C. L. Fornari

A Thank You Note To My Garden

Nov 23, 2018 | Gardens

As I finished my sermon for Sunday at the UU Church of Barnstable, I was reminded of this post I wrote on Whole Life Gardening a few years ago. It’s a long overdue thank you note. Dear Gardens, Yesterday I was reminded that sending you a note of appreciation is...

I Love Gaultheria Procumbens, aka the Native Wintergreen.

Nov 17, 2018 | Love This!

Name: Gaultheria procumbens aka wintergreen. Type of Plant: A low-growing, evergreen groundcover that is native to the Northeast. Why I Love/Hate this plant: This is an interesting plant. First of all, it’s useful at this time of year when many garden centers sell it...

I Love The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Nov 10, 2018 | Love This!

Name: Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) Type of Plant: A large growing houseplant that is quite trendy right now. Why is it popular? Because the foliage is impressive: large and dark green. This plant is native to western Africa where it grows in the tropical rainforest....

An Appointment With Plants

Nov 5, 2018 | Lifestuff

When a friend or acquaintance says, “Let’s set a date.” I write it down so I won’t be late. I dutifully type it in on the schedule, With workdays, engagements, and other essentials. But to me the purpose of this written agenda, Moves past doctor’s visits and lunches...

I Love the ‘Leccino’ Olive Tree

Nov 3, 2018 | Love This!

I usually feature plants that people in the Northeast can grow. But since I just returned from Italy, this tree is on my mind. Name: Olea europaea ‘Leccino’ aka the Leccino olive, the plant that makes the fruit that is used to make Italian olive oil Type of Plant: A...

I Love Ostrich Fern

Oct 20, 2018 | Love This!

Name: Matteuccia struthiopteris aka ostrich fern, or fiddlehead fern Type of Plant: This fern is native to several parts of the world including eastern North America. They are very hardy and will grow in part to full shade in all types of soil as long as the area is...

Native Groundcover For Wet Areas

Oct 13, 2018 | Love This!

Name: Chrysogonum virginianum ~ aka goldenstar, or green and gold Type of Plant: Low growing perennial for part shade to full shade that flowers heavily in May and sporadically through the rest of the summer. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love Chrysogonum because it’s...

I Love Ornamental Cabbages and Kales

Oct 6, 2018 | Love This!

Name: Ornamental Cabbages and Kales Type of Plant: Annuals for planting in the fall that will last and be colorful (in most areas) into January. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love ornamental cabbages and kales because they add great color and last so long in the...

I Love The Brown Turkey Fig

Sep 29, 2018 | Love This!

Name: Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey Type of Plant: This fig tree is one of the hardiest but it best grown in pots in the Northeast if you want to harvest figs. Why I Love/Hate this plant: An easy plant to grow as long as you’re willing to pull the pot into a garage...

A Thornless Blackberry For Trellises, Arbors and Buildings

Sep 22, 2018 | Love This!

Imagine: A trellis or arbor filled with long canes filled with small, pinkish white flowers in June…but the fun doesn’t stop with the flowers – in August that same structure is dripping with blackberries…and not a thorn to be seen. Name: Rubus Doyles Thornless...