C. L. Fornari's Blog

I Love Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ aka Jelena Witch Hazel

by C. L. Fornari | March 1, 2024 | Love This! | 0 Comments

Name: Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ aka ‘Jelena’ Witch Hazel Type of Plant: A large shrub that flowers in February. Why I Love This Plant: Like other varieties of witch hazel, ‘Jelena’ flowers in the winter. It’s especially beautiful when the flowers are lit by...

I Love Cypripedium acaule aka Lady Slipper Orchid

by C. L. Fornari | February 23, 2024 | Love This! | 0 Comments

Name: Cypripedium acaule aka Lady Slipper Orchid Type of Plant: Native ground orchid that thrives in damp woodland and acidic soils Why I Love This Plant: The more you know about the lady slipper orchid, the more there is to wonder about and admire. First of all,...

I Love Spotted Wintergreen aka Chimaphila maculata

by C. L. Fornari | February 9, 2024 | Love This! | 0 Comments

Name: Spotted Wintergreen aka Chimaphila maculata Type of Plant: First of all we need to sort through the common names which are Striped Prince's Pine, Spotted Wintergreen, Pipsissewa, Spotted Pipsissewa, Ratsbane, Rheumatism Root, and Striped Wintergreen. Yikes!...

David Sedaris and the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival

Jul 10, 2025 | Love This!

How is David Sedaris connected to the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival? Well, those who are familiar with The Garden Lady know that I am all about the truth, as I see it, in the garden and out. So from the get go I need to...

I Love Verbascum Chaixii

Feb 5, 2016 | Love This!

Name: Verbascum chaixii aka nettle-leaved mullein Type of Plant: A biennial that sometimes only lasts a year and other times might live three...