Well known plantsman and gardener Adrian Bloom started planting conifers in the
early 1960’s in his English garden. He
planted over 500 varieties! Along with his son, photographer Richard Bloom, he
has produced a rich reference on the subject that would inspire most to include
more conifers in their own gardens.
He
begins by discussing the ways we can maximize the effectiveness of plant
combinations by appreciating the endless variety of conifers and their seasonal
changes. These plants, he reminds us, bring differences in foliage color and
texture, plant size and shape, cones and, yes, even flowers!
Given the diversity they offer, an entire
garden can be designed using nothing else.
Bloom
uses conifers extensively in his own garden, but makes the most of
inter-planting with other trees, shrubs and perennials.
The beautifully illustrated text provides
numerous examples of garden settings, detailing the conifers and their neighbors.
He highlights the advantages of various selections during different seasons.