Behnkes History

In honor of one of our founders, Rose Behnke, on what would have been her 110th birthday, Stephanie wanted to share a little Behnke’s history. Read about Rose and her love of African violets.

While it might not seem like the ideal time to come out to the garden center, our spring inventory is arriving and the excitement is building! Stephanie enjoys seeing what’s new each week and dreaming of the gardens to come.

This week, Stephanie delves into the Behnke history vault and shares memories from the old days when there used to be ponds on the property.

A simple act can hold a world of meaning. Every year at Christmas, with a few evergreen branches, Stephanie creates a blanket to lay on her grandparents’ grave and honor their memory.

Christmas is a time of family traditions. Read about Stephanie’s Christmas traditions growing up at the nursery next to her grandparents, the founders of Behnke’s.

Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is next week and that means poinsettias, porch pots and more! Time for Christmas! Finally an end to head shaking and comments of “Christmas already?” (We start decorating in September around here because it’s such an…

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Stephanie shares her memories of her grandparents, Albert and Rose Behnke, and the friendship they shared with the owners of Maple Lawn Turkey Farm.

Stephanie’s mother, Sonja Behnke Festerling, recently dropped in at the nursery to see old friends. Since retiring, she doesn’t get to Behnke’s often, but when she does, it’s a joyful occasion. Click through to read about it.

Looking through old photos is one of Stephanie’s favorite pastimes. When she came across this one, she was reminded of what a wonderful, upbeat person her grandmother was. Click through for some of Stephanie’s memories of Rose Behnke.