Getting Into The Fall Spirit
Fall Spirit
 This photo was taken by Nolan Graninger, one of our photo bugs that works at the garden center, and posted on Instagram.. Nothing like getting into the Fall Spirit!
Keeping Up With Social Media
~ Stephanie Fleming
For sometime now I have been trying to figure out Instagram and hashtags.. I could just not wrap my Fall head around the whole thing.. I had the app on my "SMART" phone.. but now what?  It took one of the young men that works for us about 5 minutes to explain the whole concept and get me going.. Really? I just spent weeks reading everything.. So I now understand what a hashtag is.. Do you? 

If  you're on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook and happen to be at Behnke's or take a photo of something gardening related that you just know that we would love to see, use the #behnkes . You can also use @behnkenurseries along with #behnkes if you're at the nursery. Simple as that.
girl with mums
So what is a hashtag? A hashtag is a label for content. It helps others who are interested in a certain topic quickly find content on that same topic. For example, this past weekend we had the good folks from the National Capital Orchid Society at Behnke's. If you were one of the many people taking photos of the orchids, you could have used #orchids and #behnkes to label your photos. Too much information? Sorry I am just really excited because now when beautiful plants arrive, I can snap a photo and use #behnkes and everyone that is following BehnkeNurseries on Instagram will see it.

A New App For Gardeners
Speaking of SMART phones
Dr. Allan Armitage

Dr. Allan Armitage's app, "Armitage's Greatest Perennials & Annuals", is a tool Behnkes Nurseries has wanted to provide you for a long time. We strongly recommend it for all our customers, because it provides easy-to-read information on many of the plants available in our stores.

 

The app is written with the home gardener in mind. Dr. Armitage suggests the best variety for hundreds of plants, and backs up his recommendations with years of personal experience, entertaining videos, and stunning photos.

 

A "deer browsing" rating is provided for almost every species as well, a tool in and of itself that is of immense value in this area of the country.

 

Armitage's Greatest Perennials & Annuals

is essentially a small reference book in your back pocket. It's updated regularly, and best of all, costs only $4.99. A spectacular value!  

 

Go to your App store, and simply search "armitage".  Voila!  asia-cellphone-people.jpg

Dr. A says:

  • Works on all Android and i products - tablets and smartphones
  • Includes over 70 genera, approx 350 photos
  • Annuals, perennials covered are for all temperate climates  
  • Why they make my list (many do not)
  • Hints for success
  • Deer browsing rating  
  • My top picks
  • Videos on nearly all genera selected  
  • Constantly updated.
Pumpkin & Gourd Special: Any Pumpkin or Gourd you want,  Now $5.99 or less.
fall chair pumpkins
Just in time! All real pumpkins and gourds are now $5.99 or less.. With these great prices you can create the Fall look you have been wishing for..

I have mentioned Pinterest before and here is another simple decorating idea that anyone can re-create.  I am the first to admit I need all the help I can get when decorating. Unlike many of my friends and co-workers, I tend to do the same thing year after year. If you're like me, check out our Pinterest Boards for great tips and ideas.  Just another word of caution... Pin at your own risk.. Once you start you will look up and wonder where the time went. I am considering a timer. 

While you're picking out your pumpkins, don't forget to add some mums, pansies, kale and cabbage to your cart. We have it all! Plus, in Beltsville, kids can check out our FREE Fall Fun Area filled with games and prizes; and on weekends we have FREE face-painting.

Find us on Pinterest

Amaryllis & Paperwhites
Just arrived at both of our locations! Great gift idea and fun project for the kids!
forced bulb
Amaryllis and Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs have arrived! Individual bulbs for you to pot. or all-in-one kits (bulb, pot, soil included).

Watching these magnificent bulbs grow little by little each day is something I enjoy every year. Some folks just buy a new Amaryllis bulb each Fall, but others (like my husband) will keep their Amaryllis year after year.

Bulbs: The Time Is Now!
Choose top quality bulbs from Holland for great results
  • Time to plant your spring-blooming bulbs - tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, anemones and crocus, to name a few.  If you can't get them all in the ground this month, tulips CAN be planted in Novembulb plantingber with good results - as long as the ground hasn't frozen, of course.  For best results, add bone meal or a bulb fertilizer like Bulb-tone into the planting hole as you prepare the soil.
  • In choosing and planting your bulbs, it's best to plant in drifts, rather than tiny groups of just one to three.
  • Got deer?  Plant daffodils, hyacinths, fritillaria, scilla, muscari, galanthus and ornamental allium for best results.  Deer love tulips and crocus, so avoid them.
  • If you have summer-blooming "bulbs" in the ground and you wish to save them for next year, then Gladiola, dahlias, cannas, elephant ears and other tender bulbs should be dug up before the ground freezes and stored in a cool dark area.  Just wait til frost blackens the foliage, then cut back the tops to 6 inches and dig carefully.  Next, brush or wash off soil and let dry for two weeks to cure. Store in boxes or pots filled with peat moss or bark chips in a dry place like an unheated basement or crawl space around 40-50 degrees.
  • If you need to move your autumn-flowering crocus, do it now - after they flower.
Behnke's Garden Club Special
Offer good through October 23
fall decorating
If you're a member of our FREE Garden Club you can take advantage of our weekly specials just for you!

Choose from selected Fall and Halloween Decorations: Garden Club Members Only this week, 40% OFF
Update Information
50% Off ALL Crape Myrtles!
crape myrtles
Crape myrtles provide an unequaled contribution to the early-summer and fall garden. The wide range of sizes and flower color make crape myrtles one of the essential shrubs or small trees of the southern garden. Not only does the foliage put on a nice fall display, in shades of yellow, orange or red, but the attractive peeling bark is also welcome in the winter landscape, as well.
SAVE  Even More!
 
pansy
4" Pansies ~ $1.25 each

Mums
All 8" Garden Mums ~ $1.00 Off

photo by Miri
All Real Pumpkins & Gourds $5.99 or Less

garden

Entire Perennial Department~ 25% to 50% OFF
Selection is limited and varies between locations. 


Save The Date: Saturday, October 26 at 10 a.m.
The Gesneriad Society October Meeting
Located At Our Beltsville Garden Center and Open to the Public
Streptocarpus cooksonii
The National Capital Area Chapter of The Gesneriad Society's October meeting will feature a presentation by Bob and Dee Stewart on Streptocarpus species.

There are over 150 species of Streptocarpus known so far. They range from plants small enough to bloom in a thimble to plants with a single leaf over two feet long. The genus Streptocarpus has provided many beautiful, floriferous plants for our enjoyment. These plants have even become popular with the casual house plant grower under the moniker "Cape Primroses". Focusing on species of Streptocarpus subgenus streptocarpus, this program will discuss their growth habit, culture and provide a glimpse at a number of the very desirable species.

Streptocarpus have a very unusual growth habit. Understanding how they grow will contribute to understanding how to grow them. This program will review what's unique about the way Streptocarpus species grow throughout their life-cycle. Given that background, we'll discuss how to grow these plants successfully, including how to grow them without pots - nature's way! Along the way, you'll see many of the species that make this genus so popular.

For more information on this group go to their web site at
The National Capital Area Chapter of The Gesneriad Society
 Thank-You NCOS for all the beauty you brought to Behnke's on a cold rainy weekend!
Cattleya Forte Motte Flamingo Pride
If you did not get a chance to stop by our Beltsville Garden Center this past weekend you missed out on seeing some of the most beautiful orchids around. As most know, we were asked to host the National Capital Orchid Society's 66th Fall Show and Sale. What an exciting week it was! We have posted many of the orchid photos on our Flickr site if you would like to see them. Miri Talabac took most of the photos and posted the names of the orchids. Enjoy!


View our photos on flickr

Behnke's Quick Buttons
October floral special  

Just click on the blue button for a direct link

Garden Tips
October's  Gardening To-Do List


Flora Feature
October Featured Arrangement: "The Poised Pumpkin"
Weekly Sales
4" Pansies Now $1.25
Garden Mums $1.00 off

And more!
Garden Blog
Beginner's Guide to Choosing and Growing Orchids
by Susan Harris, Behnke's Garden Blogger 

BPPS
Taking appointments for Fall planting and yard clean up.
Activities
SAVE THE DATES:
Oct. 19, & 26: Carol's Corner - Gardening Questions Encouraged
Nov. 9: 6th Annual Craft Show & Sale



 
contact us
Button Watch Our Videos
Behnke Nurseries
Beltsville:  301-937-1100
  Potomac: 301-983-9200
Florist: 301-983-4400
Web Site: www.behnkes.com

Behnke's Fall  Hours


Beltsville
Sunday  - Friday ~ 9 to 6
Saturday ~ 8 to 6 Open Early

Potomac
Everyday 9-6
 
Note: The Behnke Florist is closed on Sunday
Stay Connected
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Check us out on some of these different social media sights. On YouTube we have some more new Videos and if you go to Flickr or Pinterest your sure to find sometime you like.  Plus, share your memories on Instagram @behnkenurseries with #behnkes