C. L. Fornari's Blog
I Love Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
Name: Crocosmia x Curtonus ‘Lucifer’ aka Crocosmia Lucifer Type of Plant: A perennial plant that loves a full sun, hot location, and is hardy in...
Broccoli Makes Tiny Heads
"My broccoli only produces small heads!" many of my radio callers say. "What's wrong?" New gardeners also ask about their broccoli producing lots...
I Love Clinopodium nepeta
Name: Clinopodium nepeta, aka Calamintha nepetoides, aka Calamintha nepeta subspecies nepeta, aka (are we tired yet?) lesser calamint. Type of...
Calling All Garden Geeks
Plant Geek, Garden Freak. Landscaper, Outdoor maker. Gardener (Master) Grower of Aster. Designer of Flowers, Builder of Bowers. Veggie Grower, Turf...
How To Preserve Garden Grown Carrots
Got garden carrots? Roast and freeze them!
Garden Rooms
Last night it was great fun to be the guest host of #gardenchat on Twitter. If you're not familiar with it, this is a world-wide conversation about...
I Love Golden Rain Tree
Name: Koelreuteria paniculata - aka the golden rain tree Type of Plant: A fairly fast growing shade tree, hardy in zone 6-9, that’s known for nice...
Are You An Outdoor Influencer?
Want to learn more? Ask me, or check out the GWA webpage.
Flower Report Mid-August
I love the Sunday night #FlowerReport that is hosted by @alyssaharad. Sometimes there are so many people posting pictures of what's in bloom in...
Zucchini Lasagna
In summer squash season there are many yummy ways to cook your garden produce. One way is to use summer squash instead of lasagna noodles. You...
Plants For A Small Container
Small, Sweet and Not Much Root Room There are times when we not only need a small plant for an equally tiny container, but when we'd like to have a...
I Love Sambucus – Elderberries
Name: Sambucus nigra or canadensis aka elderberry. S. nigra is the European elder, and the S. canadensis is the native plant that’s considered to...
Cocktail Hour Garden Recipe #1
A Container Garden for Balconies or Small Patios Not everyone has room for extensive flower, herb and veggie gardens but that doesn't mean that you...
When Life Gives You Downy Mildew…
Make Pesto! Yes, once again our Italian basil is rapidly moving from robust growth to a premature death due to basil downy mildew. (Read all about...
Grandma’s Favorite Annuals
I once read that when you see a plant described as "Grandma's Favorite!" in a catalog or on a seed packet, you should know that what this really...
I Love Rudbeckia triloba
Name: Rudbeckia triloba Type of Plant: A tall, biennial, or short-lived perennial black-eyed Susan with small, cheerful flowers. This plant may...
A Beautiful Veggie Garden? You Can Grow That!
As I wandered through the vegetable garden at Tower Hill Botanical Garden last night, I was thinking about how satisfying it is to be in a lovely...
Mixed Greens Pesto Pizza
In the summer vegetable season there are so many possibilities when you go into garden and ask, "What's for dinner?" One of my favorites is to make...