Behnkes History - Part III

The Post War Years: Prosperity at Last!

By Roland Behnke

After World War II, Behnke Nurseries, like many other nurseries and garden centers in the Washington, D.C. area, experienced phenomenal growth. Besides their popular African violets, Behnke's greatly expanded their selection of annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs and trees.

Before the War, the greenhouse was a homemade affair attached to the side of the family house. In 1946, Albert and Rose Behnke contracted with the Lord and Burnham Company to provide a modern steel and glass greenhouse with redwood trim, cypress benches and a hot water, coal-fired boiler for heating.

This was the first modern greenhouse constructed in the Washington area after the War. Thereafter, other greenhouses and a propagating house were built until, by 1951, there were three along Washington-Baltimore Boulevard (US Rte. 1), another double Orlyt wooden greenhouse in front of the family home, and a larger L & B greenhouse where the main retail area is today.

Separate buildings and sheds were built for transplanting seedlings and cuttings - many of which were set out in heated cold frames covered with glass sash.

(pictured above, greenhouse 1937)