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Ashington Manor Farm (Yeovil)

After a two-night stay at The Swan Hotel in Wells , we departed for Exeter. Along the way, our first stop was Ashington Manor Farm, the home of the husband and wife garden designers Julian and Isabel Bannerman.  Roses are a specialty of the Bannerman's, but sadly, we were too early to see any. That disappointment was curtailed by touring their magnificent farmhouse, which we were invited to roam around at leisure. And Julian Bannerman, who did most all the talking, was a very entertaining man.  Gathering at the front door - We actually entered at the side of the house, right off the patio, which led to this room, where the Bannerman's greeted us. The massive table was filled with books they had written as well as magazine articles about their gardens. As we were listening to Julian's speech, I happened to notice Isabel Bannerman's book "Husbandry" on the table and immediately recognized it as a book I have at home but have not gotten to yet. At the time, I ha...
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Mid-November blooms

I'm a little late for Gardener's Bloom Day!

The sasanqua camellias are blooming -

'Hana Jiman'



'Snow Flurry'



'Bonanza'



Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha)



The colorful foliage of Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus)



Hyacinth Bean



Mums



Red Maple



Lespedeza



The brilliant crimson leaves of a pear tree hover over a group of hydrangeas



This is Scudder, a new addition to the family. He appeared as a stray and has been around for the past several weeks. He was on top of the garden wall today.



And here is the real Queen of the Roost - Isabella. She is fifteen years old and she's not too keen on Scudder.

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  1. LostRosesNovember 17, 2007 at 11:15 PM

    Well it was worth the wait, Phillip. Camellias and fall foliage all in one post, very nice. Hope the kitties get used to one another!

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  2. Carol MichelNovember 18, 2007 at 2:23 AM

    Late is just fine when you bring us camellias like those! Thanks for joining in with bloom day,

    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

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  3. lisaNovember 19, 2007 at 7:48 AM

    Nice post! I take it you aren't in the "drought zone"?

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  4. Phillip OliverNovember 19, 2007 at 7:54 AM

    Lisa, we have had a terrible drought this year! We did get a good rain a few weeks ago. The last I heard, we are about 17 inches under average.

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  5. Annie in AustinNovember 19, 2007 at 11:39 AM

    Oh, Phillip - I should be happy just to have my two camellias live at all in my alkaline soil, but I would so love a delicate looking flower like that 'Hana Jiman'. Any camellias I've seen around Austin are the rosier tones.

    You have a post filled with lovely blooms, and your photographs are perfect - yes, definitely worth the wait!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    PS You and Isabella have such royal names - why'd the new guy get stuck with 'Scudder'? Are you a Heinlein fan?

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  6. Phillip OliverNovember 19, 2007 at 5:16 PM

    Annie, I'm not familiar with Heinlein's Scudder. I got the name from "Maurice" by E.M. Forster (and the movie is a favorite of mine). The character of Scudder is a gardener. I've always to name a cat that.

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  7. Annie in AustinNovember 19, 2007 at 7:11 PM

    Ah, Phillip - that makes much more sense! Heinlein's character of that name was not a nice guy.

    Annie

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  8. AnonymousNovember 21, 2007 at 7:58 PM

    Terrific photos, Phillip; the hyacinth bean, in particular, is so dramatic. And how interesting to see the clear yellow leaf color on the lespedeza. I didn't realize the plant did that. Thanks for sharing your garden!

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