.

A wonderful day out

The Bressingham Gardens, which include the Dell Garden, Foggy Bottom and Adrian’s Wood are open to the public and are adjacent to the original Blooms of Bressingham Plant Centre at Bressingham. Bressingham Hall, once home to Alan Bloom, is now a comfortable Bed & Breakfast acoomadation and guests are free to wander The Bressingham Gardens at their leisure.

Also in the same location is Alan Bloom's magnificent collection of Steam Engines, the second largest collection in Europe. The 11 kilometres of working railway provide a choice of rides and there's even a steam-driven roundabout. A Dad's Army collection has been launched with a trip down memory lane to the famous Warmington On Sea. Together, the 5 attractions make a wonderful day out for all the family.