C. L. Fornari's Blog

I Love Silene coronaria aka Lychnis coronaria aka Rose Campion

Name: Silene coronaria aka Lychnis coronaria aka Rose Campion Type of Plant: A cottage garden plant that is grown as an annual, biennial or short-lived perennial. This is a self-seeding plant and well suited to informal, or field-style gardens. It prefers full sun and...

I Love Citrus meyeri aka Meyer Lemon Improved

Name: Citrus meyeri aka Meyer Lemon Improved Type of Plant:  A dwarf variety of lemon tree that produces rounder, more seed free fruit that has a distinctly floral fragrance. In warm areas where these can be planted in the ground, the trees can grow to 6 feet or...

I Love Laurus nobilis aka Bay Laurel

Name: Laurus nobilis aka bay laurel Type of Plant: This evergreen tree, native to the Mediterranean, is most popular for the bay leaves that we use in cooking. Those who live in Zone 8 – 10 can grow this slow-growing tree in their gardens where they can get quite tall...
A Postcard From Zinnias

A Postcard From Zinnias

In addition to the information on this postcards, Zinnias want you to know that it's best to plant them in full sun and soil where there is good drainage. If you pick them frequently, they will continue to flower...

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I Love Hydrangea Bobo

I Love Hydrangea Bobo

Name:  Hydrangea paniculata Bobo (aka Hydrangea paniculata 'Ilvobo') Type of Plant: This is a dwarf Hydrangea paniculata, a shrub we’ve all been...

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Zucchini Noodles With Pesto

Zucchini Noodles With Pesto

I was shopping in Whole Foods and saw some noodle-cut veggies. The zucchini called to me. I quickly cooked these in about 3" of boiling water that...

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Baked Cauliflower Cutlets

Baked Cauliflower Cutlets

Cauliflower is a versatile veggie that can go in any ethnic direction for flavoring, and can be used to create vegetarian main or side dishes. It...

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Knowing What Plants Do

I got a call yesterday from someone who was puzzled about some shrubs that weren't doing well. She called them "cherry laurels" (Prunus...

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A Well Mannered Violet

A Well Mannered Violet

In past posts I've made it clear that I don't want common violets (Viola odorata) on Poison Ivy Acres. I will periodically spot a flowering plant or...

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Naming A Property

Naming A Property

Martha Stewart's house in Maine is called Skylands, Oprah Winfrey calls her California property Promised Land, and the late Roald Dahl lived in...

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What We Treasure

What We Treasure

When I was going into the 7th grade my family moved from Muncie, Indiana to Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Instead of the one-day drive north, however,...

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Words To Live By

Words To Live By

There are times when we need to speak up, be bold, suggest new approaches and plant differently. It's not always appreciated, welcomed or accepted....

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