Surprise in The Bottom
Forgotten Azaleas and a Hidden Family Spot
A quiet corner of our family’s land, long overgrown and nearly forgotten, holds a blooming surprise—and a heartwarming reminder of days gone by
Azaleas in Bloom: Springtime Memories at Behnke Nurseries
What made Behnke’s azalea season so unforgettable? 🌸 Larry Hurley shares behind-the-scenes stories from the glory days of spring—burlap-wrapped roots, homegrown beauties, and a display that stopped visitors in their tracks.
A Fragrant Rose for Light Shade? Yes, Really
Think you can’t grow roses in light shade? Meet ‘Darlow’s Enigma’—a fragrant, low-maintenance rambler that might surprise you!
From Bloom to Bouquet
One of my favorite shrubs I bought from Behnke’s is this Limelight hydrangea. Each summer I would see a giant plant blooming at Behnke’s as I walked from the back parking lot to the selling area. I just loved it…
Photo Of The Week: Winterberry, Ilex verticillata, A Native Deciduous Holly
Starting to think about Christmas decor. A couple of weeks ago I was visiting relatives in the U.P., which is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the part of Michigan that is sandwiched between Wisconsin’s northern border and the southern shore of…
Generations of Joy Under the Maples
I live next door to these beautiful maple trees, and I’ve enjoyed watching them change with the seasons for many years. My in-laws, Jane and Marshall, originally planted the trees in their backyard, and we spent many wonderful times under…
Photo Of The Week: Fall Color Time
This photo is at my former Maryland home, taken November 5, 2006. It’s a Laceleaf Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum variety dissectum ‘Waterfall.’ A plain green cultivar, but with pretty golden fall color. I grew this as a container plant. It was potted in 2000, and…
Larry Hurley’s Photo Of The Week: Protect your young trees and shrubs this winter.
Protect your young trees and shrubs this winter. It’s a bit early in the season, but I’m a bit late providing a photo for Stephanie this week. So, in the spirit of planning ahead, I offer up a photo taken…
Larry Hurley’s Photo Of The Week: Photobomb!
I was about five feet from this butterfly bush that I wanted to write about, and a sandhill crane streaked through the photo. The butterfly bush, Buddleia ‘Pink Cascade II’, didn’t seem to mind. Butterfly bush is not native, and…
Photo Of The Week by Larry Hurley: Serendipity
Serendipitous plant combo at Behnke Nurseries: red Virginia Creeper on blue Montgomery Spruce during the 2020 pandemic.
Do You Name Your Plants?
Do you name your plants? Growing up, my mom would have unique names for certain houseplants. She used to change them up all the time. I know she had a beautiful Maiden Hair Fern with a name. Since my…
Photo Of The Week: Southern Magnolia and Bees
Because I am first and foremost a perennial guy, at least when it comes to gardening, I usually think of perennials when I am thinking about “bee-pleasing” plants. So when I passed by this Southern Magnolia that was for…