CL Fornari

Top 10 Reasons To Come to Ithaca for the Solstice 2018

May 30, 2018 | Garden Travel

Top 10 Reasons for Garden Communicators to Celebrate The Solstice in Ithaca NY In reverse order, David Letterman style: #10 It’s the end of June! The mad planting rush is over and you can finally ease up a bit and enjoy the growing season. Time to celebrate by leaving...

An Easy, Tall Blue Flower For Late Spring: Camassia

May 26, 2018 | Gardens

Imagine: You say you want a cutting garden with plants that come up every year? You can grow that! But be sure to plant Camassia… Name: Camassia leichtlinii Pronounced kuh-MASS-ee-uh liked-LINN-ee-eye The variety called Blue Danube is widely available. Type of Plant:...

I Love The Kanzan (aka Kwanzan) Cherry Tree

May 19, 2018 | Love This!

Imagine: Pink clouds have descended from the heavens and upholstered the trees with flowers. Bubblegum pink. And the foliage, in celebration, takes on a reddish hue as it erupts from the stems to applaud the show. The Kanzan Cherry Trees are in bloom. Name: Prunus...

To The Person Who Stole Plants From My Yard

May 15, 2018 | Lifestuff

Here’s what I think: You are a person who likes plants and gardens. What you took from me has no resale value, so you undoubtedly stole these plants for yourself or for someone you are close to. You probably justified this theft by thinking something like, “She has so...

What Plant Will Grow In A Stone Wall?

May 12, 2018 | Love This!

Imagine: “These are difficult places to grow plants,” he said. “This path and wall are hot in the summer. There isn’t much root room in this stonewall, and the soil is sandy under the stepping stones on this path. What could possible grow here?” he asked. “You need a...

Homemade Rabbit Repellent

May 6, 2018 | Gardens

This is a repellent to spray on plants to keep rabbits from eating them. It is only for ornamental plants, not for edibles. (Do not use this on your vegetables or fruits.) Rabbits are herbivores – they are vegans. They don’t eat animal products. Therefore...

10 Reasons I Hate Leyland Cypress

May 4, 2018 | Gardens

Imagine: “We need some screening plants, so we’re buying Leyland cypress,” she said. “Why Leyland cypress?” I asked. “Because they grow quickly,” she answered. “Don’t do it,” I said. Name: Leyland Cypress aka Cupressus x leylandii Type of Plant: A fast growing...

I Love Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart

Apr 27, 2018 | Love This!

Imagine: “I need plants that will make me smile,” my friend said. “No problem,” I replied. “Let’s start with bleeding heart.” Name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis aka Dicentra spectabilis aka bleeding heart or old-fashioned bleeding heart. Type of Plant: This is a very...

I Love Garden Rhubarb

Apr 21, 2018 | Love This!

Imagine: She wanted to serve a special meal to celebrate the spring season. Fresh asparagus, of course, and a salad of spring greens accented with pansies. But how to start things off? And what about dessert? Then her eyes settled on the rhubarb plant, and she...

I Love Weigela florida ‘Variegata’

Apr 14, 2018 | Love This!

Name: Weigela florida ‘Variegata’ aka the variegated weigela. Type of Plant: Weigelas are easy to grow, low maintenance shrubs for full sun. Note that the “florida” part of it’s botanical name isn’t referring to the state, but to the number of flowers that the shrub...