C. L. Fornari's Blog
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...
I Love Solidago Canadensis aka Canada Goldenrod
Name: Solidago canadensis aka Canada goldenrod or Canadian goldenrod Type of Plant: A perennial native to north America that is adaptable and an...
What To Do With A Large Potato Harvest
My husband and I have about ten large (25 Gallon) Smart Pots that we use for growing potatoes every summer. We grow them in Smart Pots because we...
I Love Eupatorium perfoliatum aka Bonset
Name: Eupatorium perfoliatum aka bonset Type of Plant: A perennial native to north America that grows well in moist soils. Why I Love This Plant:...
I Love Pearly Everlasting aka Anaphalis margaritacea
Name: Pearly Everlasting aka Anaphalis margaritacea Type of Plant: A perennial native to north America with silvery foliage and long-lasting...
I Love Anigozanthos ‘Kanga Pink’ aka Dwarf Pink Kangaroo Paw
Name: Anigozanthos ‘Kanga Pink’ aka Dwarf Pink Kangaroo Paw Type of Plant: This is an evergreen perennial in zones 9-11, but a long-flowering...
I Love Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’
What To Do With Too Many Cherry Tomatoes…including split ones
If you grow more than two cherry tomato plants, you undoubtedly will find that there are times when you have more than you can eat. Even if you love...
I Love Cardoon aka Cynara cardunculus
Name: Cardoon aka Cynara cardunculus Type of Plant: A perennial plant that’s used as an annual in northern areas, Cardoon is a relative of the...