C. L. Fornari's Blog
DIY Wedding Flowers
I had a conversation with someone today who needed options for a DIY wedding. I told her about my book on the topic of garden weddings, of course,...
Garden Destination: Pittsburgh, PA
I had never been in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators held their annual meeting there in 2014. But I'm...
Must-See Garden Destinations
Going through my photo library recently I realized that I've gone to some absolutely thrilling garden destinations in the past few years, and want...
I Love California Poppies
Imagine: She said, “The gravel driveway and path are fine, but couldn’t there be something green and growing here? Why can’t there also be flowers?”...
I Love Thuga ‘Green Giant’ aka Green Giant Arborvitae
Imagine: “What tall growing plant can we use that won’t require frequent pruning or get bare on the bottom of the trunk?” she asked. Name: Thuga...
Calamondin Citrus Margarita
Yes, January 22 is indeed National Margarita day. So I decided to put a houseplant citrus spin on this drink and create a margarita using the...
Sedum ‘Pure Joy’ is Indeed Pure Joy
Imagine: Although the most common variety of sedum was called ‘Autumn Joy,’ it never brought happiness to her heart because it flopped open and...
Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival 2018
Interested in participating or learning more about the Fourth Annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival? If you answered YES, you are invited to...
I Love Our Native Clethra
Name: Clethra alnifolia aka summer sweet, sweet pepperbush, or just plain clethra. Type of Plant: A shrub that’s native to this area and grows well...
The Kings and Queens of Foliage Color: Rex Begonias
I LOVE These Plants! Got shade? You need this begonia. Name: Begonia rex aka rex begonias Type of Plant: An extremely useful tropical plant that you...
Dear, Delightful, Delicious Dahlias
Name: Dahlia varieties. Type of Plant: An annual that grows from tubers. A heat-lover from Mexico. There are many varieties from short to medium and...
How Can You NOT Love A Plant Called Hearts a Bustin’
Name: Euonymus americanus aka Hearts a Bustin’ Type of Plant: A native Euonymus shrub appreciated for its open habit, drought tolerance and fall...
What Every Gnome Knows
No words are necessary here...
How Can You NOT Love Papaver rhoeas – The Red Common Poppy?
Name: Papaver rhoeas aka corn poppy, Flanders poppy or common poppy. Type of Plant: This is an annual poppy. The seeds germinate in the spring, the...
I Love Basil ‘Pesto Perpetuo’
Name: Ocimum × citriodorum (aka Ocimum x africanum or Ocimum citriodorum) 'Pesto Perpetuo' aka variegated basil Type of Plant: No matter what you...
I Love Euphorbia milii
Name: Euphorbia milii aka crown of thorns Type of Plant: A thorny, woody plant that is commonly sold as a houseplant in all parts of North America....
A Plant That Brightens Your Life – Inside and Out
Name: Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’ aka variegated corn plant. Type of Plant: A houseplant in northern climates but a broadleaf evergreen in...
One Of The Best Summer Squash Varieties To Grow
Imagine: On Thanksgiving day I just might have started a new tradition. In between putting the turkey in the oven and prepping the potatoes and...