Today's postcard reminds us that whether it's to our liking or not, it's a good policy to not make an enemy of the weather. And if we're talking about a stretch of rainy days, it's really not a good idea to complain,...
Savoring The Rain
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C. L. Fornari's Blog
Garden Vegetable Pasta
One of the favorite dishes in my house is a pasta made with fresh vegetables from the garden. In this version, The basics of what we call "Summer...
I Love Basella alba, aka Malabar Spinach
Name: Basella alba, aka Malabar Spinach Type of Plant: A fast growing, soft-stemmed vine that can reach 8 to 10 feet in one summer season. Not a...
I Love Lilium orientalis, aka Oriental Lilies
Name: Lilium orientalis, aka oriental lilies Type of Plant: A summer-flowering bulb, usually hardy in Zones 4-9. There are many named cultivars...
I Love Caryopteris × clandonensis aka Bluebeard or Blue Mist Shrub.
Name: Caryopteris × clandonensis aka bluebeard or blue mist shrub. Type of Plant: A short shrub (typically 20-30” tall and a bit wider) with pale,...
I Love Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMNHPRZEP’ aka Zinfin Doll®
Name: Hydrangea paniculata 'SMNHPRZEP' aka Zinfin Doll® Type of Plant: This is a panicle type hydrangea with large, impressive flowers. It is hardy...
I Love Thunbergia alata, aka Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Name: Thunbergia alata aka black-eyed Susan vine Type of Plant: Annual vines in colder areas (winter hardy in Zones 10-11) that grow quickly and...
I Love Daucus carota aka Queen Anne’s Lace
Name: Daucus carota aka Queen Anne’s Lace Type of Plant: A biennial plant, meaning that it sprouts and grows one year, blooms the next, and then it...
I Love Gladiolus aka gladiola
Name: Gladiolus aka gladiola Type of Plant: Flowering stalk that grows from a corm. Grown as an annual in colder climates but may winter-over in...
I Love Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Golden Arrow’
Name: Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Golden Arrow’ Type of Plant: Perennial hardy in zones 4-7, compact in height and about as tall as it is wide. (20”...
July Perennial Garden Tweaks & Touchups
If you've got mid-summer flowering perennials in your garden, chances are the flowerbed is looking pretty nice right now. The daylilies and...
I Love Lathyrus odoratus, aka Sweet Peas
Name: Lathyrus odoratus, aka Sweet Pea Type of Plant: Annual vine, grown from seeds. Why I Love This Plant: They are sweet in all phases, and the...
I Love the Wee White Hydrangea
Name: Invincibelle Wee White® Hydrangea, aka Hydrangea arborescens 'NCHA5' USPP 30,296, Can 6,345 Type of Plant: A small variety of our native...
How To Stake Flopping Peonies and Hydrangeas
Here is a method for staking peonies and hydrangeas: both have very large flowers, and these blooms can pull the stems down, especially after a...
My Gardens During the 2022 Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival
My gardens are open from 10 AM to 4 PM on Sunday July 10th, Monday July 11th and Wednesday the 13th. Cost is $5 per person, with proceeds going to...
I Love Lysimachia punctata aka Circle Flower
Name: Lysimachia punctata aka circle flower or yellow loosestrife. Type of Plant: A very hardy perennial for sunny gardens that flowers in...
Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival
It's almost here! The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival is a celebration of summer gardens. There are open private gardens and events Cape-wide. I'm doing...
I Love Persicaria polymorpha aka Giant Fleece Flower
Name: Persicaria polymorpha aka Giant Fleece Flower Type of Plant: A large, June-flowering perennial that’s hardy in Zones 4 to 9. Why I Love This...
I Love Physocarpus Sweet Cherry Tea
Name: Physocarpus Sweet Cherry Tea Type of Plant: A type of ninebark shrub that has dark purple-to-bronze foliage and pinkish/white flowers in...