C. L. Fornari's Blog
Saving Dahlia Tubers
In the fall the dahlia's are the best flowers in the cutting garden. But even as they are in their glory, it's time to think about saving them...
A Tree That Flowers in Fall
Name: Franklinia alatamaha – aka the Franklin tree Type of Plant: Small tree or multi-stemmed large shrub that’s hardy in zone 5 – 8. This plant...
A Small Vine For The Edible Landscape
Name: Basella rubra aka Malabar spinach Type of Plant: A tropical vine that can grow to about 6 feet tall in one growing season. Although this is...
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ – a classic large shrub
Name: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ aka peegee hydrangea, or panicle hydrangea. Type of Plant: A large growing shrub – one of the first...
Oh Happy Day…the Tomato, Not The Song
Name: Oh Happy Day Hybrid Tomato from Burpee Type of Plant: A “junior beefstake” type tomato. Indeterminate, 4-5 oz fruit (in other words, medium...
Why Isn’t My Moonflower Blooming?
Like many others, I plant moonflower (Ipomoea alba) in the early summer to fill a small trellis with a quickly growing annual vine. I anticipate the...
A Plant That Plays Well With Others
Name: Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers’ aka quilled petal black-eyed Susan Type of Plant: This is a perennial that’s native to the USA. This...
A Perennial for Pollinators, Butterflies and Bouquets
Imagine: Emma gazed out over the field in front of their new house. "Honey, wouldn't it be great to plant a butterfly meadow out there?" she asked....
Wonderful Sambucus aka Elderberry
Imagine: This week's story is true. Yesterday I went up to the large elderberry bush at the top of our cutting garden. This year's berry production...
The Cocktail Hour ~ Farmed & Foraged
You are invited to join Ellen Zachos and me at a special in-the-garden event on August 27th, 2017. Download a printable PDF here.
Not A Plant For Control Freaks…
Imagine: Fran loved her purple angelica. When it came into flower in mid summer and the bees crowded into the blooms, she smiled. But her husband,...
Growing Super Food in the Garden
Imagine: Paul harvested his garlic and raked the area where it grew. It was mid-summer and he suddenly had a large, empth area in his vegetable...
A Smaller Vine That Blooms All Summer
Imagine: They wandered through the perennial vines at the garden center, looking at climbing hydrangeas, honeysuckle and wisteria. “These are grow...
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...