C. L. Fornari's Blog
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...
David, Goliath, and the Negative Nosy Neighbor ~ A Weed Story ~
David was thrilled with his new house. After years of renting, this was the first home he’d ever owned. He loved the size (small), the location (on...
Soil Amendment From The Top Down
People often ask about fertilizing in the spring, but many ignore how Nature fertilizes and amends soil. There is no little Fertilizer Fairy...
Hellebore House
People who live in neighborhoods with sidewalks are so lucky. It's easy to walk past area yards and gardens, and appreciate plantings that might...
Spring Equinox
Today is the first day of spring. In some parts of the world spring weather has come and gone. In others it is in full bloom, while in the more...
‘Raspberry Rose’ Hibiscus – A Stunning Plant
Imagine: “I need a plant that will be huge in July and August,” she said, looking out her kitchen window at the back patio. “But it can’t be there...
GWA – A Crowdsourced Poem
I belong to GWA: The Association For Garden Communicators. It is the group for those who write, speak, teach, blog, photograph or otherwise...
A Violet That Doesn’t Take Over
Imagine: Sandra’s beloved dog, Violet had died. Sandra cried every time she walked into the house and Violet wasn’t there to greet her. She cried...
How to Stake A Flopping Peony – Attractively!
Faced with a peony with heavy flowers falling into the dirt, must gardeners stick a heavy stake in the back and wrap a cord around the circumference...
Saving Something Small
When I saw a hummingbird in my Massachusetts garden shortly before Thanksgiving, I did what many 21st Century gardeners would do: I posted a photo...
Tiger Eye Sumac Love
Imagine: “I want more color in the gardens,” she said. “No problem,” he replied. The next day when she got home there was a flock of pink flamingos...
Make a Garden Lighthouse
I decided to revisit the instructions I wrote a few years ago for creating a lighthouse garden ornament using a galvanized chicken feeder. You can...
Planning A Cutting Garden
You want to be able to cut a few flowers and stick them in a row of bottles above your kitchen sink. Perhaps you want to snip some colorful blooms...
I Love American Holly
Imagine: Beth and John loved the stand of American holly trees in their backyard. On summer evenings the light grey trunks were visible as they sat...
Flowers in February
If you like picking small bouquets for the house, you don't have to give up this practice just because it's the middle of winter. In many parts of...