I Simply Remember These Favorite Things with Dr. A~ March 2025
March is upon us. Those in the Sunshine states are watching daffodils peek through the soil, maybe even opening. Those further North are hoping for continued warming but know that winter has not yet given up her grasp. Cheer up, here are a few favorite things to help lift your spirits.
A Plant - Flowering almond, Prunus glandulosa
Before you throw up your arms and tell me you can’t grow this, allow me to respond that “most of you can.” This early flowering shrub (not a tree) is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and puts up with high humidity and poor soils.
It is one of the earliest plants to flower in the garden, showing color at the first few days of warmth, and is stunning even when temps are chilly but not freezing. In my garden, it is in full flower right now.
I look forward to the crocus and grape hyacinths coming up (as disappointing as they can be) but while they are struggling, I am enjoying my flowering almond. BTW, don’t expect any nuts, it simply won’t happen.
A Garden - Morris Arboretum and Gardens, Philadelphia, PA
It is almost gluttonous how Philadelphia and the area wear the mantle of the Public Garden Center of the country. Dozens of wonderful venues, including Longwood Gardens, Chanticleer, and Mt Cuba, all of which I have mentioned before in this column, can be visited.
Morris Arboretum and Gardens (aka The Morris) stands proudly among those I have written about and is one of the finest arboretums in the country. Dating back to 1887, John and Lydia Morris always intended that the grounds and gardens they were establishing would one day be a public institution devoted to learning. In 1932, the gardens were bequeathed to the University of Pennsylvania and, a year later, opened to the public.
It is an outstanding venue with spectacular trees. Don’t miss the Katsura tree, one of the largest in North America, the 100’ tall dawn redwood, and dozens more trees that will stop you in your tracks. If you love trees, you will love The Morris.
However, the various gardens, such as the Rock Wall Garden, the lovely Flower Walk, and the English Park make for wonderful walking.
A Book -Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening
Author: Carol Wall
Non-Fiction
A garden is transformed, but this is not a book about gardening. This is a book that will open your heart to the good in the world, found in the unlikeliest places. Carol Wall is a white woman in a very neighborhood in white Middle class America. Her children are grown, her parents are aging, and she is at a bit of a crossroads. Mister Owita is from Kenya and bags groceries at the supermarket. It also turns out that he gardens for her neighbor.
Carol is not an easy person to like; she hires Mister Owita to clean up the yard and get rid of her azaleas but believes he knows little and has nothing to add. However, they forge the most unlikely of friendships and share stories, many of which are profoundly moving.
Mister Owita is one of the most gracious characters to ever hit the written page.
As I read reviews of this wonderful book, I could not help but agree with one such description, “a poignant tale of an unlikely teacher and a doubting student, who, by bringing a neglected patch of ground back to life, reveal the secrets of reclaiming, restoring, and freeing a wounded soul. It is a generous story filled with grace enough to bring healing to the reader as well.”
A Show/Movie- The Diplomat
Finding a streaming show that is entertaining over a period of time is not always easy. Perhaps I have been writing this for a little too long, but I am having a bit more difficulty recommending shows as time goes on. However, The Diplomat has turned out to be entertaining, suspenseful, and with a wonderfully talented cast.
It is the continuing story of a career diplomat tasked to be the ambassador to the UK, a job she is wholly unprepared for. Domestic and international crises quickly raise their heads, yet the storylines are handled well and keep you coming back for more.
Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, Alison Janney, and especially the British prime minister, Rory Kinnear, are fabulous. Two seasons have been aired, and a third one is to come. Netflix.
A Place - Channel Islands, UK.
Guernsey
War Memorial, Guernsey
Whatever is on your bucket list, make room for a visit to the Channel Islands. This archipelago of 7 inhabited islands and a number of uninhabited ones is found in the English Channel, much closer to France than to England. They are not part of England, but rather, they are Crown, meaning that England is responsible for their defense and international relations. Regardless, the main islands of Guernsey and Jersey are vibrant, beautiful, and easy to spend a few days. The islands of Sark, Herm, and the tiny islet of Brecqhou are quite spectacular.
Beaches, gardens, friendly people, wonderful accommodations, and reasonable prices await. It is relatively easy to get a ferry to the main islands of Guernsey and Jersey, but you better enjoy ocean ferry travel if you want to get to the smaller islands. However, it will be a trip you shall not forget.
St Peter Port, Guernsey
St Peter Port, Guernsey
Some recommendations
From readers based on last month’s issue. Dr A reads everyone and will get back with you.
Barnsley House and Garden
From Denise Schreiber
“Allan, one of my most memorable trips was to England and Wales with 2 friends. We each created a list of gardens we wanted to visit and we each had a job to do as well. My job was to rent a car since the places we wanted to visit weren't necessarily on train lines. We arrived in England at Gatwick airport and taught ourselves to drive on the wrong side of the road in the parking lot. From there we were off. We started at the Priory at Kemerton and visited Wisley, Kew, Barnsley, Great Dixter, Powis Castle, Bodnant Garden, Stourhead, Mottisfont Abbey where I got the inspiration for my book on edible flowers, Sissinhurst, Hidcote and Blenheim Palace. There were some fabulous memories created on this trip including 2 that stand out. We had written to Barnsley asking to visit on a day that they were closed and we got permission. When we arrived, we were greeted by "the Americans are here, the Americans are here! Mrs. Verey is expecting you!" That afternoon we were treated to a personal tour of the garden by Dame Rosemary Verey and her son Charles. As we toured the garden, they were very proud of their vegetable garden and we walked under the laburnum arches where she told us that her husband had designed it with river rock on their side so you would take your time to walk through the garden rather than hurrying through it. At Stourhead which was once owned by Henry Hoare, the richest man in England at the time, it is a garden filled with rare trees, archways, follies, bridges and lakes and a temple where I took a break and sat down enjoying the view of the lake. It was incredibly peaceful. Decades later the movie Pride and Prejudice was partially filmed there and the temple was where Mr. Darcy first proposes to Elizabeth Bennet in the pouring rain. I am so glad to have all of these memories that will never leave me.”
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