October, the Best Month of the Year
October brings birthdays, fall colors, and family milestones. From new beginnings to cozy traditions, Stephanie shares why this season feels like the best of the year.
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. 💛
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?
A Message From A Garden Center in Asheville, NC
Years ago, I was fortunate enough to travel to Asheville, NC, with a group from Behnke’s to attend the Garden Center Group’s annual event. Asheville was such a beautiful place, and I know it will be again. While there,…
Nope! They Are Not My Violets
Some of you might be wondering if these violets could be mine. Last year, I wrote about my attempt at rooting some leaves off my mother’s (Sonja Behnke Festerling) old Chanticleer African Violet. These 3 in the photo are not…
Fall Mums At Sun Nurseries
It is September which means that Stephanie is ready to start decorating her front porch for Fall.
The Challenges of AI-Generated Plant Photos in Garden Centers
Lately I have been seeing a lot of unique and unusual plants on social media. The problem is, however, that they are FAKE. In recent years, the rise of AI-generated images has introduced a new challenge: Garden Center customers are bringing in…
Photo Of The Week ~ April Snow 2007
Although snow isn’t in the forecast, April snow in the Washington, DC area isn’t unheard of. In order to be ready for spring sales, garden centers begin bringing in plants in late February/early March, starting with fruit tree and continuing…
Why Shop At Independent Garden Centers
If you are reading this, chances are you already know why going to an independent garden center is such a wonderful experence. That said, I know how hard it is when you are at the grocery store or one of…
From Valentine’s to Spring
As February fades, garden centers buzz with anticipation. New arrivals bring bursts of color, from houseplants to fruit trees.
The Best Time For Planting Is Fall
Fall, some will say, is the best time of the year. I love Spring (saying goodbye to Winter is the best), but Fall has many appealing things to consider. Growing up surrounded by nurserymen, of course, I knew that…
Perennial Chatter from Wisconsin
A visit to Maryland from Middleton, Wisconsin by Larry Hurley to say Good by to a friends and hello to other friends. Plus, what is happening in his new garden.