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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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Home Again to a Beautiful Fall Season



I just got home from a trip to Alabama where the weather was pleasant but dry and nothing interesting to see plant-wise. Waking up to a blustery day here in Washington with scattered rain showers and the fall color is beginning to dazzle.

A quick walk around the garden this morning and clean-up is desperately needed. 


Some interesting sightings - Rhododendron 'Hills Bright Red' in bloom and not just one bloom, several! Very odd. Please overlook the the spider mite damage. It is terrible and I must do something... 



A sign that I am in a different climate -


Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Alice' showing nice color -



The Pomegranate (Punica granatum 'Crimson Sky') is a beauty!






And, look what I picked from 'Little Miss Figgy' -


The Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia) has been unimpressive this year but they always have a bloom-spurt in autumn -


Fuchsias that were moved from the deck are blooming much better now that they are getting more light. The Sumac is also very nice this time of year -



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Hoover BooOctober 10, 2023 at 7:49 PM

    Gorgeous, Phillip. Wonderful color on the 'Alice' and the Pomegranate. (They color up somewhat even here.) Your garden gets better and better and better. Looks like the PNW is getting at least a bit of rain--that should knock back those spider mites a bit.

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  2. Kris PetersonOctober 10, 2023 at 8:43 PM

    Dazzling fall color indeed, Phillip. I can't say I've seen any of that here yet but then its sparse even later in the season.

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  3. AnonymousOctober 11, 2023 at 5:59 PM

    Agreed, Southeast is a bit lackluster this fall. Been very dry. Japanese maples are crispy, not colored. But oh, the sun angle has changed. Beautiful light is what I’m here for!

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  4. AnonymousOctober 12, 2023 at 8:59 AM

    Beautiful and vibrant garden... not sure what you mean by "clean-up is desperately needed". What's your fall routine?
    Jealous of your Figgies.
    Chavli

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  5. AnonymousOctober 14, 2023 at 11:17 AM

    Hey Phillip, your garden is stunning!, as per every time I check in, its just amazing! I noted your photo of the spider mite damage... I have the same on my eucryphia's. I did a bit of investigating and discovered that what I had wasn't spider mite, but was instead a new pest for us (I garden up in Tacoma) called Pieris lace bug. The damage noted in you picture looks very similar to what i have on my shrubs. It's not a good sign that it is spreading so rapidly. I'm seeing it everywhere in my neighborhood. Hope this helps, so that we can get this pest under a bit of control. .. Erik

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 14, 2023 at 12:30 PM

      Thanks Eric - I will look into this! -- Phillip

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