Blooms of Bressingham

In 1946 Alan Bloom bought Bressingham Hall and began the process of building a world-renowned gardening industry in the eastern portion of the United Kingdom.  He had been gardening since the age of 16 and is considered by many to be one of the great plantsmen of the 20th century.  Today his legacy has spanned three generations and his gardening dynasty is still growing.

Bloom was the founder of the Blooms Nursery and the mastermind behind the Dell Garden with its ‘Island Beds’ between 1955 and 1962.  The garden has over 5,000 species of perennials all in as many varieties and colours.  The garden is designed to remind visitors of a park like meadow filled with bright colours and a wide range of shapes.

The Dell, Foggy Bottom, and Plant Centre are located in Bressingham, outside of the town of Diss in Norfolk, England.  All three are open every day from April 3 to November 2.  The Dell Garden is open form 10:30am to 5:30pm (4:40 pm in April and October) and the Foggy Bottom Garden is open from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.  The Plant Centre is also the home to Alan Bloom’s collection of Steam Engines, the second largest in Europe.  With 11 kilometres of working railway, visitors can take a fun ride to other rides along the line as well as to a Dad’s Army collection that has been launched for 2008.  Group tours are also welcome and it is recommended that visitors contact the gardens to ensure that they will open on the day they wish to visit.