C. L. Fornari's Blog
Is This Poison Ivy
We're all familiar with the saying, "Leaves of three, let it be." But the reality is that there are many plants with sets of three leaves that we...
Watermelon and Smoked Gouda
One of the joys of cooking and having an assortment of fresh ingredient on hand is stumbling on fantastic flavor combinations. I found one this week...
Catching My Eye In Late May
May is a magical month in the garden. If you haven't been a tourist in your own yard recently, go out into the landscape with new eyes. Pretend...
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...
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...
What To Do In The Garden – May
Since every garden is different and what is going on in any given month is completely regional, it's impossible to make a "garden tasks for May"...
Cell Phone Cameras and Gardens
There are many times when I'm so thankful that I have an iPhone 6 on me at all times. Although I use a larger Canon camera for much of my...
I Love Hosta ‘Blue Cadet’
Name: Hosta ‘Blue Cadet’ Type of Plant: This medium sized, perennial Hosta is pretty perfect in most landscapes. It grows to about 16” high and...
How To Make Champagne Wire Chairs
If you go to Google Image and put in "champagne chairs" you'll get many pictures of just how creative you can get with these. Mine are a bit rustic...
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...
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...
Great Packaging – Plants By Mail
I typically order plants from several sources every spring, and they usually come through the shipping process well. Most growers are careful to use...
I Love Calibrachoa Superbells Holy Moly
Name: Calibrachoa Superbells Holy Moly aka Holy Moly Superbells Type of Plant: An annual that is low-maintenance and colorful. Yellow petals that...
Bulbs Where You Can See Them
When I moved to this area I was told that on Cape Cod we have January, February, March, March, March, June. I soon discovered that even the...
What Are You Looking For?
Dorothy was right...it's in your own backyard.
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...
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...
I Love Geranium macrorrhizum
Name: Geranium macrorrhizum aka bigroot geranium Type of Plant: A perennial hardy in Zones 3-8. Fragrant foliage, small flowers in June. Why I...