C. L. Fornari's Blog
I Love The Climbing Onion Houseplant
Name: Bowiea volubilis aka the climbing onion Type of Plant: This member of the lily family is from South Africa and is a favorite “pass along house...
Low-Growing, Native Perennial: Houstonia purpurea
Name: Houstonia purpurea, aka Hedyotis purpurea aka Venus's pride Type of Plant: This is a low-growing perennial that is native to the Eastern...
I Love Wooly Thyme
Name: Thymus pseudolanuginosus aka wooly thyme Type of Plant: A low growing perennial herb hardy in zones 5 to 8. This is not the thyme used for...
I Love Berried Treasure Red Strawberry
Name: Frageria ananassa aka Berried Treasure Red Strawberry from Proven Winners Type of Plant: This is a perennial strawberry that flowers...
Tuscan Kale: A Must-Grow Vegetable
Name: Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' aka Tuscan Kale Type of Plant: This vegetable is one of the easiest to grow and longest producing plants in the...
Early Morning Stories
There was just a dusting of snow on the ground when I went outside this morning, but that small change in the look of the landscape alerted me that...
I Love Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Name: Kalanchoe daigremontiana aka mother of thousands Type of Plant: This is a succulent that is grown as a houseplant in cold climates. It’s...
I Love Red Burgundy Okra Plants
Name: Abelmoschus esculentus aka red burgundy Okra Type of Plant: Okra comes from northern Africa, and this red version was developed at Clemson...
I Love Rosmarinus officinalis, aka Rosemary
Name: Rosmarinus officinalis, aka rosemary Type of Plant: One of the most useful herbs to grow. A hardy shrub or groundcover in zones 8 and above,...
A Thank You Note To My Garden
As I finished my sermon for Sunday at the UU Church of Barnstable, I was reminded of this post I wrote on Whole Life Gardening a few years ago. It's...
I Love Gaultheria Procumbens, aka the Native Wintergreen.
Name: Gaultheria procumbens aka wintergreen. Type of Plant: A low-growing, evergreen groundcover that is native to the Northeast. Why I Love/Hate...
I Love The Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Name: Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) Type of Plant: A large growing houseplant that is quite trendy right now. Why is it popular? Because the...
An Appointment With Plants
When a friend or acquaintance says, “Let’s set a date.” I write it down so I won’t be late. I dutifully type it in on the schedule, With workdays,...
I Love the ‘Leccino’ Olive Tree
I usually feature plants that people in the Northeast can grow. But since I just returned from Italy, this tree is on my mind. Name: Olea europaea...
I Love Ostrich Fern
Name: Matteuccia struthiopteris aka ostrich fern, or fiddlehead fern Type of Plant: This fern is native to several parts of the world including...
Native Groundcover For Wet Areas
Name: Chrysogonum virginianum ~ aka goldenstar, or green and gold Type of Plant: Low growing perennial for part shade to full shade that flowers...
I Love Ornamental Cabbages and Kales
Name: Ornamental Cabbages and Kales Type of Plant: Annuals for planting in the fall that will last and be colorful (in most areas) into January. Why...
I Love The Brown Turkey Fig
Name: Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey Type of Plant: This fig tree is one of the hardiest but it best grown in pots in the Northeast if you want to...