BBC Gardeners’ World visits Bressingham Gardens and films a bloomin’ good show

Adrian Bloom talks about his garden Foggy Bottom at Bressingham with Carol Klein, presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World during filming. With them are director Lisa Lipman, Paul Stas on the camera, and Peter Elliot on sound. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

On Wednesday a team from the prestigious gardening programme returned to Bressingham Gardens created by Alan Bloom and his son Adrian.

The gardening experts were keen to see just how much the gardens have developed and matured since the programme last visited in 1977.

In that time the extensive plot has grown from 12 to 17 acres and contains over 8,000 species and varieties of plants.

It has attracted thousands of visitors including TV presenters Percy Thrower, Peter Seabrook and more recently Monty Don and Carol Klein.

Adrian Bloom talks about his garden Foggy Bottom at Bressingham with Carol Klein, presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World during filming. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Owner Adrian Bloom said the visit was perfect timing for the Foggy Bottom 50th Anniversary Open Weekend at the gardens on September Saturday 9 and Sunday 10.

He said: 'All went well with the shoot today, perfect weather and some marvellous coverage of the gardens.

'As an expert gardener herself Carol Klein was very complimentary about the gardens - and since I'm not supposed to disclose the content of the programme 'I can only say anyone who enjoys gardens and visiting gardens need to see what she says about them.

'Funnily enough Gardeners' World with Peter Seabrook as presenter came to the gardens in 1977 when Foggy Bottom Garden was still in its early stages

Adrian Bloom talks about his garden Foggy Bottom at Bressingham with Carol Klein, presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World during filming. With them are Paul Stas on the camera, and Peter Elliot on sound. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'So the timing is very good for our forthcoming open day when we want to recreate the atmosphere we had when we first opened Foggy Bottom - it will be a gardeners' weekend.

'It is also a great time of year because all the gardens are looking their best with everything in bloom.'

The gardener and author said creating the gardens had been hard work and there had been highs and lows.

In 1987 there were floods followed by gales in the Autumn which meant many of the trees and shrubs were destroyed.

Alan Bloom founder of the family nursery at Bressingham Gardens created the Dell Garden. Picture: Richard and Adrian Bloom (Image: © Richard Bloom)

But one of the highlights for him has been the growth from seed of two of his giant redwood trees.

They now tower over the gardens at 100 feet.

Adrian's Wood originally planted by Adrian Bloom in 1964 with trees and conifers including five giant redwoods. Picture: Richard and Adrian Bloom (Image: © Richard Bloom)

The Fragrant Garden is next to the picnic area at Bressingham Gardens. Picture: Richard and Adrian Bloom (Image: © Richard Bloom)