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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...

A vase before the frost

We've had a few frosts during the last week. There were still lots of blooms left in the garden so I cut a few of them before the cold snap. 

The rose 'Gold Medal', one of our favorite hybrid teas, is sending up 6 feet stalks that we see outside the bathroom window. The hydrangeas are still covered with dramatic, dark purple balls of color. I don't have many dahlias in the garden and I don't recall where the orange one came from but it is very pretty. Dahlias are to be dug up after the first frost so that is a chore I must do this week. There is another pretty pom-pom dahlia called 'Lolipop' in the front garden that I purchased at a Master Gardener plant sale shortly after we moved.

I have been very pleased with Baby's Breath (Gypsophila) although it has gotten much bigger than expected. It is too tall for the front of the border it resides in and I would like to transplant it before spring.

And in the rear is the remnants of Goldenrod, a good filler flower for an arrangement but so, so messy.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Such a striking combination of blooms. Those golden roses really pop in that color wave. Happy IAVOM.

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  2. Nice combination! What makes goldenrod so messy -- just in a vase or in general?

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    Replies
    1. The dried blooms are very tiny and fall everywhere when disturbed.

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  3. Ohmygosh the color of those hydrangea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  4. Beautiful! The color of hydrangea is so stunning!

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