Skip to main content

Featured

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...
5 comments
Read more
Labels

More You-Know-What

So is anyone getting tired of hydrangeas? If you are, just skip this post. Here we go with several more varieties without a lot of commentary. Hopefully the photos will speak for themselves!
This is the new "pink Annabelle" called "Invinsibelle Spirit". I'm not crazy about the name but the thought of an Annabelle with color excites me. I didn't expect to see it in nurseries this year but lo and behold, they had it at Porter's Nursery in Muscle Shoals ($30 in a 3 gallon pot, ouch)!


And speaking of Annabelle, the original.

"Ayesha", one of the most unique hydrangeas I've ever seen. It has really taken off this year (its third year in the garden) and is loaded with blooms. It has been a shy bloomer in the past.
"Charm" sports huge blooms.

"Merritt's Supreme", a tried and true variety and heavy bloomer. The blooms were so heavy that they were flopping to the ground. I have attempted to stake them.

"Penny Mac", named after hydrangea doyenne Penny McHenry of Atlanta, Ga., it was discovered in her garden.

"Tokyo Delight", an elegant lace-cap.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

  1. BenJune 18, 2010 at 8:19 AM

    How could anyone get tired of hydrangeas ? Very nice ones you have to!

    ReplyDelete
  2. GrannaJune 18, 2010 at 8:39 AM

    I never tire of seeing your hydrangeas! They are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DarlaJune 18, 2010 at 8:44 AM

    My question exactly Ben. These are so beautiful...I must expand my hydrangeas..

    ReplyDelete
  4. Roses and LilacsJune 18, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    Annabelle is my favorite. Don't know if it's because it is the most reliable here or because I just love those huge white blooms. Both I guess. Invinsibelle Spirit is something I will definitely look for. That one would show up against the white house.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  5. AlainaJune 18, 2010 at 9:14 AM

    I wish hydrangeas did well down here in Louisiana.. it just gets too hot (even in the shade)! You're very spoiled and I definitely don't get tired of your hydrangeas. Absolutely beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. CarolJune 18, 2010 at 9:46 AM

    Hi Phillip, I knew how to fill in your title... quite hydrated now! ;>)) Lovely all! How can one ever have too many.

    ReplyDelete
  7. NicJune 18, 2010 at 12:05 PM

    Beautiful! I just planted an 'Invinsibelle Spirit' in the garden of a lady I work for who loves hydrangeas. Bigleaf hydrangeas are not terribly reliable here in Michigan and most people have to make do with the Annabelles so I was quite excited when I found out about this new color option.

    ReplyDelete
  8. meemsnycJune 18, 2010 at 3:23 PM

    Wow, your hydrangea look amazing! I've tried to grow hydrangea twice and it just shriveled up into a stick, losing all it's leaves and eventually died. What's your secret? Do they like sun, hate sun, like more shade ?

    ReplyDelete
  9. RandyJune 18, 2010 at 6:18 PM

    Oh I'll be so glad when we get some shade!-- Randy

    ReplyDelete
  10. CrystalJune 18, 2010 at 8:08 PM

    You have inspired me to add some Hydrangeas to my front entry garden! Gorgeous garden you have, pretty flowers and the photos look like something out of a magazine.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lisa at GreenbowJune 19, 2010 at 4:23 AM

    Nope, I'm not tired of you-know-what. That first one is a keeper. I haven't seen it around here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJune 19, 2010 at 8:25 PM

    Phillip, one can never tire of such a wonderful shrub. These blooms will last all summer. You do grow the best of the best!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dirt PrincessJune 20, 2010 at 1:22 AM

    Gorgeous!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. DJune 20, 2010 at 7:45 AM

    We love Hydrangeas, but only have one H. macrophylla due to our limited shade, however increasing as the trees grow, as is our water.

    Beautiful specimens Phillip.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dee @ Red Dirt RamblingsJune 20, 2010 at 2:09 PM

    I could never tire of your hydrangea photos. I've got two very small Invicibelle Spirits, and I don't like the name either. Kind of dorky, but I know it is for breast cancer research.

    My Annabelles are doing really well.~~Dee

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tatyana@MySecretGardenJune 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM

    Phillip, I love all of them. Great pictures.I think I need Annabelle in my garden! I am wondering if it changes its color a bit in different soils?

    ReplyDelete
  17. WayneJune 21, 2010 at 3:06 PM

    How could I possibly get tired of seeing your yard!

    ReplyDelete
  18. debsgardenJune 22, 2010 at 5:20 PM

    Gorgeous, gorgeous! Now I want the pink Annabelle! But will it bloom pink in my acid soil, or will it turn blue? I really want some hydrangeas that will be pink, and I don't want to doctor the soil.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)June 22, 2010 at 11:51 PM

    "Ayesha" and 'Tokyo Delight' get my vote.

    Love 'em

    ReplyDelete
  20. KMGJune 23, 2010 at 12:25 PM

    These are so beautiful! I have been rooting cuttings this month of my friends beautiful ones. Of course, I'll have to find a good spot for them - 100 degrees in the shade here in summer. I'm moving the ones I have to deeper shade but They are Defiantly worth the trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownJune 27, 2010 at 5:13 PM

    Love your blog. I'm moving soon from Mobile to Conroe TX-north of Houston, going from full sun to full shade and look forward to planting many hydrangeas. Could you talk some on your blog how you keep the blues, blue and the pinks pink all in one garden bed? I bought a beautiful purple one at Lowe's last year, put it in a huge container with potting soil, and it bloomed pink! I started putting coffe ground mixed in and it is going back purple. Just wondered how to work it to have blues and pinks side by side. Also, did you finish the Master Gardeners class? It's something I want to do also. Thanks

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment