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red maple fall color

6 Trees for Fall Color

Sometimes I think those of us who live in parts of the U.S. with mixed-species deciduous forest take our autumnal show of colors for granted, especially here in the mid-Atlantic. I have visited several wonderful places around our country (and…

The Best Time to Plant a Tree…

The Best Time to Plant a Tree…

I have said it many times before, the best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago and the second best time is today… The other day, my husband, Jon, my father in law, Marshal and our grandson decided…

My Roots In Cleveland, Ohio

My Roots In Cleveland, Ohio

While visiting my hometown, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, this summer, I was struck by its beauty. Yes, you read that right. All you cynics who remember when the Cuyahoga River was on fire and imagine Cleveland like this: Cuyahoga River Burning…

Environmental Gardening at Behnke’s

Environmental Gardening at Behnke’s

Those of you who have shopped here for many years may remember that we used to have our shade and flowering tree display area on the south side of our main driveway (that is, between Route 1 and the parking…

Wait Wait…Don’t Toss That

Wait Wait…Don’t Toss That

Our favorite nurseries and garden shops are brimming with products that promise to deliver the lushest of foliage, the healthiest of roots, and little to no lingering pests. There’s no doubt that there are some fantastic options out there, but…

Arranged Marriages (of flowers, of course): House Jewelry

Arranged Marriages (of flowers, of course): House Jewelry

September is almost here.  We already see yellow school buses everywhere…and soon we will see yellow leaves…mixed with green and orange and russet…all signaling the approaching arrival of autumn.  Some will reluctantly let go of summer while others embrace all…

Jessica’s Garden: Prolonging the Harvest

Jessica’s Garden: Prolonging the Harvest

It’s hard to believe that we are already well into the month of August. Before we know it, leaves will be changing colors.  While some fruits and vegetables in the Summer garden (like squash and potatoes) may be dwindling, others…

helenium mariachi fuego

Picking Favorites Perennials

If you have siblings it’s likely that at some point, you questioned which was the “favored one” by a parent. When the question was posed (usually not at the best time), the typical response was “I love all of you…

I Need to Freshen Up a Bit

I Need to Freshen Up a Bit

Summer is in the final stretch, and most of what we are doing in August is maintenance or harvest.  It’s the time when you realize that the slugs have really been hitting the hostas, leaving them full of holes, and…

Grape-Holly/Mahonia

Grape-Holly/Mahonia

Named for its holly-like foliage and grape-like fruit (well, they don’t look like grapes to me), these evergreens are another of my favorite shade shrubs.  As durable as their relatives Nandina and Barberry, they are very adaptable and easy to…

Whiter Shade of Pale Perennials And More

Whiter Shade of Pale Perennials And More

I crave color. I’ll even admit to sometimes overlooking the characteristics of a plant and its appropriateness for my zone, much less garden’s conditions, just to grab that color and add it to the garden. Color can make me an…

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