C. L. Fornari's Blog
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...
I Love Pentas Lanceolata aka Star Flower
Name: Pentas lanceolata aka star flower Type of Plant: Perennial in Zone 10 to 11 but an annual in most of the USA. Grows best in full sun. Why I...
In Praise of Life Week – December 26th to 31st
Here we are, in the middle of the week between Christmas and the New Year. In most businesses, this is a commonly viewed as a pause in the action,...
Making Ice Mobiles
When the temperatures are staying below freezing, it's time to make ice mobiles! All you need are some pieces of your houseplants, some plastic...
I Love Rosa ‘Meibenbino’ aka The Petite Knock Out Rose
Name: Rosa ‘Meibenbino’ aka The Petite Knock Out Rose Type of Plant: A miniature shrub rose with red flowers and the same ease and disease...
I Love Chlorophytum Comosum aka Spider Plant
Name: Chlorophytum comosum aka spider plant Type of Plant: A very common houseplant, probably because it’s easy to grow and propagate. Native to...
Filling Urns With Winter Branches
Last year I planted my urns with living plants such as hellebores, Osmanthus and ornamental cabbages, but this year I decided to go with sticks....
I Love Impatiens capensis aka jewelweed
Name: Impatiens capensis aka jewelweed Type of Plant: A native annual plant (let’s not call it a weed) that grows 2 to 4 feet tall and flowers in...
I Love Eruca sativa aka Eruca versicaria subsp. sativa, aka arugula or roquette
Name: Eruca sativa aka Eruca versicaria subsp. sativa, aka arugula or roquette Type of Plant: A leafy green annual grown for great taste and...
I Love Calendula Officinalis aka Pot Marigold
Name: Calendula officinalis aka pot marigold Type of Plant: Annual plant that has edible flowers, commonly growing 1 to 2 feet tall. This is not...
Still Loving Capsicum baccatum Mad Hatter F1 hybrid pepper
Name: Capsicum baccatum Mad Hatter F1 hybrid pepper Type of Plant: A vigorous pepper plant that grows well in northern areas and bears lots of...
I Love Fagus grandifolia aka American beech
Name: Fagus grandifolia aka American beech Type of Plant: A large tree that’s native to Eastern North America, with shiny dark green leaves in...
I Love Nicotiana mutabilis aka Nacotiana ‘Marshmallow’
Name: Nicotiana mutabilis aka Nacotiana ‘Marshmallow’ Type of Plant: An annual in colder climates, a perennial in Zones 8 to 10. Self-seeding,...
I Love, And Ask You To Appreciate, Prunus virginiana aka Choke Cherry
Name: Prunus virginiana aka choke cherry Type of Plant: A tree native to much of North America. It’s one of the most important trees for wildlife,...