It's time for my houseplants to come home from summer camp. Like most campers, they are happy to be home, but arrive needing a shower and perhaps a change of clothing. Here's my routine: I clip off any browned leaves...
C. L. Fornari's Blog
I Love Hibiscus rosa-sinensis aka Tropical Hibiscus
Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis aka tropical Hibiscus Type of Plant: A shrub in warm climates, and a flowering patio plant in northern areas. Why I...
Having Fun With A New Container Recipe
Getting bored by the "Thriller/Filler/Spiller" formula? Garden makers just want to laugh and have fun. My graphic, created from my photos on a damp,...
I Love Amalanchier canadensis aka Serviceberry, Shadbush, and Shadblow
Name: Amalanchier canadensis aka Serviceberry, Shadbush, and Shadblow Type of Plant: A large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, with an open and...
I Love Forsythia
Name: Forsythia species, hybrids and varieties Type of Plant: A flowering shrub in the olive family, Oleaceae. One of the first shrubs to bloom in...
Make A Rustic, Spring Log Planter
If you find a hollow log, or half a hollow log, make a seasonal celebration planter. Use small plants you already have in your gardens: moss,...
I Love Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’ aka Major Wheeler Honeysuckle
Name: Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’ aka Major Wheeler honeysuckle Type of Plant: A variety of our native vine, Lonicera sempervirens, that...
I Love Heath and Heather
Name: Heath (Erica cinerea) and Heather (Calluna vulgaris) Type of Plant: These two plants are commonly called “heather” but they are two...
Gnomeinkulture
Move over hugelkulture and hay bale gardening…there’s a far better, centuries-old way to create productive gardens with the practice of burying of...
What A Wonderful Weed
I see rosettes of green In lawns and gardens too They are healthy food For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful weed. Apologies to...
I Love Mountain Magic Tomatoes
Name: Mountain Magic Hybrid Tomato Type of Plant: This F1 hybrid tomato is larger than a cherry but smaller than the typical sandwich slicer…but...
I Love Viola x wittrockiana aka Spring Pansies
Name: Viola x wittrockiana aka Spring Pansies Type of Plant: The most popular cool-weather annual. Why I Love This Plant: For those in the...
Spring Foraging on Cape Cod
Join us! Nationally known forager, Ellen Zachos, is on-Cape in April for a class on spring foraging. (Note: Rain date is Thursday the 20th)
I Love Borago officinalis aka Borage
Name: Borago officinalis aka Borage Type of Plant: An annual herb native to the Mediterranean. Why I Love This Plant: While this plant is grown on...
I Love Eurybia divaricata aka White Wood Aster
Type of Plant: Perennial that’s native to the Eastern North America, hardy in zones 3 to 8 Why I Love This Plant: This is a groundcover plant, one...
I Love Hybrid Primrose
Name: Hybrid Primroses Type of Plant: These gift plants are widely sold at this time of year to remind us that spring is coming. They are bred for...
I Love The Princess Anne David Austin Rose
Name: Princess Anne Rose from David Austin Type of Plant: This is an English shrub rose that grows about 4 feet tall and wide, with flowers that...
I Love the Drift Series of Roses
Name: Drift Roses Type of Plant: Low-growing, disease resistant, and repeat flowering shrub roses from Star Roses and Plants Why I Love This Plant:...
See You In Seattle!
Ellen Zachos and I are pleased to once again be recording a live edition of Plantrama at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. We'll be...