I Simply Remember These Favorite Things with Dr. A, April 2024
I Simply Remember These Favorite Things, and then I Can Smile All Day.
April 2024
A Plant:
Annual vinca, Soiree singles
Catheranthus ‘Soiree Rose’
This annual plant is one of the prettiest of the dozens of vincas out there. It is small, prolific, and flowers all season. In the small Armitage garden, my Soirees acs as a colorful groundcover, with nary a complaint. The newer double forms (look closely at the label) are not nearly as good as the singles. This is not the perennial vinca vine, which should generally be avoided in small gardens. The annual is called Catharanthus; the perennial is Vinca.
A Garden:
Alaska Botanical Garden, Anchorage, AK
My time at Alaska Botanical Garden a number of years ago was far too short but still very memorable. The Perennial Garden (catch the Delphiniums), Herb Garden, and Rock Garden are outstanding, and while the season is short, the growth of the plants is other-worldly. The Alaskan wildflower walk is interesting, but if you get there at the right time (usually in mid to late June), you will have a chance to see Meconopsis, the blue Himalayan poppies that you will not forget! Say hello to the staff; they are in love with their jobs (as most people in botanical gardens are).
A Book:
Her Hidden Genius
Author: Marie Benedict
Historical Fiction. When studying high school biology, the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA has always been attributed to two scientists, James Watson and Francis Crick. Rosalind Franklin was an extraordinary scientist in a man’s field, and her meticulous studies of the secret of life revealed without doubt the structure of DNA. Watson & Crick received the Nobel Prize in 1962, and Dr. Franklin was never recognized, even though her X-ray work and photographs were likely used by Watson and Crick. That we have never heard of her says volumes. The book was an enjoyable read; Benedict does not lose us in scientific details – but simply shines a little light on one of the most important discoveries in science and the people who made it happen. I recommended “The Personal Librarian” a number of months ago, another excellent book by Marie Benedict.
A Show:
Slow Horses, Apple TV
I am not even sure how to describe this show except to say that Gary Oldham, the slovenly yet brilliant lead character of a dysfunctional MI-5 team, is worth the time. It is a grubby spy series in which Oldham’s agents usually get everything wrong but somehow win the day. Oldham’s iconic Jackson Lamb, a crusty old curmudgeon left over from the Cold War, is more than enough reason to binge the first season (there are now 3 seasons). This is not a series to watch if you want a lot of action, nor if you want a handsome hero riding into the sunset, but I am betting you will be quickly hooked.
A Place:
Jekyll Island, GA
One of the barrier islands of the coast of Georgia, Jekyll is a place for quiet walks on the beach, bicycle rides around the island, or simply watching the sunset. It is not a place to go for nightlife, fine dining, or a ton of activities. However, visiting the Sea Turtle Center, where sea turtles are rescued and rehabilitated, or walking on Driftwood Beach, where driftwood monuments have come ashore, is unforgettable. If a relaxing beach holiday is on your schedule, you will enjoy this Golden Isle
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my list of May Favorites
California Spring Trials 2024
Each year, ornamental plant breeders from around the world gather in California to demonstrate their new introductions which will find their way to garden centers, box stores, and other plant outlets. This year, I travelled with colleagues from a national magazine (Greenhouse Grower) from Los Angeles to San Jose, viewing new introductions from at least twenty flower breeders along the way.
We saw hundreds of beautiful annuals, perennials and shrubs and I had the difficult task of writing about those plants that truly caught my eye. Here are a few; I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the future.
Remember, these plants will not be on the market until next year, 2025.
Each year, ornamental plant breeders from around the world gather in California to demonstrate their new introductions, which will find their way to garden centers, box stores, and other plant outlets. This year, I traveled with colleagues from a national magazine (Greenhouse Grower) from Los Angeles to San Jose, viewing new introductions from at least twenty flower breeders along the way.
We saw hundreds of beautiful annuals, perennials, and shrubs, and I had the difficult task of writing about those plants that truly caught my eye. Here are a few; I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the future.
Remember, these plants will not be on the market until next year, 2025.
Hydrangea Game Changer series (Green Fuse Botanicals)
Hydrangea ‘Game Changer Pink’ From GreenFuse
I have had it up to my eyeballs with mophead and lace-cap hydrangeas (H. macrophylla). Too much water, die back with late freezes, need shade or they wilt, need sun or they flower poorly. It is no wonder that panicle hydrangeas have taken over the hydrangea market in many areas of the country. Even with remontant hydrangeas like the Endless Summer series, they are often fleeting and poor of flowering. If what Steve Jones tells me is so, then this lace-cap hydrangea series will be a gamechanger. Here is a hydrangea that blooms on new wood and keeps on blooming all season. I looked at the inside of the plant and two new stems, each with a potential flower head were waiting in each leaf axil. Colors were stunning.
Hydrangea Game Changer ‘Picotee’
Check out this video on Greenhouse Grower to learn more.
Angelonia Guardian series (Ball FloraPlant)
A dozen series of fine angelonias have been introduced in the last ten years and all have had their moments. I liked the strong, bullish stems of plants in this series; they were not going to be pushed around by rain or wind. They are tall, and useful for a backdrop behind other plants. Perhaps I am being optimistic, but I also believe they are strong and tall enough to be used as a cut flower. The flowers are large and close together on the flower stems. Two colors, Berry Sparkler and Blue.
Coleus ‘Skeletal’ (Kientzler)
Coleus seem to be everywhere. They look wonderful in the sun, in the shade, in large floral beds, containers and window boxes. So, how can yet one more coleus catch my eye? Take a look at the photo and ask if you would not look at it twice. The rose colors on the limb-like leaves look like a drying skeleton. It may not be the most beautiful coleus your customers have ever seen, but it will make them look, then look again. I can see this as a stand alone or in mixed container. It’s really a cool plant.
Canna ‘Cannova Gold Leopard’ (American Takii)
Cannas have come a long way and are well established as mainstream plants. Takii has always been a leader in seed-propagated cannas, and now they have outdone themselves once again. The beautiful golden petals are covered with orange speckles and oh my, these plants are stunning. The plant is midsize in height, and fits in well with the rest of the Cannova family.
The links below provide the full list of my and Julie's (editor of Greenhouse Growers) favorites.
I Simply Remember These Favorite Things with Dr. A, March 2024
I Simply Remember These Favorite Things, and then I Can Smile All Day.
March 2024
A Plant:
Lungwort - Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria ‘ Roy Davidson’ at Niagara-on-the-Lake
The term “wort” means looks like or is useful for, and for early plant taxonomists, the spotting on the leaves resembled the alveoli of the lungs; thus, the pulmonary system was honored. This is an excellent shade-tolerant perennial that loves the cold (it can be aggressive in Montreal) but also does well in almost all climes. There are dozens of choices: splurge and buy three.
A Garden:
The chateau at Villandry is spectacular and well worth a walkthrough, but the gardens are stunning. Yes, they are way over the top, but the oohs and aahs you will be muttering as you look at the formal gardens, the vegetable gardens, and their sheer size will soon be a loud chorus. The vegetables alone are out of this world, as are the ornamentals, but the incredible designs of the grounds and the amount of labor that goes into this garden is what you will remember. France is a wonderful destination, but get out of Paris and go down to the Loire Valley.
A Book:
Gaining Ground, a story of farmers’ markets. local food and saving the family farm.
Author: Forest Pritchard
Nonfiction. After discovering that five freight car loads of his hard-grown corn netted a profit of $18.16, a young Forest Pritchard vowed to save the family farm. He makes decisions that are not popular with his family and essentially turns normal agricultural practices on their heads. This is not a book about farming but about family, small victories, and saving a lifestyle. The book is well written with a good dose of humor, and in the end, I walked away with inspiration and hope.
A Show:
Navillera (from Korea, Netflix)
I recommended this show in November of 2022. I had no plans to repeat myself until our book club decided to recommend streaming shows as well as books. To a person, everyone was entertained and touched. The Korean dialog and English subtitles take a few minutes to get used to but believe me, you will quickly forget that you are reading rather than listening.
There are no bullets, murders, or dark secrets, but a feel-good (yet complex) show of a 70-year-old retired mailman who wants to fulfill his childhood dream of being a ballerina. It sounds crazy, but for me, this is the second-best streaming show I have ever watched.
A Place:
Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY
I spent a lovely day in Port Jefferson in Suffolk County, Long Island. If you spend time in LI or the city, this is a relaxing and laid-back part of the Island. Originally known for its shipbuilding, Port Jef (pop, ~8,000) now sports excellent accommodations and restaurants, and walking about the town is a pleasure.