I Simply Remember These Favorite Things, and then I Can Smile All Day
March is the month when I can’t decide whether I need
sunscreen or a snow shovel
A Plant - Verbena Homestead Purple Annual/Perennial
Verbena Homestead Purple 2, Mt Cuba, Aug, 2022
I have been receiving glowing reports about this plant since it was introduced in the early 1990s from an old rundown homestead near Athens, Georgia. It was the first vegetatively-propagated verbena that tolerated heat, cold, drought, and floods. It is an annual in the upper Midwest and Canada, but it has surprisingly hardy genes as it makes its way into the mid-Atlantic. It is an excellent border plant, great in containers, and even as a ground cover.
Flowering begins early in spring and continues for most of the season. If it starts to look a little long in the tooth, in the heat of the summer, just cut it back, provide a little fertilizer, and get out of the way.
Verbena hybrid 'Homestead Purple', Barryscourt Castle
A Garden - Keukenhof
Keukenhof, April, 2022
I have been fortunate to see many beautiful gardens, and am often asked my favorite. In truth, there are so many lovely places, it is difficult to come up with a typo then, let alone one. However, if one asks me to choose the greatest bulb garden, I don’t hesitate to recommend Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, Holland. In fact, it is a beautiful park, with handsome trees and walking paths, but in the spring, you won’t believe the beauty in front of you. Tulips, grape hyacinths, crocus, daffodils, and irises are flowering in many colors and sizes.
You will know I am not exaggerating when I tell you that about 7 million flower bulbs are planted each year. When was the last time you rambled around 7 million flower bulbs? The bulb garden is only open to the general public from mid-March to mid-May, the peak being mid-April. It is an easy day trip from Amsterdam and well worth booking (it is immensely popular, so get there early).
Keukenhof, April, 2022
"In March the earth remembers its own name.
Everywhere the plates of snow are cracking.
The rivers begin to sing." '
- Mary Oliver
A Book
Marriage at Sea
Author: Sophia Elmhirst
Non-Fiction
Sometimes when you read non-fiction, you are not really sure the point of the story. There is no confusion on this one; the story is based on a truly unique couple who decide to leave England behind, build a boat, and sail across the world. When I say unique, Maurice is moody, eccentric, and lacks confidence. Maralyn is the exact opposite: outgoing, brave, and pragmatic. “Love, when it works, can feel like such a terrifying fluke”. That was the case with these two.
They took off in a 31-foot boat called Auralyn and all went well, until it didn’t. On the way to the Galapagos, their yacht was struck by a whale and started to take on water. They transferred what they could into a life raft and dinghy, and within an hour, they watched their ship sink. The book is divided into before, during, and after their time in the raft and dinghy. Their survival story competes with any others I have read; the two of them eating turtles, seabirds, and fish caught with safety pins. They were afloat in the South Pacific Ocean, surviving hunger, thirst, sickness, skin sores, and the frustration of passing ships that never saw them - for nearly 4 months! Think of that; 119 days on a leaking life raft with nothing but the ocean. The story of their survival is really all about Marilyn, without whom Maurice would have quickly given up and died. (he gives her all the credit for staying alive).
They were eventually rescued and became worldwide heroes, and that is the last part of the book. We discussed this book at our book club, and we all agreed that it was a fascinating read. And all agreed we would have perished.
For another good review, go to https://cristinasanders.me/2025/11/27/a-marriage-at-sea-book-review/
A Show/Movie- The Bank of Dave Movie
What a terrific movie. One of my favorite British actors, Rory Kinnear, plays a van salesman who lends money to people trying to start businesses in the town of Burnley in the northwest of England. When some of those businesses started making money, they asked Dave to reinvest their gains for them. Burnley has seen better times, and people very much appreciate what Dave does, but to keep on providing these small loans, he needs to start a community bank. To do that, he must obtain a banking license, and here is where the battle begins. He confronts London’s elite and highly protective financial institutions - institutions that have not allowed a new license in over 150 years. They are not about to grant one to a van salesman from Burnley.
His battle with the banking elite leads to interactions with a London lawyer, a junior doctor, help from Burnley FC, a premier professional club, and a cameo appearance from the rock band Def Leppard. It sounds a little convoluted, but the most interesting part is that the movie is based on the true story of Dave Fishwick. Truth is stranger than fiction, and often far more interesting.
A Place - Homer, Alaska
Homer vista, Alaska July 2008
Everyone should visit Alaska, whether by car, boat, train or, as becoming ever more popular, by joining a tour. There are wilderness areas, beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers and coastline, to say nothing of lovely Anchorage and its many sights. They all have something to recommend them, but one of the neatest places I have been to is Homer. I was invited to talk about plants and gardens in Homer, and while they were wonderful, the people and the community were even better.
Homer lies on the Kenai peninsula, about 4-5 hour drive southwest of Anchorage, and the drive is spectacular. It is in every “Great Drives” magazine as one of the prettiest anywhere. The town itself, is in view of spectacular mountains, pretty homes, museums, beaches and great fishing. We spent a couple of days there, missed a few scenic shots because of the fog, but oh my it is lovely. And if you want to see how fast plants can grow and how the long, long days of summer affect plant size, take a walk around town.
I am not sure any of my friends in Homer will read this, but I am ready for another walkabout.
Homer Alaska Garden with Glacier in View
A Recommendation from our Readers
Great selections this month. Thank you.
Recently enjoyed The Correspondent. Loved a visit to Arches many years ago. Epimedium is a treasure.
Haven’t made it to Philly in a long while.
Two books you might appreciate:
1. The Garden of Evening Mists or House of Doors both by Tan Twan Eng , Set on the Malay Peninsula pre and post WWII. May have been shortlisted for the Booker.
2. Seed to Dust by Marc Hamer, a moving meditation on life, gardening, and connection.
As I have mentioned, maybe more than once. Theo of Golden is a beautiful book, and I found myself only wanting to be a better person while reading it. It is at the top of so many book lists this year and was recommended by two of my lovely readers last month. If you haven’t read it, go grab a copy today! It’s short and wildly sweet!
Thank you, Jean Rexroat & Chris Clement, for the reminder of this lovely book.
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