C. L. Fornari's Blog
A Postcard From Butterfly Support Plants
Some random tips for supporting butterflies: Don’t use pesticides unless you really have to. Ignore clusters aphids and other insects that are on...
Postcard From August Petunias
If your petunias aren't looking as flower-filled and bushy as they did early in the summer, you can trim them back by 1/3 to 1/2 (sometimes more!),...
A Postcard From Daylilies
Perennial gardens need some mid-summer tending. Pulling weeds, of course. But also deadheading and editing. Pull plants that want to take over the...
Broken Pots and Citrus in Containers
In Italy it's common practice to repair broken containers by drilling holes and using wire or a combination of wire and cement or other patching...
A Postcard From Repaired Pots
Terracotta pots are fairly easy to repair if you have a drill that can make holes on both pieces. Use wire or waxed cord like this one that I use....
The Wishing Tree
We had a lovely, large purple leaf beech tree (Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea') that Dan and I planted in 2010. It grew beautifully, with one minor...
A Postcard From Lavender
A Postcard from Mid-Summer Plants: Fertilizing?
A Postcard From Flowers Leading to Seeds
On The Garden Lady on the Fourth of July I featured several groups of four things to keep in mind when it comes to plants FOUR THINGS THAT ARE...
A Postcard From Plants About the Myth of Sunlight and Water Drops
My Guest on The Garden Lady on June 27 was Mason Vollmer - his book made me want to plant spindle apple trees!
What to do With the Fallen Branches and Brush?
One of my goals when we moved to Poison Ivy Acres was to not have any organic matter leave the property. My desire was that all leaves, sticks and...
A Postcard From Your Plants: Holes in Leaves
Do the leaves still look capable of photosynthesis? Would you say that you're looking at "an acceptable level of damage?" If so, there isn't a...
A Postcard From June Roses
In many areas roses are at their peak in June. Clipping off the faded and finished flowers encourages new growth and more flowers later. Try not to...
Wolf Spiders and an Insect Safari
As I walk the fields on Cape Cod I often spot the perfectly round, wolf spider holes... My guest on The Garden Lady on June 6th was Margie Patlak,...
A Postcard from American Holly and Wildcrafted Garden Structures
On The Garden Lady on May 30th my guest was Jim Long, author of Wildcrafted Garden Structures. This book is filled with inspirations and...
A Postcard From Azalea Gall
This is the time when azalea gall shows up. It's most common on the azaleas, but occasionally you'll see it on other Rhododendrons. This is also...
A Postcard From Erigeron Pulchellus
A Postcard From Cutting Garden Plants
Plant some flowers for cutting this year. Annuals, perennials and bulbs. This graphic shows just a few examples.