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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...

Winter Honeysuckle



Things are blooming like mad on this first day of February - our Star Magnolia is in full bloom, way ahead of schedule. One thing that is on time, is the Winter Honeysuckle. It is such a pleasure to catch the fragrance of this shrub. It comes unexpected and envelopes you in wonderfulness.  I took this photo this morning right before another downpour occurred. Not the best, but you can see it is loaded with blooms.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Love your space there, Phillip, and honeysuckle, well, I can smell it by just saying the word. Nothing blooming in the PNW as yet, just a few groundcovers.

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  2. I would love to be sitting on that patio in the sun sipping wine or coffee and enjoying the scent. Love honeysuckle but it sure can take over a spot. Beautiful.

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  3. My daffodils are blooming and daylilies are coming up. My star mag aren't blooming yet and I hope they hold off. Cold weather is predicted in a couple of weeks. Mary

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  4. I wish I could smell it... I'm not sure I've ever run into one of those ??

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  5. I'm afraid winter is not done with us yet, and all those early blossoms are going to get zapped.

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  6. Phillip..I am enjoying mine also! It is loaded and had honeybees on it! I bet Florence is blooming all over...even further north things are freakishly ahead of schedule by about 3-4 weeks. Thanks for giving me my start of this wonderful shrub!

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  7. It is warm enough here to have honeysuckle blooms but there is only one bud on ours. It won't be long if it stays this warm.

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  8. You always have such enticing garden rooms, Phillip. And so many of them! Love it.

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  9. My winter honeysuckles have never bloomed this long - they started at least a month ago (North Carolina). I was walking thru the bedraggled garden one day and was enveloped in lemony freshness - wondered whose laundry I could possibly be smelling so deep in our back yard, then realized it was the honeysuckle. It's not a beautiful shrub, but the fragrance is worth it.

    Our crocuses, lenten rose and small daffs are blooming - the large daff flowers are still tightly closed. Tulip foliage is poking out of the ground. Spanish bluebell foliage is up. What a weird winter.

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  10. It's a wonderful photo! I have this Honeysuckle and it is a heavenly smell!

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  11. Beautiful shot! I have been tempted to buy a winter honeysuckle. I love fragrance in the garden. Yours is perfectly sited by the patio!

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