C. L. Fornari's Blog
A Green Flower For Cutting
Name: Alchemilla mollis aka lady’s mantle Type of Plant: A low growing perennial with lime green flowers in May, June and early July. Why I Love...
A Hardy Impatiens For Shade Gardens
Imagine: A perennial for shade that isn’t a hosta or a fern! Can you imagine? After growing this hardy impatiens, we can say that it isn’t necessary...
The Pleasures of Pulling Weeds
All my GardenLine and Plantrama listeners would love an easy way to rid their gardens of weeds. And frankly, if there were a product, tool or magic...
What Can I Plant For Fragrance?
Imagine: You walk through your landscape from late-June through mid-July and you’re greeted by sweet perfume. When you drink your morning coffee...
I Love White Thyme
Imagine: You need a groundcover for a sunny slope or similar dry area. You want it to be very low, fast growing but not invasive. Impossible? Not at...
A Weed Smothering, Elegant, Drought Tolerant Perennial for Shade
Imagine: I can’t do a consultation for someone with a shade garden without the following plant name coming out of my mouth: Epimedium. Followed...
Top 10 Reasons To Come to Ithaca for the Solstice 2018
Top 10 Reasons for Garden Communicators to Celebrate The Solstice in Ithaca NY In reverse order, David Letterman style: #10 It’s the end of June!...
An Easy, Tall Blue Flower For Late Spring: Camassia
Imagine: You say you want a cutting garden with plants that come up every year? You can grow that! But be sure to plant Camassia… Name: Camassia...
I Love The Kanzan (aka Kwanzan) Cherry Tree
Imagine: Pink clouds have descended from the heavens and upholstered the trees with flowers. Bubblegum pink. And the foliage, in celebration, takes...
To The Person Who Stole Plants From My Yard
Here’s what I think: You are a person who likes plants and gardens. What you took from me has no resale value, so you undoubtedly stole these plants...
What Plant Will Grow In A Stone Wall?
Imagine: “These are difficult places to grow plants,” he said. “This path and wall are hot in the summer. There isn’t much root room in this...
Homemade Rabbit Repellent
This is a repellent to spray on plants to keep rabbits from eating them. It is only for ornamental plants, not for edibles. (Do not use this on your...
10 Reasons I Hate Leyland Cypress
Imagine: “We need some screening plants, so we’re buying Leyland cypress,” she said. “Why Leyland cypress?” I asked. “Because they grow quickly,”...
I Love Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart
Imagine: “I need plants that will make me smile,” my friend said. “No problem,” I replied. “Let’s start with bleeding heart.” Name: Lamprocapnos...
I Love Garden Rhubarb
Imagine: She wanted to serve a special meal to celebrate the spring season. Fresh asparagus, of course, and a salad of spring greens accented with...
I Love Weigela florida ‘Variegata’
Name: Weigela florida ‘Variegata’ aka the variegated weigela. Type of Plant: Weigelas are easy to grow, low maintenance shrubs for full sun. Note...
In Praise of Chopped Salad
I love a chopped salad. There are any number of ingredients you can use to create a side dish or a main meal. And with a few staples in the freezer,...
A Plant For Gardening Large
Imagine: Having a garden where large, mauve flowers blow in the breeze and butterflies flit among the blooms. Going native? Go big. Name: Eupatorium...