Gardens Inspire Community Celebration

Internationally known plantsman Adrian Bloom has long promoted the benefits of public display gardens, believing that gardens should be in the front yards of homes, for all to enjoy. One of his passions has always been to promote the wider use of plants, particularly perennials and plants for year-round color in small homeowner’s gardens.

His vision blossomed in the early 1980s with his first front-yard garden makeover for a homeowner in England, later expanding to North America and beyond. Over time the front yard garden concept grew into much larger demonstration gardens involving a community of gardening enthusiasts.

The first Blooms of Bressingham® demonstration garden was planted in 2000 at the Kendall-Jackson Winery in Santa Rosa, California. The site was chosen because of its outstanding reputation for quality and its five-acre organic culinary garden with easy access for many home gardeners. Importantly as well, the garden would be properly cared for as it matured.

Planning and Planting

Working from photographs and visits to the garden site, Adrian develops a broad view of the garden design. He then develops a wish list of plants, including many of his favorites with input from local experts familiar with the area where the garden is planted. Professional growers and retailers donate plants for the garden project. Then on the planting day, Adrian literally designs the garden on site, placing plants to create his vision. Volunteers follow behind him to do the actual planting, which is completed in a single day.

During breaks while Adrian is placing plants, gardening experts speak to the volunteers about plants, gardening tips and more. Adrian also takes time out to provide insights on the garden’s design and plants he has chosen to create the garden, which changes throughout the seasons. Local television, radio and newspaper personalities are generally on hand to cover the event.

The garden installations become a community celebration to create something beautiful and long lasting. Volunteers from all professions work together – professional retailers and growers, educators, master gardeners and gardening enthusiasts. Some come to work alongside perennial legend Adrian Bloom, to learn about plants and how to care for them, to pick up design tips, or to just be part of the day’s activities. The common bond is their passion for gardening.

This bond goes beyond the garden installation, with the participants, families and friends returning often to enjoy the garden as it evolves. Each garden is different and features a wide selection of perennial plants, demonstrating their combinations in unique ways.

Return to the Celebration of Gardens Tour to view the other Blooms of Bressingham gardens and be inspired to create your own!