C. L. Fornari's Blog

Bringing Houseplants Back Inside

It's time for my houseplants to come home from summer camp. Like most campers, they are happy to be home, but arrive needing a shower and perhaps a change of clothing. Here's my routine: I clip off any browned leaves before the plant comes in. While cleaning them off...

I Love Helenium autumnale aka common sneezeweed or Helen’s flower.

Name:    Helenium autumnale aka common sneezeweed or Helen’s flower. Type of Plant:  This summer to fall flowering perennial is native to much of North America. Hardy in zones 3-8, there are many named cultivars of different sizes and a range of colors in oranges and...

I Love Ceratostigma plumbagionoides aka blue leadwort or plumbago.

Name:  Ceratostigma plumbagionoides aka blue leadwort or hardy plumbago.   Type of Plant: a low-growing, perennial ground cover hardy in zones 6-9. Dies to the ground in the winter. Why I Love this Plant: First of all, this perennial is later to emerge in the spring,...
I Love White Thyme

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...

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Homemade Rabbit Repellent

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...

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I Love Garden Rhubarb

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...

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In Praise of Chopped Salad

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,...

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Chard: Many Reasons to Love

Chard: Many Reasons to Love

Imagine:  “Spinach doesn’t grow well for me,” he said. “No matter,” she responded, “there’s a better vegetable we can grow." “Yes?” he asked,...

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