C. L. Fornari's Blog
My Personal Sign That It’s Spring
Recently, on a local gardening group Facebook page, I posted a photo of a skunk cabbage flower poking up out of the soil. I said that this was how I...
Plant A Tabletop Spring Garden
Let's face it. Often spring is a tease. "I'm here! I'm gone! I'm back...wait, not yet!" We are bounced from 60° days to 15° nights in a blink of an...
I Love Narcissus ‘Tête-à-tête’
Name: Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête’ aka tete-a-tete miniature daffodils Type of Plant: This early flowering spring bulb is a mini-daffodil that is...
I Love the Weeping Alaska Cedar
Name: Weeping Alaska Cedar, aka Xanthocyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’, formerly known as Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ (and oh my goodness...
I Love Alchemilla mollis, aka Lady’s Mantle
Name: Alchemilla mollis, aka Lady’s Mantle Type of Plant: This is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows in sun or part-shade and is hardy in Zones...
How To Grow Blue Hydrangeas
I was doing a Zoom presentation for a group last week, and one of the questions from an attendee was about his blue hydrangea. "It never flowers,"...
I Love Cilantro, aka Coriander, aka Coriandrum sativum
Name: cilantro, aka coriander, aka Coriandrum sativum Type of Plant: An annual herb used around the world in a variety of dishes. Why I Love/Hate...
How To Grow Vegetables In Containers
If you don't have space or adequate sunlight to grow your vegetables in the ground, containers are the next best option. You can grow edibles in...
I Love the Peace Lily aka Spathiphyllum
Name: Peace Lily aka Spathiphyllum species and varieties Type of Plant: This is a tropical, broad leaf evergreen that is a very commonly sold...
I Love Kalanchoe luciae aka flapjack plant or paddle plant
Name: Kalanchoe luciae aka flapjack plant or paddle plant Type of Plant: A succulent with large, round, stalkless leaves. Why I Love/Hate this...
I Love Alocasia varieties
Type of Plant: Alocasia is a broad-leafed tropical plant that has dramatic, striking foliage. These do well as houseplants and outdoors in the...
I Love Dendrolycopodium obscurum, aka princess pine.
Name: Dendrolycopodium obscurum aka Lycopodium obscurum, aka ground pine or princess pine. Type of Plant: This is a club moss that is native to...
I Love Caladium
Name: Caladium Type of Plant: A tropical plant that’s grown as an annual in northern gardens. Why I Love/Hate this plant: Heart shaped leaves, a...
I Love Hosta ‘June’
Name: Hosta ‘June’ Type of Plant: A Hosta variety that offers a weed smothering shade plant, blue/lime/sage-green colors, and low-growing height....
I Love Lagenaria siceraria aka Birdhouse Gourd
Name: Lagenaria siceraria aka bottle gourd, calabash or birdhouse gourd Type of Plant: An annual vine that produces gourds that can be made into...
I Love Crassula ovata aka Jade Plant
Type of Plant: A succulent shrub in warm climates, and a houseplant in colder areas, the jade plant is native to South Africa. The genus name comes...
I Love Epigaea Repens, aka Trailing Arbutus
Name: Epigaea repens, aka trailing arbutus or mayflower Type of Plant: Low-growing, evergreen native plant that has small, pinkish-white flowers in...
I Love Green Wave Mustard
Name: Green Wave Mustard Type of Plant: An easy to grow green for the garden that is cold-tolerant and delicious. This is a green to grow from seed...