I Simply Remember These Favorite Things with Dr. A’s October 2024
A Plant - Large yellow salvia, Salvia madrensis
I have admired this large fall-flowering salvia here and there for some time. Unfortunately, few gardeners know of this plant and the fact that it does not flower until the fall makes it even more difficult to buy at the local nursery.
Regardless, it is relatively easy to find online. Once purchased, it should be planted in a sunny place in the garden in the spring. It may put out a few flowers after planting, but remove those to allow vegetative growth all season. If you plant it sufficiently early, you can take cuttings a month later—they root easily, and you can increase your planting without decreasing your pocketbook.
They will grow 4-6’ tall and, once they begin flowering, will continue until frost. That they flower so late may be a problem for northern gardeners who experience frosts in early October.
After all is said and done, plants are annuals. But they provide great bang for the buck.
A Garden - Mount Stewart, County Down, Northern Ireland
Winter will soon be upon us, and perhaps you will be thinking about doing some overseas travel in 2025. Ireland is a wonderful place to visit; spectacularly beautiful, lovely people and easy to get around. There are many gardens worth a visit, but I recommend going north into Northern Ireland and visiting Mount Stewart.
I have spoken about dozens of great gardens over the years and invariably I am asked to choose my favorite. Mount Stewart is definitely in my top five! The house itself is beautiful, being home of the Marquesses of Londonderry for over 250 years but strolling through the magnificent plantings will leave you in awe.
The Italian garden, the Shamrock garden, the bloody hand of Ulster, Mairi garden, the Walled garden the Sunken garden and on and on – and the trees …. Fabulous.
This is a National Trust garden, and information and prices are easily accessible.
A Book -Anxious People
Author: Fredrik Backman
Fiction
Fredrik Backman happens to be one of my favorite authors, having written exceptional books like A Man Called Ove (Favorites, January 2023) and Bear Town. He weaves a story often with suspense and always with humor. Anxious People is an easy read.
I don’t want to spoil how it starts, but it continues as the thwarted bank robber bursts into an apartment open house and takes a group of strangers hostage. The grievances, hurts, passions and secrets of the hostages and the robber become intertwined and the book takes turns you never expect. While it sounds a little “far out” at times, I found it a wonderful read.
My lovely friend, Kelly Garcia, just swooned over how delightful this story is when she learned it was this month’s favorite book. The surprising twists at the end are completely unexpected, and like all of Backman’s books, the characters, even the most curmudgeon-ly ones, are ultimately the most loveable.
Anything by this author is worth the time.
A Show/Movie- Wonder - Netflix
This month I am recommending a movie (or the book if you prefer) that was released in 2017. I like to choose more timely show/movies but having only recently watched it, I wanted to remind you of it as well. I read the book many years ago but when friends suggested I watch the movie, I was captured all over again.
Aggie Pullman was born with a facial disorder that prevented him from entering mainstream schools. He was home-schooled until he was ready to enter the fifth grade. The story follows Auggie and his family as he is initially teased and bullied by some of his classmates, then finds a friend and then another. Slowly Auggie brings out the compassion and acceptance of others and becomes an unlikely hero in the tale.
The story, however, is much more than just Auggie's struggles. His parents and, particularly, his older sister are very much part of the changes going on in Auggie’s evolution.
If you wish to watch a feel-good movie, I believe you will enjoy Wonder. By the way, a sequel, White Bird, has recently been released. I have not yet seen it.
A Place - St Michael’s Mount, Marazion, Cornwall, England
Traveling to the island by foot during low tide.
I could just as easily put this in the great gardens to visit category, but this is a place that even if you have no interest in a garden, you will want to go there.
This small island is situated on the south coast of Cornwall, off the small town of Marazion - and is accessible by foot in low tide, but only by boat in high tide. Once on the island, a walk to the top of the castle, while somewhat exhausting provides otherworldly views of the world beneath.
Steeped in history, bathed in beauty and captured in myth, a trip to The Mount is well worth your time.
Some recommendations from readers based on last month’s issue.
Recommendations from our readers:
If you are ever in the Seattle area and love gardens, you should make a point to visit the Bloedel Reserve. I first visited this garden 30 years ago and never forgot it. So I was thrilled to see it again recently, and it certainly lived up to my memories! Many new features were added, especially beautiful natural trails that wind through meadows and woodlands. Highlights include the Moss Garden and the Japanese Garden. The manmade structures are gorgeous, too, and fit perfectly with their surroundings. Don't expect an abundance of flower color; this garden is meant to be a peaceful, natural retreat. In fact, you must purchase a timed ticket so there are never too many visitors at once. The garden is on Bainbridge Island and can be reached by ferry or by car.
~Robin Siktberg, Editor of The Cut Flower Quarterly from the ASCFG
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