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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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Rhododendron 'PJM'



For me, Rhododendron 'PJM' is one of the main plants that signal the beginning of Spring. Nevermind that it is rather pedestrian, dotted everywhere around town and often residing on properties where it is obvious that gardeners do not live within. The reason for this is that, when it comes to rhododendrons, it is very cold hardy and one of the easiest to grow.

The story behind it is an interesting one. It was developed by Edmund Mezitt, the son of Peter J. Mezzit, an emigrant who fled the Russian czar and came to America in 1911. He and his wife Olga founded Weston Nurseries in 1923 in Connecticut. Their son, Edmund, had a passion for rhododendrons but was discouraged by the selection of offerings in the New England region. In 1939, he crossed Rhododendron carolinianum, a plant native to the Carolinas and Tennessee with Rhododendron dauricum var. sempervirens, an extremely cold-hardy plant gifted to his father by Russian missionaries. The result, Rhododendron 'PJM', named after his father's initials, took the country by storm and made their nursery famous.

I see 'PJM' growing in a variety of conditions - full sun, part sun, shade - it all seems to work but I would recommend a partly shady spot with preferably morning sun. It grows about 3 - 5 ft. in height and is upright. Today there are other varieties including 'PJM Elite' which has slightly brighter color and suppose to be more compact.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. AnonymousApril 16, 2023 at 5:52 PM

    That's a good story. We often don't know how plants ended up for sale in our local nurseries or on line. Millions growing around the world that were once a single seedling.

    That intense color sure wakes up the eyes in a grey spring!

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  2. Kris PetersonApril 16, 2023 at 7:03 PM

    It's pretty and cheerful - just what you want to kick off spring!

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowApril 17, 2023 at 2:55 AM

    I agree it is an interesting story. It is a beauty too. Happy Spring.

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  4. AnonymousApril 17, 2023 at 7:49 AM

    I planted PJM Rhododendrum a few years ago. Very little direct sun made it grow leggy branches, it lost the lovely bronze-colored leafs it had when I punched it, and it produced 5 blooms this year. I'm rather discouraged.
    Chavli

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    1. Phillip OliverApril 17, 2023 at 7:52 AM

      Actually mine is not very dense. I wonder if pruning would help?

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  5. tz_gardenApril 17, 2023 at 9:25 AM

    So commanding with the bright color. I know rhododendrons are common, but I miss them (grew up in Portland, OR now in CA).

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  6. AnonymousApril 17, 2023 at 6:45 PM

    What a great story! Thank you for that! I know they are common, but damn - there is a reason for that. I love that dark foliage contrasted with that nearly fluorescent purple. If I had room, I would totally plant one.
    Anna K

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