C. L. Fornari's Blog
I Love Ageratum Blue Horizon
Name: Ageratum ‘Blue Horizon’ Type of Plant: An annual, typically available in six-packs in the garden center, but also easy to grow from seed....
Hydrangea macrophylla × serrata ‘SMNHSME’ USPP 34,327, Can PBRAF aka Let’s Dance Sky View®
Name: Hydrangea macrophylla × serrata 'SMNHSME' USPP 34,327, Can PBRAF aka Let's Dance Sky View® Type of Plant: A smaller growing Hydrangea that...
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...
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...
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...
I Love Calocephalus brownii ‘Silver Sand’ aka Cushion Bush
Name: Calocephalus brownii 'Silver Sand' aka Cushion Bush Type of Plant: A silver-foliaged, finely textured plant typically sold as an annual in...
I Love Bromeliads
Name: Bromeliads Type of Plant: Members of the Bromeliaceae family - a large group of plants mainly native to the tropical Americas. Why I...
I Love Philodendron pinnatifidum × melinonii hybrid aka Philodendron Golden Crocodile
Name: Philodendron pinnatifidum × melinonii hybrid aka Philodendron Golden Crocodile Type of Plant: A yellow-green variety of Philodendron that’s...
I Love The Buckskin Pumpkin From Ball Seed
Type of Plant: A medium size, eating pumpkin that was bred for a sweet, deep orange flesh. Why I Love This Plant: I was pleased when the good...
Christmas Merchandise so EARLY?
I work at a family owned, independent garden center, and yes, we start putting out Christmas merchandise in early October. I see posts on social...
Dried Flower Fun
In September I was inspired by an article in BBC Gardener's World Magazine about a woman who dried dahlias. On a whim, I picked some of my dahlias...
I Love Ginkgo Biloba
Name: Ginkgo biloba aka ginkgo tree Type of Plant: Ginkgos are ancient trees that are native to east Asia. There are many cultivars that range from...
I Love Staghorn Sumac aka Rhus typhina
Name: Staghorn Sumac aka Rhus typhina Type of Plant: A native tall shrub or small tree that can sucker to the sides to create thickets or clusters....
I Love Fire Light Tidbit® Panicle Hydrangea
Name: Fire Light Tidbit® Panicle Hydrangea aka Hydrangea paniculata 'SMNHPK' Type of Plant: A low-growing, bone hardy (Zones 3-8) Hydrangea shrub...
I Love Canna Cannova
Name: Canna Cannova varieties Type of Plant: Cannas are large-leaf, flowering plants that add a tropical look to gardens and containers. They are...
I Love Epilobium canum aka California fuchsia Zauschneria canum var. arizonica ‘Sky Island Orange’
Name: Epilobium canum aka California fuchsia Zauschneria canum var. arizonica 'Sky Island Orange' Type of Plant: In warmer climates this plant is a...
I Love Symphyotrichum ericoides aka White Heath Aster
Name: Symphyotrichum ericoides aka White Heath Aster Type of Plant: A perennial wildflower that is native to North America. This plant can grow in...
I Love Lophospermum Lofos Compact Rose
Name: Lophospermum - Lofos®Compact Rose sometimes called creeping gloxinia Type of Plant: Trailing plants for sun to part-sun – they are perennial...