Gold brings color of sunshine to landscape
MINNEAPOLIS - Prince’s hometown offers many places where fans can pay homage on the anniversary of his death, from his favorite record store to the humble house used in his Oscar-winning “Purple Rain” film.
Paisley Park, his massive, gleaming white studio and performance complex, was turned into a museum soon after his death on April 21, 2016. A “celebration” planned there for April 20-23 with panel discussions, concerts and tours is mostly sold out. But don’t worry, there’s plenty more to see.
This is a must, even if it’s just a drive-by to see the sprawling place rise up from the flatlands in Chanhassen, an easy 20-mile drive from downtown Minneapolis. Guided tours average 70 minutes and include rooms where Prince created some of his biggest hits. A work in progress, the museum recently added a room to display costumes and other artifacts from his “Lovesexy” album and tour.
Optional add-ons include a VIP tour of extra rooms, a photo opportunity, Friday night dance party and Sunday brunch featuring some of his favorite foods.
Much has been made of Prince’s Paisley Park-shaped urn. It was moved from the main atrium at the family’s request to a frosted high-walled fixture above a little kitchen where he sometimes watched TV.
Photos and video are strictly prohibited on all tours.
First Avenue & 7th St. Entry
This downtown club in a former Greyhound bus depot remains a mecca for Prince fans and an indie rock hot spot. There are guided tours, though most were sold out ahead of the April 21 anniversary. A separate entrance and fee gets you inside the club where Prince played several times, including his first time in 1981 when it was called Sam’s and in 1983 when he unveiled a longer version of his ballad “Purple Rain.” That gig was recorded, including the mega-hit that became his signature and other songs used in the film.
Brick walls outside are adorned with painted, white stars for other artists who played there. Prince’s star stands out in gold.
Prince frequented the Electric Fetus record store. He visited just days before he died, on Record Store Day, April 16, tweeting: “FETUS, THANX 4 THE TUNES! ROCKED STEVIE’S TALKING BOOK ALL THE WAY HOME! #RecordStoreDay,” to which Electric Fetus replied: “Thanks 4 coming in today and
Not all golden plants are pretty, I’ll grant you. But when someone tells me they don’t like gold foliage, I’m flabbergasted.
Some of the most breathtaking plants I own are golden. Aralia “Sun King,” and anisetree “Florida Sunshine” are a couple that I find myself buying again and again to take to family and friends so they may share the pleasure.
There likely will be plenty of activity surrounding the golden form of Thunberg spirea called “Ogon” at this year’s home and garden shows. It isn’t just the beauty with these plants, it’s their tenacity that makes them succeed easily for most gardeners. I often tell people of an old Thunberg spirea that grows by a big concrete block on our farm that I used as a step to climb on my black mare Diamond. Less kindly, I sometimes tell people that it is a plant that will still be thriving long after they are gone.
Back to pretty, though — I am not fond of all golden plants. On some the color looks sickly rather than lemony, or garish rather than glowing. On others, it may be that the gold foliage is temperamental, scorching easily in hot, dry weather or strong sun. I’m not a delicate girl and I don’t appreciate a delicate plant. My schedule can be very erratic, so I am guilty occasionally of both overwatering and underwatering. Give me a plant that powers through a little abuse!
In that vein, two conifers that will be in the sale have made the team. One is a groundcover juniper that we came across several years ago, Juniperus conferta “All Gold.” At that time, it was difficult to find in the trade, but now is available under the trademarked name Golden Pacific. It never gets more than 15 inches tall but will cover several square feet in a few years. The foliage has a soft, almost feathery texture, and though the golden hue dims in winter to a light green, it is still attractive, and has performed admirably.
“Jantar” is an arborvitae that is now being marketed as Amber Gold due to the seasonal color change from amber in winter to its bright summer tones. It’s been a beautiful plant in our gardens, with a striking narrow growth habit, expected to be 3 feet wide and 15 feet tall at maturity. For more information and photos, please check out our Facebook page: UT Gardens Jackson
Carol Reese is ornamental horticulture specialist for the Western District of the University of Tennessee Extension Service.