I don’t get to walk through the 17 acres of gardens at Bressingham every day, but sometimes I am able to enjoy a walk on a frosty morning in midwinter as the sun comes up over the horizon.
On a frosty day, the hoar frost works its magic in the six-acre Dell Garden, designed by my late father, Alan Bloom, more than 60 years ago.
First and foremost a nurseryman, he began experimenting with planting, using 48 island beds for perennials – a total of 4,500 varieties collected from around the UK and continental Europe. His planting was the perfect advertisement for perennials, which from the mid-1970s became increasingly popular.
As you walk around the Dell Garden in winter, you can see the design more clearly, the natural form of the island beds mirroring the surrounding landscape. You can also see back towards Bressingham Hall, the former family home, now used for holiday lets.
I joined the family business in 1962, and, wanting to add something different, began collecting conifers and heathers. I created my first conifer and heather garden adjacent to my father’s and eventually took over a six-acre meadow, which I have called Foggy Bottom, made with a view to having good autumn and winter colour and interest.
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I began to show how conifers could be used, challenging the previous dominance of perennials. Winter is often when conifers come into their own, standing as frosted beacons or immobile statues. Many change colour in the winter, some becoming darker and perhaps duller, while others change from a summer green to a winter yellow or gold. A good dwarf form is Pinus mugo ‘Carstens’ (also known as ‘Carsten’s Wintergold’), but my favourite has to be Pinus contorta ‘Chief Joseph’, which brings a wonderfully rich, golden glow to the winter garden.
Visitors are bowled over by the grasses. They provide movement and colour throughout the winter
Over time the garden has matured to a garden of year-round interest, with shrubs and trees, perennials, grasses, bulbs and ferns all playing their part. Many visitors are bowled over at the impact of the grasses. They fit in with almost everything, from perennials to shrubs, conifers and trees. We have a selection ranging from below 30cm in height to some that are well over 1.8m, and they provide movement and colour throughout the winter.
The aptly named Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kaskade’ is one of many cultivars first introduced to this country from the nursery of German breeder Ernst Pagels. One plant seldom promoted these days, largely because of overuse in the past, is the pampas grass Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’, which we’ve planted en masse to make a stunning picture – one of Foggy Bottom’s ‘wow’ features.
Alongside the grasses are the colourful stems of Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ and the attractive flowerheads of shrubs, including hydrangeas. Bulbs enhance the planting; I wouldn’t be without the impact Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’ makes as it curves through one bed as a river of gleaming, star-like snowdrops.
Winter is often when conifers come into their own, standing as frosted beacons or immobile statues
I am lucky to still have a garden to enjoy, and my many years of endeavours have given me a wealth of experience to build on as our climate changes. Winters have become milder and summers hotter, and many plants have suffered. We’re taking out some mature trees that have died due to long-term flooding and the effects of drought. Where we consider re-planting, we will be selective, but accept this as a challenge rather than a problem.
Behind it all is the belief that plants and gardens can make a difference to our lives. There is no shortage of ideas for the garden at any time of the year, and the phrase ‘winter is coming’, in the garden at least, has become something to relish, not dread.
Adrian’s 8 key winter plants
1 Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
Even in January, the heads are showy, whether frosted or not. Height and spread: 2.5m x 2.5m. AGM*. RHS H6, USDA 3a-9b†.
2 Betula pendula
Adrian planted this silver birch in 1959. When frosted from top to bottom, its ghostly effect is enhanced by the rising sun. 25m x 12m. RHS H7, USDA 2a-6b.
3 Miscanthus nepalensis
A beautiful grass with delicate airy, golden flower plumes that turn bronze in winter. Likes full sun and a sheltered spot. 1.2m x 1m. RHS H6, USDA 4a-9b.
4 Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’
A shorter pampas than most others with ‘flowers’ that last through the winter. They need the sun to create most impact, and can light up the garden, particularly in early morning or late afternoon. 1.5m x 1.2m. AGM. RHS H6.
5 Eucalyptus pulverulenta ‘Baby Blue’
This compact eucalyptus shows the unusual small leaf formation in winter, each leaf surrounded by hoar frost. 4m x 2.5m. RHS H5, USDA 8a-10b.
6 Pinus sylvestris
This magnificent 200-year-old Scots pine towers above the Dell Garden. Covered in frost, it has
a striking, ghostly effect. 17m x 12m. RHS H7, USDA 2a-7b.
7 Cynara cardunculus
Large thistle-like purple flowers in late summer and autumn. 1.5m x 1.2m. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 7a-9b.
8 Miscanthus sinensis ‘Goldfeder’
An elegant, arching grass with clumps of green and gold-striped foliage that look beautiful coated by frost in winter. 1.2m x 1m. RHS H6, USDA 4a-9b.
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available.
Useful information
- Address Bressingham Gardens, Low Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 2AA.
- Tel 01379 688282.
- Web thebressinghamgardens.com
