Adrian James – Bodenham Arboretum
through the Seasons
I have been photographing gardens and plants on a freelance basis for many years. I distribute my work through the specialist horticultural image library Garden World Images .
With interests in garden history and in that rather esoteric topic of what gardens are actually for, combined with a strong sense of connection to these spaces, I also use my images in a range of garden talks which feature gardens from many parts the world and where possible using gardens that people may not know well.
I also have a passion for travel, often to places somewhat off the well beaten track and always with a camera in my hands, and I offer a number of travelogue style talks too.
Based in the picturesque village of Offenham near Evesham in Worcestershire, with my other hat on I am the under-gardener at Langdale Garden , which my wife Sheila & I open under the National Garden Scheme and to groups to raise money for national & local charities and good causes.
see Adrians web site here
The Creator of Bodenham Arboretum David Binnian said -
We began the project in 1973 when my wife, Jennifer, and I bought the land with a vision which has taken over 30 years to realise. It started as my hobby, just planting a few trees each winter, until it developed into what it is today. It’s now run as a family venture, with the second generation of Binnians fully involved in its planning, development and day-to-day management, and the third generation hovering in the wings. When Bodenham received conditional English Heritage status in 1995 we realised that this was a major opportunity for the Arboretum to be enjoyed by the public and for it to remain in the family.
When we first bought the property it comprised 127 acres of woodland and rough pasture grazed by sheep. Our family had lived half a mile away for the previous sixteen years and saw it sold twice before we took the opportunity to buy it ourselves, because of its potential for conversion to an arboretum, combined with a working farm. Ever since I was a small boy I had been keen on planting and landscaping and was motivated, I think, by my parents who had a beautiful home and a large garden with fine specimen trees. Although I read forestry at College much of my knowledge has been acquired quietly, over the years.
See web site here
