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…
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
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…
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…
Months without an “R”: No Oysters, Great Gardens
The other day, while searching for seafood to make a celebratory dinner, the saying pertaining to oysters came to mind– are you familiar with it? Basically, it says we shouldn’t expect fresh oysters during months that do not contain the…
Goldfinches and Monarchs, a Perfect Pair
Hardly do we ever think of these two creatures together, and yet, by planting Black-eyed Susans and Milkweed we are inviting the two to co-mingle. (Don’t fret, Goldfinches are seed eaters.) Really, the two aren’t likely to go palling around…
Seasons of Change: Marked With Perennials
The past few weeks have been filled with several significant milestones: my twins turned 25, my husband celebrated his 65th birthday and June marks our 30th wedding anniversary. We could say “where have the years gone” or “my, haven’t the…
Building on Success: Long-Lived Japanese Forest Grass
We’ve been in the same home for 31 years, on a lot with tall, native deciduous trees and dappled shade. This is the perfect environment for shade-tolerant perennials.
Plant Ahead for Summer Color
Late spring color is bursting forth, with terrific plants such as Siberian Iris and Peonies. It seems now that color abounds in gardens and in the nursery, but in early to late June there is….
A Purposeful Garden
The last Mourning Dove fledged the other day, eliciting mixed emotions in me. My “growing season” begins before spring blooms, it starts when I see, and hear, birds in the yard. I start most days watching them preparing their nests and eventually, tending to their clutch.
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
I spend a lot of time telling everyone about my grandparent’s favorite flowers. Today I decided to share one of mine. The beautiful Shasta Daisy.
10 Shady Perennials that Pass the Test of Time
One of my coworkers recently bought a home with a shady yard, and she was looking for advice on what to plant. I thought it might be time to review what has been successful in my shady garden.