The Secret Garden to Become the New Winter Heather Garden in Foggy Bottom. Volunteers Wanted!
An ambitious plan is being put in place to get a major project achieved this spring in Adrian Bloom’s garden, Foggy Bottom here at Bressingham.
In the 1970’s, Adrian was instrumental in popularising conifers and heathers which were such a feature in Foggy Bottom and many people’s gardens. In recent years heathers in particular have gone out of ‘fashion’.
Adrian believes they still have a place in the garden . They are relatively trouble free, give weeks of flowers from February to April, and are beloved by bees. Some of the original heathers planted 50 years ago are still performing well. Now Adrian wants to make a feature in an area largely hidden from public view until now. Known by him and the gardeners as ‘The Secret Garden’. So secret, that no visitors realised it was there!
Since the gardeners at Bressingham have been on furlough and when at work primarily manage the maintenance of the 17 acre Bressingham Gardens, it would have been unlikely that this project could happen this year. The ‘ambitious plan‘ therefore would hopefully appeal to professional and trainee gardeners in Norfolk and Suffolk. They would work together as a team for a few hours a week (Saturday mornings) on a voluntary basis, to get this presently static project prepared, planted and completed. This would offer an opportunity for gardeners to work with owner and gardener Adrian Bloom, and others…and be part of an exciting transformational project, as well as adding to their experience.
HERE IS THE PLAN…
WHEN? Starting Saturday March 20th (provisional date) at 9 am to finish at 12.30 pm
Depending on numbers involved, it is expected to take 3/5 weekly sessions to complete.
WHERE? Foggy Bottom Garden, Bressingham, Norfolk
WORK INVOLVED? Digging out a few trees, shrubs and perennials, adding composted bark, preparing areas for planting. Lifting 3 year old clumps of heathers and planting as laid out by Adrian. Moving and planting some conifers, planting snowdrops, and finally mulching with pine bark.
Please note: most of this will be hand work (and possibly hard work!) If you have, please provide your own tools (spade and fork initially).
IN RETURN? A CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANTS! For those who volunteer, Adrian will give a guided tour of the gardens in July/August and another in late Sept/October.
If this is of interest please contact Josh Tye joshtye@hotmail.co.uk Horticulturist at Bressingham Gardens and assistant to Adrian Bloom for this project. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND INTEREST IN GARDENING when contacting Josh.