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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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Out With The Liriope


There are plants that grow really well here in the Pacific Northwest and then there are plants that grow really, really well. I've tried to be careful about the plants I've put into this garden but there are always those that you don't suspect will create a problem. In the case of liriope (also known as lilyturf or monkey grass), we used it to border the boxwood hedge in front of our house. There it increased in size pretty rapidly but it wasn't infringing on anything and I would just mow it down every spring.  

I brought home a few pots from the nursery last year and planted them along the border of the sidewalk in front of house. It is a northern exposure with tricky lighting - it is generally shady but begins to get sunnier as summer progresses. It is also a fairly damp area. A downspout from the gutters deposits rainwater here. I catch some of it in a shallow dish for the birds but there is a lot of runoff.

I noticed that the liriope has spread a significant amount in one year and when Michael suggested taking it out, I reluctantly agreed. He is a neat freak but I have to say our borders are weed free because of him. He relishes jobs like this and eagerly volunteered to do the deed. 

Just look at the roots!


Now there is room for more plants, which is exciting. I'm not sure what yet - maybe some Japanese Forest Grass since there is some near the front door and I love it. There is room though for some other plants as well.




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowJune 6, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    Way to go Michael! It is always fun to discover new territory to plant. I have a few lirope but they haven't done much over the years. This variety is variegated clumper. It doesn't get any love it just exists. I like the way it isn't fussy about soil etc. The rabbits eat it down every winter. I don't have to cut it back.

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  2. chavlinessJune 7, 2020 at 6:52 PM

    It's fabulous that someone else volunteers to do the hard work, and you are left with the fun task of picking new plant . Lucky you!

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