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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...

Happy Plants & A Tiny Hortlandia Haul


Wet, wet, wet. This week another "atmospheric river" invaded us and it has been raining pretty much non-stop since Saturday. Today brought us a break but I think more rain is on the way. The good news is that the plants are happy.

Camellia 'Nuccio's Bella Rossa'

Camellia 'Magnoliaflora'

Euonymous albomarginatus


Fatsia 'Spider's Web'


Arctostaphylos 'Sunset' (Manzanita)


Pieris 'Little Heath'

Pieris 'Passion Frost'

Rhododendron 'PJM'

Rhododendron 'Taurus'

Saxifrage 'Touran White'

I only purchased 2 plants at Hortlandia and this was intentional. Knowing that my space is limited, I didn't want to be tempted. That, and the fact that I was mainly working the book sale, kept me in one spot. I did buy two plants -


The fern is a Japanese Painted Fern called 'Regal Red' (Athyrium niponicum). I got it for Michael, who has become rather fond of ferns.

And, lo and behold, there sat Hydrangea 'Fairytrail Bride'. I've been wanting this since seeing the photo (below) about two years ago. This is the first cascading hydrangea! Word is that we will be getting it at Yard n' Garden Land and I almost passed on it but thought I'd better grab it because if I didn't, we would wind up not receiving it at the nursery. Better safe than sorry!

Hydrangea 'Fairytrail Bride'



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Your garden is looking very colorful and springy, Phillip. The Hydrangea looks interesting (not that that's a good choice for my climate unfortunately).

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  2. The Hydrangea Fairytrail Bride is beautiful! I love how it cascades. Your garden is so lush, hopefully you get another nice break from the rain.

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  3. I also grow a small patch of the sweet anemone blanda. I was surprised when I saw a white bloom in a sea of blue, but now I see you got one of those curiosities too.
    Love that Hydrangea 'Fairytrail Bride'... I'll look for it in local nurseries (and worry about where to plant it later;).
    Your Camellia blooms are gorgeous, especially 'Magnoliaflora'. The rain usually turn them ugly quickly, so let's hope for a reprieve in the rain.
    Chavli

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  4. I hadn't heard about a cascading hydrangea. It is a beauty. You have lots of color in your garden now. I love those little windflowers.

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