Deciduous plants have evolved to be all about surviving the winter. We humans often describe ourselves as "hunkering down for the winter," and perhaps we have learned this from plants that shed their leaves in the...
C. L. Fornari's Blog
I Love Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’ aka Major Wheeler Honeysuckle
Name: Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’ aka Major Wheeler honeysuckle Type of Plant: A variety of our native vine, Lonicera sempervirens, that...
I Love Heath and Heather
Name: Heath (Erica cinerea) and Heather (Calluna vulgaris) Type of Plant: These two plants are commonly called “heather” but they are two...
Gnomeinkulture
Move over hugelkulture and hay bale gardening…there’s a far better, centuries-old way to create productive gardens with the practice of burying of...
What A Wonderful Weed
I see rosettes of green In lawns and gardens too They are healthy food For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful weed. Apologies to...
I Love Mountain Magic Tomatoes
Name: Mountain Magic Hybrid Tomato Type of Plant: This F1 hybrid tomato is larger than a cherry but smaller than the typical sandwich slicer…but...
I Love Viola x wittrockiana aka Spring Pansies
Name: Viola x wittrockiana aka Spring Pansies Type of Plant: The most popular cool-weather annual. Why I Love This Plant: For those in the...
Spring Foraging on Cape Cod
Join us! Nationally known forager, Ellen Zachos, is on-Cape in April for a class on spring foraging. (Note: Rain date is Thursday the 20th)
I Love Borago officinalis aka Borage
Name: Borago officinalis aka Borage Type of Plant: An annual herb native to the Mediterranean. Why I Love This Plant: While this plant is grown on...
I Love Eurybia divaricata aka White Wood Aster
Type of Plant: Perennial that’s native to the Eastern North America, hardy in zones 3 to 8 Why I Love This Plant: This is a groundcover plant, one...
I Love Hybrid Primrose
Name: Hybrid Primroses Type of Plant: These gift plants are widely sold at this time of year to remind us that spring is coming. They are bred for...
I Love The Princess Anne David Austin Rose
Name: Princess Anne Rose from David Austin Type of Plant: This is an English shrub rose that grows about 4 feet tall and wide, with flowers that...
I Love the Drift Series of Roses
Name: Drift Roses Type of Plant: Low-growing, disease resistant, and repeat flowering shrub roses from Star Roses and Plants Why I Love This Plant:...
See You In Seattle!
Ellen Zachos and I are pleased to once again be recording a live edition of Plantrama at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. We'll be...
Create it, Write it, Plant it, Make it Grow
Words to live by.
I Love Mitchella repens aka Partridge Berry
Name: Mitchella repens aka partridge berry Type of Plant: A low-growing, evergreen native perennial that is hardy in Zones 3 to 8. Why I Love This...
I Love Amsonia hubrichtii aka Threadleaf Blue Star
Name: Amsonia hubrichtii aka Threadleaf Blue Star Type of Plant: A native perennial that flowers in early June on Cape Cod. Growing to about 3’...
Cape Cod Seed Starting Guide
A visual guide for when seeds get started on Cape Cod and the Islands.
I Love Impatiens walleriana Beacon®
Name: Impatiens walleriana Beacon® Type of Plant: The free-flowering, grown from seed Impatiens you have long known and loved, with one huge...

















