I Simply Remember These Favorite Things with Dr. A, April 2024
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