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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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Garden Bloggers Bloom Day for September 2018


Is it really September already? It has been a long, warm, dry summer but autumn is on the horizon. The temperatures are steadily back in the upper 60s and low 70s and we are getting sprinkles. There are autumnal hints everywhere in the garden - the Japanese maples and the dogwood tree are beginning a color shift and fall flowers, like Anenome and Goldenrod are blooming. The garden has been full of goldfinches during the past two weeks and hummingbirds have increased dramatically.

Gardener Blogger's Bloom Day, hosted by May Dreams Gardens, is the place to see what is blooming in gardens across the United States. Check out the blog for a list of links.

In the meantime, here are some of the flowers in our garden this month...

Goldenrod (Solidago 'Fireworks') is a sure sign that the season is changing.


 

Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite' finally beginning to bloom.

Aster dumosis 'Wood's Purple' and Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)

 Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum' still going strong, laughing at the drought, the sun and the heat.





California Fuchsia (Zauschneria septentrionalis 'Select Mattole'


Veronica longifolia 'Marietta'

Portulaca (Moss Rose), probably our most successful annual. We grow it in pots, in the ground, everywhere!

Coreopsis 'Big Bang Star Cluster'



Hybrid Musk Rose 'Buff Beauty' and Abelia 'Frances Mason'




Kangaroo Paw


Climbing Rose 'Don Juan' off to a slow, slow start and just now beginning to bloom. I suspect there may be a problem with the plant. I have already had to remove two canes that looked diseased. The blooms are so seductive. 

Compare to 'Double Delight', a rose that doesn't stop blooming.

The blooms on the Pineapple Lily (Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy') are dwindling 
but I love that foliage.


Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and Rose 'Emma Hamilton'



Sourwood Tree (Oxydendrum) with Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose' in the morning sunshine following a rainy night.


Saxifrage (Saxifraga fortunei 'Magenta')



'Mary Rose'


Hydrangea 'Pistachio'


Japanese Shrub Mint (Leucosceptrum Japonicum 'Golden Angel')

 
Santa Barbara Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus 'Profusion')

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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Comments

  1. LisaSeptember 16, 2018 at 5:48 PM

    Such beautiful photos. I have to try asters again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LeaSeptember 17, 2018 at 12:50 AM

    Beautiful blooms!
    I had forgotten about Moss Rose - so pretty! I am making myself a note to grow it again next year. Thanks for the reminder!
    Have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 17, 2018 at 6:07 AM

    Your front porch looks so welcoming with all of those healthy looking plants blooming. All of your blooms are lovely. Happy GBBD.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AlisonSeptember 17, 2018 at 8:58 AM

    Oh, I would love to find that Dynamite crape myrtle somewhere. The foliage on yours doesn't look quite as dark as what I've seen on some California blogs, though. We've gotten quite a few deluges of rain up here, and our morning temperature was down to 46 today.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Barbara H.September 17, 2018 at 11:59 AM

    I was always inspired by your Alabama garden, but you've outdone yourself here. Your thumb is not only green but magical.

    ReplyDelete
  6. http://whatsitgarden.blogspot.comSeptember 18, 2018 at 6:36 PM

    I'm jealous ! my Crape myrtle didn't bloom .

    ReplyDelete
  7. AaronSeptember 21, 2018 at 6:01 AM

    Very nice!

    I can't help but notice that certain plants I grow (the goldenrod, the pineapple lily) look much better in your garden.

    Maybe it's the cooler temps in the PNW? Lower humidity? Better soil?

    Do you irrigate too? (I rarely do anymore.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 21, 2018 at 7:35 PM

      I would guess lower temperatures and less humidity. Maybe the soil? I am not sure. I do have to irrigate. We have not had any significant rain since June, which is typical for this region. It is Mediterranean climate - wet winters and dry summers.

      Delete

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