C. L. Fornari's Blog
My Panicle Hydrangeas on Sept 4th
Panicle Hydrangeas In Early September. On September 4th I took a tour of Poison Ivy Acres, photographing every panicle hydrangea that was in flower...
I Love Ixora coccinea
Name: Ixora coccinea aka jungle geranium or flame of the woods. Type of Plant: A shrub in tropical areas (zones 10-11) but a summer tropical pot...
I Love Clethra alnifolia aka Summersweet or Sweet Pepperbush
Type of Plant: A shrub that’s native to the northeast, also known as sweet pepperbush. Hardy in Zones 3-8, and happy to grow in sun or shade as...
I Love Lespedeza thunbergii
Name: Lespedeza thunbergii including varieties such as 'Gibraltar' Type of Plant: Often called a bush clover, this is a shrub in warmer climates...
I Love Nepeta x faassenii ‘Balpurrlu’ aka Whispurr Blue catmint
Name: Nepeta x faassenii 'Balpurrlu' aka Whispurr Blue catmint Type of Plant: A perennial plant that’s hardy in zones 4a to 9a. Why I Love/Hate...
I Love Hydrangea paniculata – Panicle Hydrangeas!
Name: Hydrangea paniculata –panicle hydrangeas! Type of Plant: These are the white to pink flowering hydrangeas that are in or approaching full...
I Love Cercis canadensis ‘JN2’ aka The Rising Sun Redbud
Name: Cercis canadensis ‘JN2’ aka The Rising Sun Redbud Type of Plant: A small tree with heart-shaped leaves. Growing slowly to 8 to 12 feet...
I Love Allium hybrid ‘Serendipity’
Name: Allium hybrid ‘Serendipity’ Type of Plant: A mid-summer flowering perennial plant hardy in zones 4 – 8. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I...
I Love Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ aka Royal Purple Smoke Bush
Name: Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ aka Royal Purple Smoke Bush Type of Plant: A large bush or small tree…but accept that it’s going to get...
I Love Rhododendron ‘Weston’s Lemon Drop’
Name: Weston’s Lemon Drop Azalea aka Rhododendron 'Weston's Lemon Drop' Type of Plant: A July-flowering, deciduous azalea with fragrant yellow...
I Love Sweet Potato Vine, Ipomoea batatas
Name: Ipomoea batatas, aka sweet potato vine Type of Plant: In the northeast region this plant is an annual. There are varieties available with...
I Love Nassella tenuissima aka Mexican feathergrass
Name: Nassella tenuissima aka Mexican feathergrass, formerly known as Stipa tenuissima. Type of Plant: This is a very soft, fine textured low grass...
The Summer Weeds are Back!
At the end of June, gardeners might assume that once the vegetables and annuals are planted, they can sit back and relax. After all, you pulled...
I Love Veronica spicata Royal Candles aka Royal Candles speedwell
Name: Veronica spicata Royal Candles aka Royal Candles speedwell Type of Plant: A perennial that’s hardy in zones 4 to 8, that flowers in early...
Why Doesn’t My Blue Hydrangea Bloom ~ A GardenLady Graphic
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...
I love Paeonia lactiflora, the garden peony
Name: Paeonia lactiflora aka the garden peony Type of Plant: A low-maintenance, early summer flowering perennial plant that does best in zones 4...
I Love The Rieger Solenia Series Begonias
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...
Containers: Transitioning From Spring To Summer
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...