C. L. Fornari's Blog
I Love Maxibel Green Beans
Name: Phseolus vulgaris Maxibel – aka the Maxibel green bean Type of Plant: A bush bean that produces haricot vert style beans, thin and tender....
How to Remember What You’ve Planted
I've had several queries by email recently from gardeners who have forgotten what they planted. Some of these are from people who are new to veggie...
Growing Hydrangeas in Containers
You say you live where it's cold, so the blue hydrangeas you plant never flower? Do you want to grow mophead or lacecap hydrangeas but you're just a...
Why Isn’t My Blue Hydrangea Flowering?
This is the most frequent question I'm asked on my radio programs, and lately I've been getting several emails a day as well. We love the blue...
I Love Flower Carpet Pink Splash Rose
Name: Rosa x ‘Noasplash’ aka Flower Carpet Pink Splash Type of Plant: A shrub rose that’s hardy in Zones 5-10 for growing in full sun. Why I love...
Gardener Vs. Chipmunk
I grow several annual poppies that self-seed around the garden. Since I want them to return each year, I leave the pods in place so that the seeds...
I Love Hydrangea Invincibelle Spirit II
Name: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Invincibelle Spirit II’ Type of Plant: A shrub for sun or part-shade that produces pink hydrangea flowers from...
Gardens On Tour
On Friday the second annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival opens. This year there are over 80 gardens on tour Cape Wide, for the benefit of local...
I Love Nepeta ‘Walkers Low’
Name: Nepeta racemosa ‘Walkers Low aka walkers low catmint Type of Plant: A perennial for full sun that flowers from late-May into July in the...
Grace and the Unexpected
Last week I returned home after being with my mother at the end of her life. It was, of course, a time of great sadness and reflection. Once home,...
I Love Hemerocallis ‘South Seas’
Name: Hemerocallis ‘South Seas’ aka the South Seas daylily Type of Plant: A perennial for full sun that flowers from mid-July into August. Hardy in...
Attractive Critter Protection
The area under a bird feeder is a heavily traveled zone. Birds, squirrels, chipmunks, fox and wild turkeys are routinely seen under my feeder and...
In Praise of Alliums
Last May I had the pleasure of being in P. Allen Smith's gardens at Moss Mountain. (Bucket list advice: attend a workshop or go on one of his open...
My Veggie Garden Problem Solvers
This is the time of year when many of my callers/clients are asking "What's wrong with my_______?" Fill in the blank with the vegetable plant of...
I Love Physocarpus ‘Center Glow’
Name: Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Center Glow’ aka the center glow ninebark. Type of Plant: A large, fountain shaped shrub that’s hardy in zones 2–8....
Early June In Bloom
Here are the plants that are catching my eye at Poison Ivy Acres the first week of June. In June a garden...
Spaghetti Squash With Mushrooms
I cook spaghetti squash in the microwave. And I think it's especially tasty (and easy!) when served with mushrooms, some sort of onion, olive oil...
Browning Allium Foliage
As perennial plant gardeners, one of the things we learn over time is how each plant behaves. There are perennials that look great before and after...