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Autumn Leaves

'Dancing Peacock' Someone needs to write a song... :) With an atmospheric river and 30 mph winds predicted this past weekend, I was afraid the ginkgo, which had just started to turn color, would be stripped.  We were lucky though and it remains intact. Gingko 'Princeton Sentry' After the storm... The Black Tupelo (Nyssa slyvatica) changes color from the inside out - The above photo was taken last week. Here it is today - 'Wolf Eyes' Dogwood (Cornus kousa) has never had such pink color - Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea', Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite' ( Lagerstroemia ), and Persian Ironwood ( Parrotia persica ) - Japanese Maple 'Beni Hime' - Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance' ( Amelanchier ) with tree peonies - Stewartia pyschocamellia starts the color show early. It has since faded to a much softer color - Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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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 had not made the connection.


Back outside on the patio, which was surrounded by 'Lady Hillingdon' roses that were blooming -



A view of the house from the back -


More wisteria! -






A bench designed by Gertrude Jekyll -












(Visited May 11, 2005)

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy


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  1. tz_gardenSeptember 15, 2025 at 8:38 AM

    Wow, you visited SO many gardens! This one is really charming, and I love that you got to go inside the house. I love to check out what the views of the garden are from the inside.

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    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM

      Almost 30 in all! So more to come - haha I got some great photos from inside the house (the kitchen was fantastic), but I'd better not post those. :o

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  2. Kris PetersonSeptember 15, 2025 at 8:38 AM

    Another gorgeous garden! The Wisteria and peonies more than made up for the relatively smaller display of roses. No garden can hit the mark on all fronts at the same time.

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    1. Phillip OliverSeptember 15, 2025 at 9:07 AM

      Yes and I understood that. Hopefully I am going back next June (Sissinghurst!) and it will be the perfect time for seeing roses.

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  3. DeniseSeptember 16, 2025 at 8:05 AM

    I've grown 'Lady Hillingdon' so still have that incredible scent memory...thanks for reviving that! Nothing better than touring gardens in England, like an amusement park for plant lovers.

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