Trial and display gardens

On August 23, 2004, a beautiful new garden, consisting of six different flower borders, was planted in the front of Cornell University's Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center. The world-famous horticulturalist and landscape designer, Adrian Bloom, designed the gardens at the request of the Perennial Plant Association (PPA). This historic project was in preparation for more than a year before the planting. Although Mr. Bloom lives in the United Kingdom, he had been receiving digital photos and blueprints of the area prior to his arrival. Then Mr. Bloom, and PPA President Joe Kunkle, arrived several days before the planting to get a better feel for the layout.

On the day of the event, more than 1,400 plants were available for the project. All of these plants and the compost to protect them were donated by the businesses and individuals who are listed below. Once Adrian positioned the plants in their final locations, more than 50 volunteer Master Gardeners from Caroline Kiang's program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County did the work of planting them.

The media coverage for this event was exciting, and greater than expected. Ralph Snodsmith did oral interviews on the radio and the magazine People, Places, and Plants filmed during the entire day for their TV show and regional magazine. Sara Evans from Harris Publications attended the garden installation for Perennials and Roses magazines and Joanna Fortnam, the garden editor for Garden Design magazine, also attended. Ruth Clausen, the garden editor for Country Living Gardener, attended and later reported on the event. Stephanie Cohen, national speaker on gardening, attended and interviewed Adrian for the Blooms of Bressingham press releases. Of course, our local newspapers such as the Riverhead News Review and Suffolk Times also reported on the event.

This colossal project was the result of many people working together for a common cause. It was also possible through the generous donations of several businesses from Long Island and nearby regions. These are the generous contributors to this project; please thank them for their support: