CL Fornari

I Love Stokesia laevis aka Stoke’s Aster

Mar 25, 2022 | Gardens

Name: Stokesia laevis aka Stokes’ Aster Type of Plant: A perennial native to the Southeast United States, hardy in Zones 5-9 and growing best in full sun. Why I Love This Plant: Big, shaggy flowers in mid-summer. A perennial that doesn’t spread or self-seed,...

I Love Iris Reticulata aka Dwarf Iris or Netted Iris

Mar 18, 2022 | Love This!

Name: Iris reticulata – aka Dwarf Iris or Netted Iris Type of Plant: One of the earliest blooming bulbs – in flower on Cape Cod in March into April. Why I Love This Plant: This is one of the first spring flowers to come into bloom. Just a week or two after the crocus...

I Love Cornus alba ‘Bailhalo’ aka Ivory Halo Variegated Red Twig Dogwood

Mar 11, 2022 | Love This!

Name: Cornus alba ‘Bailhalo’ aka Ivory Halo variegated red twig dogwood Type of Plant: A shrub with variegated leaves and bright red stems, hardy in zones 3-7. Multi-stemmed, lacy (but not showy) flowers that attract butterflies and pollinators. Why I Love This...

I Love Papaver orientale, aka Oriental poppy

Mar 4, 2022 | Love This!

Name: Papaver orientale, aka Oriental poppy Type of Plant: A perennial poppy that flowers in late-May and early June, hardy in zones 3 to 7. Why I Love This Plant: Huge, outrageous flowers on tall stems in the late-spring and early summer! Humorous buds and opening...

I Love Zinnias

Feb 26, 2022 | Gardens

Name: Zinnias! Type of Plant: Annuals, many cultivars of Zinnia elegans, aka the common garden zinnia. Why I Love This Plant: At this time of year, I need to be reminded that in five short months I will have a riot of colors in my gardens as the zinnias come into...

I Love Liriodendron tulipifera aka tulip tree or tulip-poplar

Feb 18, 2022 | Love This!

Name: Liriodendron tulipifera aka tulip tree or tulip-poplar Type of Plant: A large, native tree in the magnolia family. (Magnoliaceae) Best grown in full sun and acidic soils. Hardy in Zones 4-9. Why I Love This Plant: Wind and salt-spray tolerant, straight...

I Love Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’ aka blue grama

Feb 11, 2022 | Love This!

Name: Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’ aka blue grama Type of Plant: Short, summer flowering grass for full sun, hardy in Zones 3-10. This grass is native to the southern and western United States. Why I Love This Plant: What’s not to love about this grass, from...

I Love Sunshine Blue Caryopteris, aka Caryoperis incana ‘Jason’

Feb 4, 2022 | Love This!

Name: Sunshine Blue Caryopteris, aka Caryoperis incana ‘Jason’ Type of Plant: A fall-flowering shrub for full sun that’s hardy in Zones 5-9. Why I Love This Plant: I love plants that bring both foliage and flowers to the party, and this is one such shrub. The leaves...

I Love Gossypium hirsutum ‘Red Foliated’ aka red foliaged cotton.

Jan 28, 2022 | Love This!

Name: Gossypium hirsutum ‘Red Foliated’ aka red foliaged cotton. Type of Plant: A lovely plant with a lot of baggage. Winter hardy in Zones 9-11, but annuals in colder areas.This is a perennial shrub in the mallow family, which is grown as an agricultural...

I Love Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hokomarevo’ aka Hydrangea Everlasting Revolution

Jan 21, 2022 | Love This!

Name: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hokomarevo’ aka Hydrangea Everlasting Revolution Type of Plant: A mophead hydrangea with pink to blue flowers depending on the pH of the soil. Hardy in zones 6-9. Why I Love This Plant: In my warm Zone 6 garden this Hydrangea...