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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...

April, the angel of the months...


“April, the angel of the months, the young love of the year.”
 – Vita Sackville-West

I like this quote and it is from one of my favorite people so I thought that would be a nicer title than my first choice - "Spreading Manure". 

Spreading manure is how I spent most of the weekend. What a beautiful weekend it has been. The garden is all of a sudden wide awake with no remnants of winter left.

I drove out to South Ridge Farms in Ridgefield on Friday and got a load of horse manure and later went back for another. Beautiful stuff -



Some of my favorite plants in the garden now...

My favorite lavender is 'Platinum Blonde'. It has never bloomed that much but the foliage more than makes up for that...



Magnolia 'Fairy White' - a new series of magnolias. I thought I would keep this in a pot but I am having second thoughts. I'd love to find a place in the ground. I'm looking and thinking...



Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty' is just an amazing plant and looks better every year.



The rhododendrons are just beginning to bloom. This is 'Unique Variegated' that I bought at Gossler Farms a few years ago -



'Schipka' Cherry Laurel, probably the most overused plant in the region, but it does have some admirable qualities. I do love the flowers (so do the bees) and the fast-growing privacy screen it provides -



Viburnum davidii which some might argue is THE most over-used plant 



Barberry 'Orange Rocket' with the Red Currant still going strong in the background -



Daphne 'Carol Mackie' sooooo fragrant!



The pink dogwood was the only mature tree on the property when we moved in. Most years, the flowers have been erratic, sometimes appearing only at the top or bottom of the tree, but this year it is perfect -



Looking up the terraces, it looks a bit chaotic at the moment before the plants leaf out completely -



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Angel indeed! The horse manure is clearly making your garden happy. I've never seen that lavender before, dang that foliage is beautiful. The Magnolia doesn't even look real, it's so perfect. :). So happy for Spring!

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  2. Yes,! "Angel" smells better than manure! But, your garden will love it! Our pink dogwood did well this year, as well. Beats the spring when the blossoms never came out because it was too cold. I love watching your garden unfold each year, Phillip! Debbie

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  3. Your April garden is doing you proud, Phillip! I love that dogwood tree.

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  4. Viburnum davidii... Maybe it's over-used but only because it is so very hardy. Although ordinary in our region I love the cool fruit.
    The shot up the steps is great. It seems to go on forever.
    Chavli

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    Replies
    1. And the fact that it is a nice-looking shrub. I'm always surprised that many dismiss it.

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