CL Fornari

Why Doesn’t My Blue Hydrangea Bloom ~ A GardenLady Graphic

Jun 12, 2021 | Gardens

I’ve written many a blog and social media post about why blue hydrangeas don’t flower. You can read one of them here. But I’ve always had it in mind to put this in a graphic form, and today was the day! You can get a printable pdf of this graphic by...

I love Paeonia lactiflora, the garden peony

Jun 11, 2021 | Love This!

Name: Paeonia lactiflora aka the garden peony Type of Plant: A low-maintenance, early summer flowering perennial plant that does best in zones 4 through 7, but can live in a zone 3 or the cooler parts of zone 8. Why I Love/Hate this plant: This plant has many fine...

I Love The Rieger Solenia Series Begonias

Jun 4, 2021 | Love This!

Name: Begonia X Hiemalis aka Rieger begonias aka the Solenia Series Begonia Type of Plant: Begonias that are a cross between the wax begonias and the tuberous begonia, producing a plant with a larger flower that can be grown in sun or shade. Why I Love/Hate this...

Containers: Transitioning From Spring To Summer

Jun 3, 2021 | Gardens

On March 26th I planted two urns with spring flowers and perennials. I used pansies, dianthus, English daisies and a Heuchera in each urn. It was an act of faith, since even April can be quite cold on Cape Cod, but it was also an expression of joy. Spring was here,...

I Love The Arctic Fox Rose Foxglove

May 28, 2021 | Love This!

Name: Digitalis hybrida ‘Balroxose’ aka foxglove Arctic Fox Rose Type of Plant: Upright perennial plant that grows 18” to 24” tall and 12” to 16” wide. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9. Why I Love/Hate this plant: First of all, know that I love all foxgloves, especially...

I Love Tall Alliums

May 21, 2021 | Love This!

Name: Allium species and hybrids Type of Plant: A bulb that produces round flowers on the tops of tall stems in the late-spring or early-summer. There are several species and hybrids available. Some have open, lacy flowers and others have full, globes of flowers....

I Love Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’ aka golden leaf bleeding heart

May 14, 2021 | Love This!

Name: Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’ aka golden leaf bleeding heart Type of Plant: A perennial for part shade that’s hardy in zones 3-9. Why I Love/Hate this plant: The golden foliage is brilliant in the spring, and the string of hanging, heart-shaped flowers are...

I Love Maianthemum canadense aka Canada mayflower or wild lily-of-the-valley

May 7, 2021 | Love This!

Name: Maianthemum canadense aka Canada mayflower or wild lily-of-the-valley Type of Plant: A low-growing forest floor plant that is native to the Northeastern United States and Canada. Don’t confuse this with the plant that we in Massachusetts also call mayflower,...

I Love Spirea thunbergii ‘Ogon’ aka Ogon spirea.

Apr 30, 2021 | Love This!

Name: Spirea thunbergii ‘Ogon’ aka Ogon spirea. Type of Plant: This is a shrub that has several valuable traits. It stays under 5 feet tall, flowers for several weeks in the spring, and has thin, golden to lime-green leaves all summer. Hardy in Zones 4-8 Why I...

I Love Doronicum orientale aka leopard’s bane

Apr 23, 2021 | Love This!

Name: Doronicum orientale aka leopard’s bane Type of Plant: A spreading perennial for sun to part shade. Hardy in Zones 4-8, and blooms with bright yellow daisies in late-spring. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love this plant because the foliage appears in April and...