Northern Exposure
A look back at a summer visit to the Montreal Botanical Garden during a Perennial Plant Association trip—full of stunning displays and plant inspiration. 🌿
A Yard Full of Memories
Learning the Ropes I went out to mow our yard for the first time last week. As my husband went over all the instructions on how to use the mower, I kept remembering last summer when I thought I would…
Earth Day reminder for Plastic. What Happens on Land doesn’t necessarily Stay on Land.
Plastic tossed on land doesn’t always stay there. This Earth Day, I’m sharing a few personal stories and photos showing how litter travels—from local parks to rivers, and even remote island beaches. ♻️🌍
From the Garden to the Kitchen Sink: A Greener Journey, One Small Change at a Time
After a lifetime of working with plants and soil, I always felt connected to the Earth. But it wasn’t until recently that I started thinking about what I was bringing inside my home. This Earth Day, I’m sharing the small but powerful changes I’ve made to create a healthier space for my family—and why it matters more than ever. 💚
A big Coneflower for your consideration
Looking for a late-summer showstopper that pollinators love and rabbits leave alone? Meet Rudbeckia ‘Herbstsonne’—an old favorite that’s stood the test of time. With bright yellow, drooping petals on 7-foot stems, this coneflower isn’t shy. I first grew it back in 1984 at Behnke’s, and it’s still a standout in my garden today. 💛
The Flower the Deer Forgot: A Tribute to Mom
This week, my stepfather, Joe Festerling, gave me one of my mom’s favorite flowers—a tiny purple violet, or viola as I call them. This little 4″ pot is bursting with about 40 sweet blooms, their deep purple petals contrasting beautifully…
A Fern, A Nest, A Home: Carolina Wrens in the Staghorn
A no fuss birdhouse. This photo was taken at our home in Bethesda on June 29, 2014, through our dining room window. I have a staghorn fern, a tropical plant, that I put outside each summer. I’ve still got it, and…
For Zoe’s 9th birthday, we celebrated her love for nature with a special gift—a ZZ plant! Little did we know, she had already picked out an African violet earlier that day. From planting pansies at her party to planning a vegetable garden with her G.G., Zoe’s green thumb is starting to bloom. Could she be the next gardener in the family?
Remembering Passchendaele: A Journey Through Belgium’s WWI Battlefields
“In June 2009, my wife and I explored the WWI battlefields of Passchendaele in western Belgium. This historic site, where British Commonwealth and German troops endured unimaginable losses, is a powerful reminder of the war’s impact. We visited Tyne Cot Cemetery, a beautifully maintained resting place for thousands of soldiers, making for a moving and unforgettable experience.” ~ Larry
Signs of Spring: Nature’s Wake-Up Call
Every year, there’s a moment when I can feel that spring is really on its way. It’s not just the calendar telling me, it’s the subtle shifts in nature, the little signs that winter is loosening its grip. Right now,…
Monocot vs. Dicot: A Tale of Two Tree Trunks in Tucson
My wife and I vacationed in Tucson, Arizona a few weeks ago to get away from the Wisconsin winter. While wandering around the parking lot at one of our hotels, I noticed that a couple of trees had been cut…
Steph’s Visit To The US Botanical Gardens
Ever since Susan Harris shared her visit to the U.S. Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show, I’ve wanted to go. Lucky for me, my cousin Jeanne Behnke Byrnes reached out and suggested we go to celebrate our birthdays—mine in February and hers…