C. L. Fornari's Blog
Allium schubertii – Here Comes The Fun
Imagine: As they sat around the firepit at their friends’ new house, the conversation turned to the landscaping. “I want to have plants back here...
My Open Gardens & The Hydrangea Festival
Updated 7/13/17 The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival has three more days to go. This event is ten days when we celebrate lovely gardens, hydrangeas, and...
“Mom! We Have To Save The Monarchs!”
Imagine: Her kids came home from school all excited about a science program that had been presented in the auditorium. “Mom! We have to help save...
Weeding Meditation
One of the questions I frequently get on the radio goes something like this: "How do I get rid of the weeds that are in the cracks of my patio?" The...
Vegetable Garden in Late June
We are finally at the time of year when I can walk into the garden and ask, "What's for dinner?" Lettuce, peas, broccoli rabe, and heads of broccoli...
Eryngium ‘Big Blue’ – not boring, not pink
Imagine: Garden Designer’s Diary, June 23 The client said she wanted unusual plants in her garden. “I’d like pods, and grasses and quirky things I...
The Glorious Kousa Dogwood
Name: Cornus kousa aka the kousa dogwood Type of Plant: A small tree that’s native to Asia but grows so well in Zones 5 to 8. There are a few...
In My Gardens ~ Week of June 5
It was a cool and damp month of May at Poison Ivy Acres and the first four days of June continued in the same mode. This is fine with me, because...
Tree Peonies
Imagine: The early morning sun streamed into Karla’s yard as she stood with her morning coffee, contemplating the space around the patio. She...
Saponaria Ocymoides, aka Creeping Pink Soapwort
Imagine: I pictured a sea of color below some grasses. I needed a plant that would do well despite the fact that half of the area it would be...
Growing Sunflowers
Imagine: When I first moved to Poison Ivy Acres the front entry to the house was a lawn. That’s all, just a lawn. I knew I wanted a flower garden...
I Hate Rhododendron ‘Blue Baron’
Imagine: Yes indeed. Imagine a plant that looks fantastic in the garden center when it's fresh from the grower. But that plant is out for just one...
Fragrance Under The Bedroom Window
Imagine: Carla loved to sleep with the window open. For her, the arrival of spring wasn’t announced by daffodils or tulips, but by her ability to...
Cook Every Day
One of my favorite things is a linen dishtowel from Studio Patro, in San Francisco. I don’t know if they still make it, but if not you should email...
Cyperus papyrus, aka King Tut Papyrus
Imagine: Cheryl was feeling especially stressed. She had projects due at work, the kids had upcoming dentist appointments and dance lessons, and...
What is Wrong With My Hydrangea Leaves?
This is the question I asked myself for three years. The first year I noticed the brown-gray "knitted" look on my leaves I thought it was wind...
Crowdfunding A Garden Festival
For the past six months I’ve tried to enlist the help of larger plant companies to help cultivate the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival, but have had no...
Picking Treasure: I love Highbush Blueberries
Imagine: Frank planted over 45 blueberry bushes on the corner of his property almost 25 years ago. Originally he planned for these to be picked by...