WHAT IS THE BOOK ‘FOGGY BOTTOM - A GARDEN TO SHARE’ –ABOUT?

From breaking turf in an empty meadow in 1966, to its near maturity in 2023 it is the story of a garden and its plants. That’s a 56-year-old garden with stories to tell. 

More important in Adrian’s view is what the Foggy Bottom Garden represents today and how many more can benefit from sharing it. He shows and describes changes in weather and habitats, dramatic seasonal changes shown through the diversity of many worthwhile plants.  

     How to keep a balance between design and ‘right plant’, ‘right place’ and need for change as the garden grows and develops. Adrian has continually adapted his garden as the once empty windswept meadow became sheltered and shaded. Flooding still happens from time to time, spring frosts seek out early flowers, occasional gale blows the tops out of trees. And then there is the wildlife...

You are welcome to browse through a 65 page excerpt from the book below and  Order your copy today on this link

Take a look at the book !

Adrian Bloom

A note from the author..

THE CONCEPT OF SHARING A GARDEN

My garden is called Foggy Bottom, situated in a meadow on the edge of a small village in Norfolk, England. The story of how it came to be is the second half of this book. 

You, as a privileged visitor, going through this book are being given a private tour by me, as Head Gardener and owner of Foggy Bottom. If you come as an ordinary visitor, we are open as Bressingham Gardens from 10.30am to 5pm and after your journey to get here you can see what there is to see on one day. 

 As my privileged visitor you see the 6-acre garden not just on one day, but magically at several times in the year in a single visit. You are being made aware, through images and copy, as to what makes this garden work. The best time to take in the atmosphere of the garden, is often when the gardens are not open, and in early morning and evening.

This book is your guide, the start if you want, of a journey to learn, think, see, and absorb. You can get to know the design, layout, and vistas. Enjoy the early morning mists, the autumn colour, and the winter light. In close up, see what the photographer sees, imagine yourself behind the lens spotting the spider’s web, the frosted foliage, the veins of leaves. You are in the garden, both alone and sharing. You might even spot some of the wildlife! ‘The Devil is in the Detail’ was a title initially thought of for this book and it is a theme we will come back to time and again. Another trite and sometimes used phrase, ‘look and you will discover, seek and you will find’ is a good note to finish on.

               

Financial Times

Robin Lane Fox

What others say about Adrian’s new book…

  • “ I just received my copy of ‘Foggy Bottom A Garden to Share’ - all I can say is wow!! A book I will forever cherish. Thank you Adrian for all your wonderful photos and the well written words to describe your beautiful gardens. We made the trip over from the USA a few years back to see Bressingham Gardens something we recommend to all of our gardening friends!!

    Bob Skow - Gardener

  • “I received my copy of your book yesterday and am breaking off from reading it now to write to thank you. It’s an incredible achievement - so vividly capturing the long-unfolding, arduous but so very loving labour that is gardening. And it’s a beautiful book in itself, too. I take my hat off to you! “

    James Mc’Connachie - Jurnalist

  • This is a book to learn from, to explore and to dip in-and-out of forever. It is packed with Adrian’s tips and insights, suggestions for plant combinations and ways to enjoy your garden every single day of the year. Whether your own garden is large or small, there is something in this book for you. It is a reference work for plants, including how to use them, prune and care for them. Definitely one for your wish-list!

    Val Bradley - Garden.help - JAN 2024

  • “ Since digging out Foggy Bottom’s first turves in 1966, he has striven to constantly innovate and evolve his garden, incorporating the newest plants and embracing current trends.

    Now, 57 years on, he has produced a remarkable book that documents the garden’s creation in astonishing detail. “

    Clare Foggett – The English Garden NOV 2023

  • Few visitors fail to be transfixed by the cathedral-like majesty of the now mature conifers, thinned over time, enabling new features to be introduced, such as sweeping vistas threaded with trademark rivers of perennials and grasses. This sumptuously produced, lavishly illustrated, self-published, 427-page volume, is a personal apotheosis of “Foggy Bottom’ in all its seasonal splendour, as its owner-creator would like it to be seen, understood, and appreciated.

    Ian Hodgson - The Horticulturist

  • My favourite section of the book is part two, “The Treasury of Plants”, in which Adrian’s brilliant photography and his eye for composition shines through. The detailed naming of the plants alongside the images and in the text is so helpful, which reflects the attention given to labelling within the garden itself.

    Bob Askew - Hort Week

  • Adrian’s humour is evident throughout and those who are lucky enough to have visited the gardens or those who can only wander around Foggy Bottom through the words and photography of this beautifully produced book will marvel at this ‘little piece of heaven’.

    Camilla Anderson - Visit Gardens

  • The transformation of Foggy Bottom Garden, from wind-swept field to plant-filled paradise is charted in a lavishly illustrated new book by Adrian, published this month.

    The book is also a private tour of the 6-acre garden. Adrian shares his stunning photographs of the garden through the seasons, taking in early morning mists, vibrant summer flowers, autumn colour and sparkling winter light.

    Rowan Mantell - Norfolk Magazine

  • This is not a book to be considered a coffee table book showing us lovely plants, this is Adrian's approach to gardening. I found this book unputdownable when I started reading it. It contains so much of Adrian's knowledge that is generously shared with us.

    Alison Levey - Blackberry Garden

  • “ It is excellent, an inspirational book for all gardeners, I hope it is a best seller. Over many years you have promoted and introduced so many fantastic plants, all of us British nurserymen owe you a huge debt.Thank you for showcasing the best of British horticulture. ”

    John Massey - Nurseryman, plantsman, and gardener

  • “There is a lifetime amount of work here, and I thought - Crikey, that book! I had to weigh it, you’ve got over four and a half pounds of book here, if anybody compares it to other books that you’re paying £20 - £25, it therefore represents excellent value! “

    Joff Elphick -Professional gardener and podcaster NOV 2023