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"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The second best time is now." - Chinese Proverb
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 I know I have shared this photo before but it seemed rather fitting to use it again with Arbor Day. Who doesn't remember climbing trees when we were young? Or laying under them looking up at the sky through the leaves? My little grandson really does love his tree in his front yard. Looking out my windows today, I looked at all the trees my grandfather gave me when we built our home 28 years ago...they are amazing. I think on Friday, I will be buying a new tree for our home just for Aaron. Then we can watch it grow while we watch him grow! |
 Eastern Redbud - A beautiful, native, understory tree, the eastern redbud ( Cercis canadensis) fits into small areas and shows off in the spring with multitudes of tiny pink flowers. reg. price $84.99 and up
Sale 25% off
Don't forget to get your "Marylanders Plant Trees" Coupon and SAVE $25 on trees that qualify. Want a different tree? Pick from any on their list to get the $25 off coupon!
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Natives... for a naturally beautiful yard.
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 | One of our graphic artists, Adrienne, created this beautiful sign this Spring.
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Native plants are critical for the environment. Many serve as food sources for native insects, which in turn are food sources for birds and other animals: ah, the circle of life! Unfortunately, most native insects are unable to feed on non-native plants. So, to keep that circle going, it is critical that gardeners include native plants in their landscapes. Furthermore, since native plants are well adapted to our local climate, they often require less care than many non-natives.
When you shop at Behnke's, pick up our free Behnke BaySafe® Plants brochure. The plants listed are not only great for the environment but also offer ornamental qualities; attractive flowers, fruits, foliage and bark. You can improve the environment around your home and beautify your garden at the same time. Behnke BaySafe® Plants are Maryland native plants. To qualify, a plant must be native to Maryland or be a cultivar (a horticultural variety) of a native plant.
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Ninebark (Physocarpus) 25% OFF
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Another Native Plant for your Garden
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 Now in several juicy colors, these native flowering shrubs boast white spring flowers, red seeds, peeling bark and leaves in shades of bronze, plum-chocolate (now that's an odd flavor), amber and copper.
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This Week's Garden Club Special:
Phlox - A Native Beauty
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25% OFF thru April 27 for Garden Club Members Only
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T.Creeping Phlox, Phlox subulata
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Phlox have made their way around the garden to fill many different niches: tall phlox, creeping phlox, woodland phlox. They are a colorful addition to the perennial garden.
Creeping Phlox, Phlox subulata, is one of our most popular species of perennials. It's a Behnke Baysafe Native Plant, native to sandy and rocky areas of Maryland. Growing low to the ground, it's a nice ground cover for small-scale situations in sunny, well-drained locations. It's particularly effective when it can drape over the edge of stone walls or the sides of raised beds.
The foliage can be lightly sheared after blooming to keep it neat. Creeping phlox blooms in many colors, including blue, white, pink, red, and a bicolor white/pink.
If it's a perennial phlox, it's on sale: woodland phlox (Phlox stolonifera, Phlox divaricata); tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) and all sorts of oddball phlox, too. We've got phlox coming out of our ears--they're that versatile!
Must be a Behnke Garden Club member to get this special price.
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- Cut back last year's dead foliage on all ornamental grasses to 6-12" if you haven't done it already! It may already be difficult to cut off the dead leaves without also harming the new ones.
- You can still divide or move perennials that are established in the ground in your yard. It's best to get all this jostling around of perennials done before it gets hot, and it gets does get hot in Maryland...eventually. You can plant perennials from pots almost year round here, but it's easiest when you plant in April or May. It gives them a chance to root out before it does get hot, and the selection is the best of the year.
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Manger's Special: All Forsythia NOW 50% OFF
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Our Woody Plant Buyer, Miri, says its time to make room for something else!
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Time to Start Feeding your Roses
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 Miri Talabac, Behnkes' buyer of shrubs (including roses), reminds us that now's the perfect time to start feeding our roses. She recommends Rose-tone from ESPOMA, and nags us all to follow package instructions (though thankfully it's organic, so it's hard to overdo). Then feed monthly through July and once again in October to promote root growth.
We have a wonderful selection of all types of roses at both of our garden centers for you to choose from.
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| Herbs and Warm Season Vegetable Plants:
They are starting to arrive!
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So far we have over 50 varieties of herbs and some tomato and pepper varieties. More varieties and other vegetables will arrive in the weeks to come. Want a quick raised bed? Try making a rectangle/square with cinder blocks. Fill the center and cinder block holes with soil. Plant vegetables in the center and herbs in the cinder block holes.
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 Available in our BELTSVILLE store. The wonderful folks at HGTV® have designed these special annual combos in baskets & containers to make life beautifully easy for you. You can choose from.....
- Ready-To-Go Hanging Baskets and Stylish Containers full of pre-mixed annual combinations that will knock your socks off.
- Bright and beautiful pre-mixed annual combination containers that are ready for you to drop into your own hanging baskets or favorite planters.
- Individual pots of annuals just like the ones in the big combo pots so that you can mix and match to make your own container garden.
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Sod Arrives On Fridays In Beltsville
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 Sod Availability - Sod is cut weekly and delivered for the weekend, weather permitting, so it's always a good idea to check with us in advance
of your visit.
Beltsville usually gets it on Fridays and our Potomac Garden Center receives theirs on Saturdays.
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Photo from a Behnke's staffer: This is a low area that captures runoff from the neighbor's lot. We are at the bottom of the slope. It slows runoff, and the native river oats use a bit of the water.
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Discover Rain Gardens & How to Design Your Own: with Carol Allen
Date: Sat. April 26 & Sun. April 27 Time: 10 am and 1 pm each day Cost: FREE Get the dirt on rain gardens: how to create one and why they are so important. Check with your county, you may be eligible for a rain garden REBATE.
It's Veggie & Herb Time with Christopher Lewis 
Location: Potomac Store Date: Saturday, May 3 Time: 1pm Cost: FREE Discover the world of vegetables and herbs for a summer garden. The month of May is the time to begin planting tomatoes, peppers, squash, and tender herbs for the summer garden. Christopher will offer 'how to get the garden started' tips and planting methods. Handouts will be provided.
 Your Edible Garden, with Carol Allen: Getting Down & Dirty, Planning your Vegetable Garden
Location: Beltsville Date: May 3 & 4 Time: 10 am & again at 1 pm each day Join Carol as she offers timely tips each month and explains how you could get the most from your edible garden. ALL questions are welcomed, and after class, take part in a Free hands-on activity.  Free Mother's Day ActivityLocation: Beltsville Date: Saturday, May 12 Time: 11- 3pm Cost: FREE Dads, grab your kids 10 and under and let them pot up a beautiful annual for Mom! Plus, we will have everything they need to make a special card just for her.  Make A Blooming Porch Pot with Carol AllenLocation: Beltsville Store Date: Sat. May 10 & Sun. May 11 Time: Anytime between 10 am & 3 pm Cost: Just pay the price of the pot and plants you pick out Carol will guide you through the process of making a stunning porch pot.  Book Signing: Hellstrip Gardening: Create a Paradise between the Sidewalk and the Curb; with award winning author Evelyn J. Hadden; Location: Beltsville Date: Saturday, May 31 Time:10:30am
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Behnke's Quick Buttons
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Just click on the blue button for a direct link
 April's Gardening To-Do List 
Spring Flora Feature: Spring Sunrise  ALL Eastern Redbud 25% OFF
ALL Forsythia 50% OFF
ESPOMA Bulb-tone 20% OFF
Hummingbird Feeders 20% OFF
The National Arboretum in April is Awesome
by Susan Harris, Behnke's Garden Blogger
 Taking appointments for Spring planting and yard clean up.
 SAVE THE DATE:
June 7th: Behnke's Garden Party
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Behnke Nurseries
Beltsville: 301-937-1100
Potomac: 301-983-9200
Florist: 301-983-4400
Email: behnkes@behnkes.net
Web Site: www.behnkes.com
Behnke's Spring HoursBeltsville & Potomac
Monday - Friday ~ 9 to 7
Saturday ~ 8 to 7 Open Early
Sunday ~ 9 to 6
Note: The Behnke Florist is closed on Sunday
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