Mt. Cuba Center Spring and Summer Program Guide

VISIT THE GARDENS

HOURS

Wednesday – Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm

April 3 through November 24, 2024

*Gardens close at 4 pm in November

ADMISSION

Members Free

Adults

$15

Children ages 6–17 $8

Children 5 and under Free

Classes and events are subject to change. Please check mtcubacenter.org for the most up-to-date information.

ECO-GARDENING CONSULTATIONS

Two-hour private consultation at Mt. Cuba Center

$234 in addition to garden admission

This unique, two-hour private consultation and garden tour will inspire and guide your home landscaping choices. A Mt. Cuba consultant will provide a customized experience to meet your gardening needs. Leave with curated resources and a new landscaping perspective. Schedule at least two weeks in advance.

MEMBERSHIP

Grow with us! Membership is your pass to escape, explore, and engage with Mt. Cuba’s native plant gardens and so much more. Be part of Mt. Cuba’s mission to inspire an appreciation for the beauty and value of native plants and a commitment to protect the habitats that sustain them.

All packages include:

• Unlimited garden admission for one year

• Complimentary guest passes

• Discounts at Gateway Garden Center in Hockessin

• Discounts at participating Brandywine Valley Attractions

• Member pricing on select programs

• Free snack and drink per visit

Select packages offer additional benefits. Mt. Cuba Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. A portion of membership is tax deductible.

today at mtcubacenter.org/membership

LOCATION

3120 Barley Mill Road Hockessin, DE 19707

FOOD AND DRINK

Light refreshments are available for purchase onsite, and guests may bring food into the gardens. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Use the picnic area under the shade of mature native trees, find a seat in the garden or Upper Allee, or borrow one of our picnic blankets. Guests are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Formal Gardens, Trial Garden, and Woods Path are now paved and hardscaped providing a new ADA accessible route through the gardens around the Copeland House. Due to our rolling terrain and mulched paths, access to level, even terrain in the naturalistic gardens and natural lands is limited. Golf cart transportation to select locations throughout the garden is available. A wheelchair, walking sticks and a walker are also available. Reservations not required. Call 302.239.4244 or visit mtcubacenter.org/accessibility for more information.

VISITING WITH CHILDREN

We welcome guests of all ages. Baby carriers and backpacks may be helpful while exploring our hillside gardens. All-terrain strollers are recommended. Venture into Bluey’s Woods and discover a little library, nature play activities, and more.

REGISTRATION

All classes are available for registration online at mtcubacenter.org/programs or by calling 302.239.4244. Many classes fill quickly, so please register early to avoid disappointment. If your confirmation states “Wait List,” you will be contacted if an opening occurs.

PAYMENT & REFUNDS

Payment is required upon registration. Refunds are issued if registration is withdrawn at least seven days in advance of the scheduled start date or if the class is canceled.

CLASS CANCELLATIONS & GARDEN CLOSURES

Occasionally, we may cancel classes due to inclement weather, insufficient registration, or unforeseen circumstances in which a refund will be issued. For updated information regarding closures and cancellations, call 302.239.4244 (option 2) or visit mtcubacenter.org

STUDENT INFORMATION

• Many classes are held outdoors.

• Please dress for the weather conditions.

• Wear sturdy shoes as walking paths may be uneven.

• Sunscreen, hats, and insect repellant are recommended.

• Due to our rolling terrain and mulched paths, the use of wheelchairs is limited.

• Programs are held rain or shine unless specified otherwise.

• Be advised that certain classes may be recorded and videotaped for educational or promotional purposes.

• Please call 302.239.4244 or email education@mtcubacenter.org with questions or concerns.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS

Many Mt. Cuba Center classes are approved for continuing education credits through organizations that serve arborists, certified nursery professionals, landscape architects and designers, organic growers, and other green industry professionals. Class descriptions with the CEU icon qualify for professional development hours with accrediting agencies. For full details, visit mtcubacenter.org/ceu

CEU

BRING YOUR GROUP TO MT. CUBA

Wow your group with a visit to Mt. Cuba’s formal and naturalistic gardens, a tour, talk, or even a hayride and a hike. Top it off with a scrumptious meal and send your guests home with their very own native plant. Visit mtcubacenter.org/groups for more information. Call 302.239.5083 or email groupsales@mtcubacenter.org to make a reservation.

GROUP ADMISSION

$14 per person for groups of 10 or more when scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Groups traveling by bus must make prior arrangements.

GROUP DINING

Complete your Mt. Cuba experience with a delicious meal, including breakfast, lunch, tea, or a wine and cheese reception.

GOT PLANTS?

Ask about the option for your group to take home a native plant. Order in advance to receive a group discount. Plants subject to availability.

GROUP TOURS

Welcome Walks

One hour, $5 per person in addition to garden admission.

Garden Enthusiast Tour

Two hours, $7 per person in addition to garden admission.

Guided Trails Hike

Two hours, $7 per person in addition to garden admission.

Hayride Highlights Tour

One hour, $125 in addition to garden admission.

Hayride & Hike

Two hours, $175 in addition to garden admission.

...OR BRING MT. CUBA TO YOUR GROUP!

Learn about what Mt. Cuba does best — native plants — from our gardening experts. Our selection of online or in person lectures includes time for audience questions and answers. For more information or to view our lecture offerings, visit mtcubacenter.org/groups.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Mt. Cuba Center’s science-based youth programs provide an immersive and inspiring introduction to our natural world. Developed for groups ranging in age from 5 to 18, these educational programs explore the wonder of local habitats, teach the importance of native plants, and reveal fascinating plant and wildlife interactions. All youth programs are capped at a maximum of 15 students. Visit mtcubacenter.org/youth for more information. Call 302.239.5083 or email groupsales@mtcubacenter.org to make a reservation.

Pricing

Half day (2 hour) programs: $17 per student

Full day (4 hour) programs: $27 per student

One (complimentary) chaperone is required for every five students. Additional chaperones are $14 each.

Half-day packages include a morning or afternoon of activities in the garden. Full-day packages include everything in the two-hour visit, plus two hours in the natural lands with a hayride, lunch (bring your own), and activity.

Habitat Explorers

Grade Levels: K-3

Explore the wonder of our local habitats! This experience is designed to generate an interest in nature and the wildlife it sustains. Students will gain an introductory understanding of different habitat types and their characteristics through a series of outdoor, hands-on activities.

Eco-Observers

Grade Levels: 4-7

This experience provides an interactive, engaging introduction to how and why native plants are important to the ecosystem. Students will gain an intermediate understanding of the ecological value of native plants through a series of outdoor, hands-on activities and guided interpretation. Eco-Observers focuses specifically on how native plants provide habitat, improve water quality, and form the basis of the food web.

Conscious Conservators

Grade Levels: 8-12

Become a Conscious Conservator! Students will explore the complex relationships between native plants and wildlife, observe how invasive species and human activity can disrupt those relationships, and identify choices they can make to support local ecosystems.

EVENTS RECURRING PROGRAMS

DAILY WEEKLY

WELCOME WALKS

Guided walks are offered at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, Wednesday through Sunday when the gardens are open. Each walk brings Mt. Cuba Center’s mission of inspiring an appreciation for the beauty and value of native plants to life. This introductory tour is perfect for those who wish to learn more about the history of our gardens, native plants, and conservation tips to apply at home. One hour, $5 per person in addition to garden admission. Free for members.

STORY TIME SPROUTS

Thursdays, Memorial Day to Labor Day

10:30 – 11 am

Get lost in a book in Mt. Cuba’s gardens. Listen to stories from nature-themed children’s books ideal for kids ages five and under. Meet on the Upper Lawn in Bluey’s Woods. We recommend bringing a blanket to sit on. No reservations required. Included with garden admission.

GUIDED TRAILS HIKE

May – June | September – November

Saturdays & Sundays, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Learn about Mt. Cuba’s approach to land management and the events that shape our past, current, and future landscapes. Become empowered to take ecologically beneficial actions to support native wildlife and habitats with the effects of climate change in mind. Bring water and be prepared to hike steep paths and uneven terrain throughout our natural lands. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Two hours, $7 per person in addition to garden admission, free for members.

MONTHLY

Tickets include admission for the day, so stay for a picnic or enjoy the gardens after the tour has ended. Purchase tickets online at mtcubacenter.org/tickets or by phone at 302.239.4244. Walk-ins are accepted as space allows.

HEALTH & WELL-BEING TOUR: THE BENEFITS OF EXPERIENCES IN NATURE

Saturdays: 4/27, 5/25, 6/29, 7/27, 8/31, 9/21, 10/26, 11/16

11 am – 12 pm

This tour introduces concepts surrounding the value of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Explore the gardens and discuss the evolutionary and environmental phenomena behind concepts like forest bathing, mindfulness, stress recovery, and the biophilia hypothesis. Learn how elements of landscape design shape our emotional and behavioral experiences in nature. One hour, $7 in addition to admission, free for members.

DEMYSTIFYING TOXIC PLANTS TOUR

Saturdays: 4/6, 5/4, 6/1, 7/6, 8/3, 9/7, 10/5, 11/2

11 am – 12 pm

Join this walking discussion of toxic plant adaptations and how they influence plant defense, edibility, propagation, and ecological value for wildlife. Learn why many of these plants are maligned in horticulture and public perception, as well as some practical ways they can enhance a home garden. One hour, $7 in addition to admission, free for members.

GARDEN ENTHUSIAST TOUR

Saturdays: 4/13, 5/11, 6/8, 7/13, 8/10, 9/14, 10/12, 11/9

10 am – 12 pm

Take an in-depth look at the gardens and discover how to apply sustainable gardening practices. Learn about environmental topics such as climate change, systems-thinking, and consciously sourcing native plants for your region. This tour expands on concepts covered in the introductory Welcome Walk. Tours include walking over rolling terrain and mulched paths. Two hours, $7 in addition to admission, free for members.

FAMILY YOGA

Saturday 8/10

11 – 11:45 am (weather permitting)

Join local family-friendly yoga practice Petite Yogi for an outdoor yoga session in our South Garden. From beginners to experienced yogis, children ages four and up with an adult are invited to take this exciting yoga class designed to strengthen family bonds. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats. Included with garden admission.

TWILIGHT ON THE TERRACE

Fridays: 5/17, 6/21, 7/19, 8/16, 8/30, 5 – 8 pm (Inclement weather dates: following Fridays)

Unwind from the week with a bite to eat while enjoying live music on the terrace and evening access to the gardens. Food, beer, and wine will be available for purchase. Lineup, details, and more at mtcubacenter.org/twilight . Included with garden admission.

WILDFLOWER WEEKEND

Friday – Sunday 4/19, 4/20, 4/21 10 am – 6 pm (Rain or shine)

Experience a magnificent display of native spring blooms at the peak of their glory; enjoy three days of live music, gardening activities, outdoor family programming, and more. Food selections and native plants available for purchase, while supplies last. View the schedule and learn more at mtcubacenter.org/wildflower. Included with garden admission.

SPRING ART-IN

Saturday 6/8, 10 am – 6 pm

(Inclement weather date: Sunday, June 9)

Let creativity blossom while you draw, paint, or photograph Mt. Cuba Center’s beautiful, everchanging gardens and natural areas. Meet other artists and enjoy a lovely day of art and inspiration. Advance registration required for participating artists. Call Mt. Cuba at 302.239.4244 or visit mtcubacenter.org/artin to register and review guidelines. Free for participating artists!

CHRISTINA CULTURAL ARTS CENTER IN THE GARDENS

Friday 7/12, 6 – 7:30 pm

(Inclement weather date: Saturday, July 13)

Dance to the beat of your own drum while students and staff from Christina Cultural Arts Center showcase their talents in our gardens. Create and express yourself with family-friendly activities as you unwind from the week and enjoy a variety of live dance, voice, and musical performances. Food and beverages available for purchase. Included with garden admission.

KIDS CREATE

Saturdays: 5/18, 7/13, 8/10, 12:30 – 2 pm (Inclement weather dates: 5/25, 7/20, 8/17)

Join us for an afternoon of nature, artmaking, and fun! Mt. Cuba partners with award-winning folk artist, Eunice LaFate, to lead a unique children’s art program in the gardens. Kids will create a mural from natural materials and go home with their own painting. This program is intended for ages 4 to 12. Art supplies provided. Included with garden admission, advance registration required.

PAINTING WITH POKEWEED

NEW

Section A: Friday 9/20, 2 – 4 pm

Section B: Saturday 9/21, 10 am – 12 pm (Inclement weather date: Sunday 9/22, 10 am – 12 pm & 2 – 4 pm)

Celebrate native plants through a handson, ethnobotanical, foraging, and artistic experience. After a hayride through our natural lands, learn about the relationships Indigenous communities have with pokeweed, find out how to mindfully forage and gather pokeweed, make pèkòn (Lenape for red dye) with the berries, and create watercolor paintings with your homemade pèkòn. Painting with Pokeweed is a partnership between Mt. Cuba and Native Roots Farm Foundation. Children must be 8 or older to participate. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Included with garden admission, advance registration required.

FEATURED CLASSES

SPRING GARDENING SATURDAY

Spring is a season of beauty and conservation. Join our experts as they share how to simplify your garden efforts and maximize the beauty and allure of native plants. Stay for the day and attend all four classes or register for individual sessions.

Saturday 4/6, 10 am – 4 pm | $19 per session or $69 for all four

Gardening for Year-round Interest

With Nancy Bell

10 – 11 am

Native plants fit beautifully into the landscape because they are already adapted to our local growing conditions. Learn about a variety of wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and vines that are ideal for home gardens and provide color, texture, ecological services, and seasonal interest all year long.

Gardening with Nature in Mind

With Liz Allen

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Eco-friendly gardening works with nature, not against it. Learn how to simplify your gardening tasks, maximize your soil’s potential, and reduce water usage while supporting pollinators and local wildlife. Save time, energy, and resources using native plants to create beautiful, environmentally sound landscaping.

Keystone Species for Pollinator Gardens

With Leah Brooks

1:30 – 2:30 pm

Do you want to bring more butterflies, birds, and bees into your garden? Find out which plants will give you the most bang for your buck. Bring a list of your favorites to the nursery this spring and create the ultimate pollinator-friendly garden.

Right Tree, Right Place

With Nicole DeLizzio

3 – 4 pm

Tree health and sustainability in the landscape are largely dependent on selecting the appropriate tree before planting. Learn the process of selecting the right tree for the right site to maximize the maximize the longevity of your plant after installation.

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FEATURED CLASSES

Discover the Hidden Life of Flowers

With Teri Dunn Chace

Learn why flowers look and behave the way they do, why certain plants are placed in certain families, how flowers attract pollinators, and how pollination works. Teri Dunn Chace, author of Seeing Flowers: Discover the Hidden Life of Flowers, regales with amazing and entertaining stories from the era of plant hunters. Savor breathtaking photographs by Robert Llewellyn as Teri explains his image-stacking technique. Teri has over 35 books in publication. She has also written and edited for major consumer gardening and outdoor-living publications including Horticulture, North American Gardener, Backyard Living, and Birds and Blooms. Presently, Teri is the garden-andnature columnist for the award-winning “Bottom Line Personal” newsletter. With a broad range of expertise and interests, Teri has a taste for exploration and a talent for bringing back stories and information that resonate with insight and wonder — whether she’s examining flowers, pie, or small-town life.

A short reception and book signing will follow in the conservatory. Teri’s books will be available for purchase, or you may bring your own copy.

Sunday 4/28, 1 – 3 pm | $45

Gardening with Your Vegetables in Mind

With Rob Medicus

There are many ecological benefits to integrating vegetables into your native landscape. Whether you are new to vegetable growing or looking for ways to add edible plants to your ornamental landscape, this workshop will explain the essentials for success: site selection and preparation, planting, maintenance, and harvesting. Instructor Rob Medicus will also identify several great vegetables to incorporate into flower beds and borders for both an edible and ornamental reward.

Warm Season Vegetables: Wednesday 5/8

6 – 8 pm | $29

Cool Season Vegetables: Wednesday 8/21

6 – 8 pm | $29

Enroll in both sections for $54

Estate to Public Garden: Mt. Cuba’s History

With Vic Piatt

Celebrate National Public Garden Day with Mt. Cuba’s senior garden advisor, Vic Piatt, as he narrates the history of how the Copeland’s passion for place and plants inspired their home and gardens situated upon the rolling hills of the Delaware Piedmont. With the purpose of conservation and education, the Copelands established Mt. Cuba Center, which upon their passing became a public garden dedicated to inspiring an appreciation for the beauty and value of our native flora and the habitats that sustain them.

Friday 5/10, 10 am – 12 pm | $29

Bees: Foragers in Woody Habitats

With Kass Urban-Mead, PhD Pollinators in the woods? Explore the many ways wild bees nest and forage in woody habitats. Most native bees are solitary and have long evolutionary relationships with our beloved wildflowers and provide important pollination services which ensure the stability of many of our favorite fruits, nuts, and vegetables. In the northeastern US, up to one-third of our wild bee species prefer and rely on forest habitats. Some are specialized to only collect pollen and nectar from spring ephemerals on the forest floor, while others nest in rotting logs and in leaf litter deep in the woods. Join Kass UrbanMead from the Xerces Society for an adventure exploring how wild bees use the woods, from the leafy forest floor to the tippy top of the canopy! A tour of the Trial Garden with Mt. Cuba’s manager of horticulture research, Sam Hoadley, will conclude the class.

Wednesday 5/15, 1 – 3 pm | $39

CEU NEW NEW

Practices for Ecological Landscaping: A Plant-Insect Perspective

With Karin Burghardt, PhD

Humans actively manage and alter the majority of earth’s habitats. Many people notice the more apparent life stages of insects (particularly pests) in warmer months, but often don’t consider the habitats that insects and other critters need to thrive in managed landscapes. In this presentation, Karin Burghardt outlines ecological theory and scientific evidence on how decisions within one’s management scope (gardens, yards, parks, and other green spaces) alter plant/animal interactions, particularly the successful completion of insect life cycles. Further, Burghardt suggests tweaks to practices such as native plant selection and placement, yard care, and pest management to retain biodiversity and function in our spaces. Weather permitting, the session will include a plant-insect interaction walk in the gardens.

Thursday 5/16, 5 – 8 pm | $59

FEATURED

CERTIFICATE CLASSES

Changing Perspectives: From Nuisance Yard to Wildlife Habitat

With Julie Snell and Lisa McDonald Hanes

Living your values in your private or shared community landscape can be done with respect to your neighbors. Learn to work with entities like HOAs and neighborhood ordinances that present barriers to your ideas for lawn transition to habitat gardens. Join Julie Snell and Lisa McDonald Hanes from Redbud Native Plant Nursery and TEND landscape architects to discuss strategies to influence decision-makers regarding local landscapes.

Enjoy an after-hours garden walk with Julie and Lisa to conclude the class.

Thursday 6/20, 6 – 8 pm | $29

ON DEMAND LIBRARY

Gain gardening expertise whenever and wherever with Classes on Demand!

Featuring several of Mt. Cuba’s most popular courses: Carex for Every Garden

Eco Gardening Plain and Simple Fabulous Phlox

…and more!

Once purchased, students can watch the pre-recorded videos more than once or stop at any point and re-start it again later within 30 days of the purchase date. Classes on Demand are not pre-approved for CEU credits. Please check with your accrediting organization to obtain CEU credits for these classes. Visit mtcubacenter.org/classesondemand

certificate classes

ECOLOGICAL GARDENING CERTIFICATE

Whether you are a backyard gardener, landscape professional, or just interested in native plants and their wildlife connections, Mt. Cuba’s Ecological Gardening Certificate offers a comprehensive approach to gardening in harmony with nature using ecologically sound practices. Broaden your understanding of life in the soil, the fundamentals of ecofriendly gardening techniques, and how to identify and grow native plants. Learn how to attract and nurture beneficial wildlife such as birds, bees, and butterflies by creating inviting, biologically diverse landscapes. Use these skills to transform your garden or neighborhood greenspace, commercial property, or clients’ landscapes into habitats that enhance and preserve the ecological integrity of plant communities and their associated ecosystems. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Identify and use native plants in the landscape

• Apply organic gardening practices to create resilient environments

• Design and create ecologically sound gardens by imitating nature’s patterns and systems

• Manage plant health issues using sustainable techniques

• Become conservators of our natural habitats

Complete all classes to earn the certificate or take only the classes that interest you. Certificate classes are open to everyone; however, students enrolled in the certificate program have priority in registration. Students seeking the certificate must pass an evaluation (project, quiz, exam, etc.) for each course. Sign up for the certificate program and learn more at mtcubacenter. org/certificate or contact the Education Department at 302.239.4244.

*Explore and Engage Mt. Cuba members receive 10% off of Ecological Gardening Certificate courses. Visit mtcubacenter.org/membership for more information.

*These courses are ideal starting points for the Certificate program.

NATIVE PLANTS SERIES

Native plants of the Eastern Temperate Forest are beautiful, inspiring, and critically important for healthy landscapes. Using Mt. Cuba’s stunning gardens, learn to identify 60 trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials in each Native Plants course. Examine their key identifying characteristics, preferred growing conditions, overall size, and ecological significance. Students seeking the certificate must pass the onsite exam.

ONSITE NATIVE PLANTS SERIES 2024

One hour garden tours proceed the weekly lectures. Dress for the weather and wear reliable shoes as walking paths may be uneven. Classes are rain or shine.

Native Plants of Spring

With George Coombs and Jay Kratz

Six Wednesdays:

4/3 through 5/8

10 am – 12 pm | $205

Optional exam: Wednesday

5/15, 10 am – 12 pm

Native Plants of Summer

With Sean Camilleri and Michael Strengari

Six Wednesdays:

5/29 through 7/10

10 am – 12 pm | $205

*No class on July 3rd

Optional exam: Wednesday

7/17, 10 am – 12 pm

Native Plants of Fall

With Liz Allen and Laura Reilly

Six Wednesdays: 9/4 through 10/9

10 am – 12 pm | $205

Optional exam: Wednesday

10/16, 10 am – 12 pm

HYBRID NATIVE PLANTS SERIES 2024

Our highly popular Native Plants Series is available in a new course format. View the prerecorded lectures at your own pace prior to joining Mt. Cuba staff for scheduled onsite 2-hour garden tours. Dress for the weather and wear reliable shoes as walking paths may be uneven. Classes are rain or shine.

Native Plants of Spring

With Jay Kratz and Liz Allen

Six prerecorded online lectures available Monday 4/1

Three garden tours

Saturdays: 4/13, 4/27, 5/11

10 am – 12 pm | $205

Optional exam: Saturday

5/18, 10 am – 12 pm

Native Plants of Summer

With Kathleen Elliot and Melissa Starkey, PhD

Six prerecorded online lectures available Monday 5/27

Three garden tours

Saturdays: 6/8, 6/22, 7/13 10 am – 12 pm | $205

*No class on 7/6

Optional exam: Saturday

7/20, 10 am – 12 pm

Native Plants of Fall

With Liz Allen and Laura Reilly

Six prerecorded online lectures available Monday 9/2

Three garden tours

Saturdays: 9/14, 9/28, 10/12

10 am – 12 pm | $205

Optional exam: Saturday 10/19, 10 am – 12 pm

mtcubacenter.org

CERTIFICATE CLASSES

Managing Invasive Plants

With Ellen Lake, PhD, and Nate Shampine, CERP

Is your landscape being invaded by overly aggressive plants? Examine the problems caused by invasive plants and discover management strategies for controlling them. Learn how to identify common invasive weeds and how to distinguish them from similar looking native species. See invasive-plant management techniques and restoration strategies in practice in Mt. Cuba’s natural lands. Outdoor learning conducted to complement the lectures. Dress for the weather. These classes are rain or shine.

Thursdays 5/9 through 5/23

10 am – 2:30 pm | $229 (Lunch included)

Plant Propagation

With James Rockwell and Claire Zuidervliet

Save money and grow your garden through simple propagation techniques using seeds and cuttings. Review the ethics of wildcollected seed and learn the basics of seed biology, germination, and storage. Study the principles of asexual plant reproduction; learn when and how to take cuttings; and practice proper techniques for preparing and rooting them. Take samples home. Dress for this hands-on workshop by wearing closedtoe shoes. Please bring hand pruners.

Two Saturdays: 5/11 and 5/18

10 am – 2:30 pm | $189 (Lunch included)

Ecosystems and Plant Communities

With Lynn Mahaffy, PhD, and William McAvoy

Explore the dynamic and diverse plant communities present in our area. Learn how ecology, geology, hydrology, plants, and animals all interact to create healthy ecosystems through classroom study and field trips. Understand the complexities of these communities and how this information influences your home landscaping decisions. Enrich your learning with resources including the Flora of Delaware Online Database and a guide to Delaware Vegetation Communities.

Note: The third class consists of a field trip from 8 am – 4 pm. Bring lunch and prepare for a full day of hiking. Dress for the weather.

Three Thursdays 6/13 through 6/27

10 am – 4 pm | $369

(Lunch included on Day 1 and Day 2)

(Inclement weather date: Thursday, 7/11)

Plant Health Care

With Timothy Waller, PhD, and Mt. Cuba Staff Gardening ecologically requires knowledge of the various pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and viruses that affect native plants and the environmental conditions that lead to infection. Study strategies for prevention and control to implement in your garden. Focus on integrated pest management techniques as well as the identifying harmful and beneficial organisms. Go home knowing how to control pests in your garden using safe, wildlife-friendly practices.

Two Wednesdays and Two Thursdays: 7/24, 7/25, 7/31 & 8/1, 10 am – 2:30 pm | $399 (Lunch included)

Inviting Wildlife into the Garden

With Leah Brooks and Ian Stewart, PhD

Transform your landscape into a garden that attracts a wealth of wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and a wide variety of beneficial insects. Unlock the important connections between pollinators, plants, and habitats they require. Explore the gardens and trails at Mt. Cuba to observe the best native plants for migrating and resident birds. Learn the importance of providing water and shelter in your garden and the value of creating environments that sustain wildlife year-round.

Three Thursdays: 8/8 through 8/22

10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)

Enhancing Life in the Soil

With Mark Highland Native plant communities are supported by healthy, balanced soils that contain a vast array of living organisms including microbes, insects, and other fauna. Learn the basics of soil science, the value of organic matter and its role in soil structure and nutrition, and the importance of soil organisms. Learn how to make and use compost and compost tea, and how sustainable gardening practices contribute to creating high quality garden soil. Go home with a greater understanding of the life in your soil and knowing why you won’t need to buy fertilizer ever again.

Section A: Three Wednesdays:

8/14 through 8/28

10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)

Section B: Three Tuesdays: 9/3 through 9/17

10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)

CERTIFICATE CLASSES

Ecological Arboriculture

With Nicole DeLizzio, Scott Kelley, and William Trescott

Develop a deeper connection to trees by understanding their outsized role in our natural ecosystems. Trees provide habitat and food. They support nutrient-cycling in forest systems through leaf-drop and decomposition, mediate temperatures, mitigate stormwater, and soil erosion, and are culturally significant to the mid-Atlantic region. Examine the ecological features of trees while learning about their anatomy and care. Find out how trees contribute, in both life and death, to forest ecology. Learn why large, mature trees need to be conserved and how climate change could impact forests in the future. Outdoor learning conducted to complement the lectures. Dress for the weather. These classes are rain or shine.

Section A: Wednesday 10/23 through Friday 10/25

10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)

Section B: Three Wednesdays:

10/30 through 11/13, 10 am – 2:30 pm $299 (Lunch included)

COMING SOON!

Dates for the following 2025 Ecological Garden Certificate classes to be announced in August.

Botany for Gardeners

Ecological Landscape Design

Sustainable Landscape Techniques

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gardening classes

Weeds 101

With Liz Allen

Think of what gardening would be like without the world of weeds. Learn how to identify the most common annual and perennial lawn and garden weeds using leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds. The fall section covers species that should be removed before winter, making next year’s garden more maintenance free. Ecologically friendly methods of managing weed infestations are discussed. Join the instructor on a walk through the gardens. Class is rain or shine.

Spring Section: Friday 4/12

10 am – 12 pm | $29

Fall Section: Friday 10/4

10 am – 12 pm | $29

Enroll in both sections for | $54

How to Purchase High-Quality Trees

With Kevin Zuidervliet

How do you know if the tree you are about to purchase is going to thrive in the landscape? Learn the traits to look for in a superior tree and the common pitfalls to avoid, such as improper pruning and buried collars. Kevin will teach you how to navigate the nursery with confidence. Class will include a demonstration and examination of a containerized root mass.

Spring Section: Saturday 4/13, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Fall Section: Saturday 9/14, 1 – 3 pm | $29

GARDENING CLASSES

Introduction to Bonsai Using Native Trees

With Brian Tuel

The art of Bonsai has a long and rich history in Japan and other Eastern Asian countries – one that translates easily to our region using native trees and proper techniques. Join members of the Pennsylvania Bonsai Association to explore the history and fundamental elements and styles of this ancient art. Students will learn how to choose, plant, train, and provide long-term care to a young specimen tree. Go home with a new native Bonsai tree of your own. Please bring sharp pruners/scissors, gardening gloves, and a flat box to transport your tree home.

Saturday 4/13, 10 am – 1 pm | $85 (Materials included)

Shade Loving Spring Perennials

With Nancy Bell

From foamflower and heucheras to hydrangeas and ferns, the unique colors and textures of shade loving plants create exciting new effects and beautifully accent existing specimens. A guided tour of the garden to highlight the shade loving beauties included.

Wednesday 4/24, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Small Trees for Small Spaces

With Duncan Himmelman, PhD

Let’s face it, most gardeners aren’t working with an endless amount of space, which makes plant selection a challenge, especially trees. Discover a variety of small, locally adapted trees that can provide multi-season interest, tolerate shade or sun, and not overtake your yard!

Friday 5/3, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Spring Groundcovers

With Duncan Himmelman, PhD

Kick mulch to the curb and plant a tapestry of hardy native plants for a more visually appealing and ecologically valuable landscape. Discover ten attractive, tough, and versatile species to use as groundcovers for spring and early summer appeal.

Saturday 5/4, 10 am – 12 pm | $29

Early Season Garden Care

With Olivia Kirkpatrick

Gardens can quickly get away from us in the summertime, with elevated temperatures and rainfall causing many plants to grow in leaps and bounds. Learn and discuss approaches to early-summer maintenance to help you stay ahead of challenges experienced in the throes of the growing season, from simple techniques, like managing the size of those oft-flopping tall perennials with a simple “Chelsea Chop,” to more complex management strategies.

Sunday 5/5, 1 – 3 pm | $29

GARDENING CLASSES

NATIVE CONTAINER CREATIONS

With Susan Dixon

Practice conservation by addition carried out through creating a different native container throughout the seasons with a colorful selection of native plants in these make-and-take classes. Bring your preferred pair of gardening gloves and a box for transporting the finished container. Plants and container included.

Spring Beauty Container

Celebrate the beginning of gardening season. Learn what spills, thrills, and fills with a colorful selection of shade-loving native plants.

Sunday 5/5, 12 – 2 pm | $89

Bog Container

Construct your own colorful and captivating bog garden in a container. Learn how to create the conditions necessary for growing these exceptional sun-loving plants and proper longterm maintenance techniques.

Sunday 5/19, 1 – 3 pm | $89

Sensational Summer Container

Use bold foliage as the focal point for a summer container that steals the show. Interweave softer, finer-textured plants and add brightly colored flowers to create an imaginative and eye-catching creation perfect for a sunny spot.

Friday 6/7, 10 am – 12 pm | $89

Fall Fresh Container

Usher in the cool days with vibrant colors of fall with a container combining autumn flowering perennials with richly textured foliage plants preferring full sun conditions.

Friday 9/6, 10 am – 12 pm | $89

Workshop: Introduction to Moss Gardening

With Beth Castelletti and Emily Tinalli

Whether you have an existing presence of moss or want to learn how to establish your own emerald carpet, this class presents the structure and life cycle of mosses while discussing the many benefits of having a moss garden. Learn a few common moss species and how to manage moss you may find in your home landscape. Visit Mt. Cuba’s moss bank, a luxurious carpet of soft green moss and unique plant community with the instructors. Enjoy a moss sample to take home.

Friday 5/17, 10 am – 12 pm | $44

Amsonia for Every Garden

With Sam Hoadley

Amsonia, or bluestars, are a rugged, versatile, and endlessly garden-worthy genus that deserve a place in any home garden. Without exception, bluestars are long -lived and provide multiple seasons of interest from their blue flowers in April and May, to their beautiful foliar textures in the summer, and striking golden color in the autumn. In addition to being exemplary garden plants, Amsonia support a variety of early season pollinators, including bumble bees and hummingbirds, and are even host plants for several butterflies and moths. Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba’s manager of horticultural research, will be your guide through the trials, sharing how Amsonia was evaluated to determine horticultural value and performance, disease resistance, and pollinator preference.

Section A: Saturday, 5/18, 10 am – 12 pm | $29

Section B: Saturday, 10/19, 1 – 3 pm | $29

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GARDENING CLASSES

Small Space Gardening

With Nancy Bell

Even a small yard can include native plants that fit neatly into your neighborhood style and provide ecological benefits. This class will provide practical examples of easy-to care-for colorful perennials, compact shrubs, vines, and small flowering trees that can transform your tiny bit of paradise into a beautiful and functional garden. A list of hardy native plants for sunny, shady, wet, or dry sites is included with the class.

Saturday 5/18, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Workshop: Pruning Trees Correctly

With Nicole DeLizzio, Scott Kelley, and William Trescott

Although trees often perform quite well without intervention, pruning is performed by arborists to address safety issues and to improve structure, health, and appearance. Join the Mt. Cuba Arboriculture Team for a discussion of pruning equipment and a demonstration of professional pruning techniques. Students are encouraged to share their own questions about pruning in advance. A portion of the class will be held outside; please dress for the weather.

Wednesday 5/22, 10 am – 1 pm | $39 (Inclement weather date: Wednesday 5/29)

Workshop: Tree ID from the Trail

With Nicole DeLizzio and Scott Kelley

Take a hike through the woods with the Mt. Cuba Arboriculture Team and learn to recognize common native trees. Tree identification becomes quick and rewarding when using easy and practical identification tricks such as leaf shape, bark texture, silhouettes, and fruit and nuts found on the ground. Class will be held entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather and hiking on steep paths and uneven terrain.

*Parking for this event is at 1003 Old Wilmington Road, just east of Brackenville Road.

Saturday 6/1, 10 am – 12 pm | $29 (Inclement weather date: Sunday 6/2)

GARDENING CLASSES

Sun-Loving Garden Perennials

With Nancy Bell

What are the best native perennials for a sunny garden? Learn some easy-to-grow, sunloving species and varieties that thrive in our region. Take a tour of Mt. Cuba’s wildflower gardens and discover plants that add beauty and bring a host of pollinators to your landscape from spring through fall.

Saturday 6/15, 10 am – 12 pm | $29

Great Native Plants for Difficult Sites

With Nancy Bell

What plants can tolerate constantly wet areas, or clay soil, or relentless sun, or deep shade? A select group of native plants that can take on those challenges, look great, and provide ecological services – all at the same time. Leave with a list of plants to help solve the difficult site dilemmas that you may have!

Saturday 6/15, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Instant Butterfly Garden

With Melissa Starkey, PhD

Attracting butterflies to your yard is a wonderful way to increase the ecological value of your property and connect with the natural world. Discuss plants that provide food for adult butterflies and their caterpillars and how to create suitable habitats for these ephemeral beauties. Take home five floriferous native pants and easy-to-use instructions for making a butterfly garden of your own.

Saturday 6/22, 1 – 3 pm | $59 (Plants included)

Water Gardens Big and Small

With Kelly Billing

From patio pots to earth bottom ponds, water in the landscape contributes to a remarkably diverse ecosystem. Pond pots, sometimes referred to as “still pots,” nestle nicely into small spaces, such as balconies or decks, but they can also be tucked into nooks and crannies in spacious gardens. Large ponds require more area and can have the added benefits of recreational swimming, fishing, or paddling around. Big or small, all ponds need to be balanced. There are creative ways to curb excess nutrients in all types of ponds and water bodies. Plants have been keeping them clean and healthy for millions of years. Native plants are the easiest for management, resilience, and limited maintenance. Learn ways to address concerns before they become a problem and how to correct them if necessary. This class includes a tour of the ponds at Mt. Cuba.

Sunday 7/14, 1 – 4 pm | $39

Native Alternatives to Invasive Ornamentals

With Leah Brooks

Non-native invasive plants, like Japanese barberry and English ivy, damage our environment by invading natural areas and outcompeting native plants. To help stop the spread, the Delaware state legislature recently passed a law banning the sale of 36 invasive plant species. Join Leah Brooks as she presents beautiful native alternatives to these invasive ornamentals and explains how making these substitutes helps protect our ecosystems. A garden walk to view recommended plants is included.

Friday 7/19, 1 – 3 pm | $29

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GARDENING CLASSES

Late Season Garden Care

With Olivia Kirkpatrick

The end of summer is traditionally seen as the end of the gardening season, but in the ecological garden, the gardening season is year-round. Perennial division, structural pruning, and invasive management are just a few of the tasks best performed in the cooler months. Learn and discuss approaches to fall and winter maintenance to keep your garden performing for years to come.

Saturday 8/24, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Gardening with Birds in Mind

With Jessica Shahan

Discover how to create a landscaped habitat that emphasizes species diversity, seasonality, garden design elements, and the importance of your garden in a regional context for birds. You will walk through the gardens to observe habitat structure, diversity, and seasonality, then end with an exercise on designing gardens for specific groups of birds.

Wednesday 9/11, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Designing with Native Grasses

With Leah Blanton

Beautiful, versatile, and important for wildlife, native grasses are pillars of the naturalistic garden. Gain confidence designing with grasses as you learn about species with the most value and utility, how to integrate them into large and small plantings, and key design considerations to increase their impact in the landscape. This class includes a walk through the gardens highlighting native grasses.

Saturday 9/28, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Planting the Woodland Edge

With Leah Blanton

The woodland edge is crucial for protecting forests and providing habitat to wildlife. With increased fragmentation due to development, patchy forest is a common feature of suburbia. Discover what plants stabilize the woodland edge and maximize value to wildlife, and how we can use our own backyards to resemble this important habitat.

Saturday 10/12, 1 – 3 pm | $29

classes conservation

Terrific Trillium

With Élan Alford, PhD

Mt. Cuba’s premier collection of native trilliums provides a spectacular floral display each spring. Enjoy an informative overview of our efforts to protect and conserve this iconic genus and their culture and care as garden plants. A tour of our woodland gardens to see these jewels of the forest floor completes the day.

Saturday 4/13, 10 am – 12 pm | $29

Conserving Delaware’s Rare Plants

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With Élan Alford, PhD

Although a small state, Delaware has a collection of fascinating rare plants in need of conservation. Rare plant conservation is a science that requires a high degree of expertise, such as botanical identification. Gain a deeper understanding of rare plants and the systems to classify and protect them with Élan Alford, Mt. Cuba’s plant conservation scientist. Explore the gardens during a guided walk highlighting a selection of Delaware’s rare plants. Dress for the weather. Bring a water bottle and your lunch.

The Secret Lives of Spring Wildflowers

With Ellen Lake, PhD

Skunk cabbage, bloodroot, and trout lilies are among the first signs of spring and warmer weather ahead. Spring ephemerals and wildflowers must complete part of their life cycles before the tree canopy leafs out, reducing light levels at the forest floor. These plants face many challenges including unpredictable weather and pollinator availability. Spring wildflowers have special adaptations to overcome these challenges, and intricate relationships with pollinators and seed dispersers. Learn more about these wildflowers, their life histories, and plantinsect interactions, and look for them during a guided walk in the gardens.

Section A: Thursday 4/25, 1 – 3 pm | $29 (Inclement weather date: Friday 4/26)

Section B: Saturday 4/27, 10 am – 12 pm | $29 (Inclement weather date: Sunday 4/28)

Learning the Language of Birds

With Holly Merker

Calling all bird lovers! When a bird sings, it’s telling you what it is and where it is. Increase your chances of successfully sighting and identifying songbirds “by ear” this spring using Holly’s intriguing strategies. Learn how, why, and when birds sing, and come away with foundational skills for understanding and learning the language of the birds right outside your own doors. Dress for the weather, bring your binoculars, and wear practical shoes for walking over uneven paths. Pace will be slow to accommodate most mobility levels.

Saturday 4/27, 8 – 11 am | $39

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Hike the Mt. Cuba Natural Lands Loop

With Mt. Cuba Staff and Joe Sebastiani Reconnect with nature in this exceptional behind-the-scenes trek through Mt. Cuba’s natural areas with our Natural Lands Team and Joe Sebastiani, director of adult engagement at Ashland Nature Center. Along the way, scout for birds, discover native spring ephemerals, explore old-field meadows, and learn about several of Mt. Cuba’s restoration projects and experiments. Be prepared for a four-mile hike through hilly, uneven, and occasionally steep terrain. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars, a water bottle, and lunch.

Friday 5/10, 9 am – 1:30 pm | $35 (Inclement weather date: Friday 5/17)

Milkweed and Monarchs

With Ellen Lake, PhD, and Sam Hoadley

The study and preservation of the iconic monarch butterfly is a focal area for the conservation and research team at Mt. Cuba. Join Ellen Lake, director of conservation and research, and Sam Hoadley, manager of horticultural research, who will introduce the monarch’s biology and interactions with milkweed and discuss the fascinating nature of their migration. Students will take a tour of the newly planted milkweed trial and compare several milkweed species.

Section A: Saturday 6/29, 10 am – 12 pm | $29

Section B: Wednesday 7/10, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Dragonflies: Aerial Acrobats

With Michael Moore, PhD

Dragonflies have been around for 300 million years, with several extinct species having wingspans of over two feet. Inhabiting sites around lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands, they are excellent predators, eating mosquitoes and other small insects. Michael Moore presents a detailed examination of the habitats that support dragonflies, as well as their lifecycles, foraging behaviors, and reproductive strategies. Tour our ponds and see how these aerial acrobats fit into our ecosystems and how you can create a place in your garden for them.

Friday 7/12, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Caterpillars 101

With Ellen Lake, PhD

Learn about the amazing adaptations of caterpillars from host specialization to defensive mechanisms. Discuss the critical role caterpillars play in food webs. Discover signs of caterpillar activity, tools to identify them, and explore a restoration planting to hone your search skills.

Section A: Thursday 8/22, 9 am – 12 pm | $39

Section B: Saturday 8/24, 9 am – 12 pm | $39

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classes food & drink

Trillium and Wine: Complementary Pairings

With Robert Raguso, PhD

Great wine and food pairings either emphasize the similarities or highlight the differences between the two. Robert Raguso studies the floral scents of native plant species, including trilliums, a core collection at Mt. Cuba. Trilliums are noteworthy for not smelling like conventional flowers, with fragrances that evoke wine, cheese, fruit, and spices. He has assembled a “flight” of Mt. Cuba trilliums and several wines that complement their woodsy aroma. Explore the chemistry and ecological value of various trillium scents and take note of the pairings you like. (Ages 21 and over)

Saturday 4/27, 3 – 5 pm | $45

FOOD & DRINK CLASSES

Sip and Stroll: Greenhouse Tour

With James Rockwell and Diane Keesee With a signature cocktail in hand, tour our newly constructed conservation research greenhouse with James Rockwell. This facility is designed to be net-zero energy, utilizing solar and geothermal applications. This evening tour will showcase technology and design features as well as highlight current conservation propagation projects. Sample signature cocktails prepared by mixologist Diane Keesee, who uses ingredients foraged from common local plants for a new twist in mixology.

(Ages 21 and over)

Friday 5/3, 5 – 7 pm | $45

Gin & Junipers

With Diane Keesee

From garden to glass, this well-loved spirit has evolved from an herbal medicine to a staple behind the bar, originating in the Middle Ages and popularized during the reign of King William III, gin derived its predominant flavor from juniper berries. Today, gin is produced in subtly different styles and brands. Learn the history of gin, the role of junipers in gin production, and taste a variety of gins distilled with herbs, spices, and fruit. (Ages 21 and over)

Saturday 6/15, 3:30 – 5:30 pm | $45

FOOD & DRINK CLASSES

Go Native with Infused Vodkas

With Diane Keesee

Mixologist and purveyor of fine spirits, Diane Keesee, demonstrates how easy it is to create uniquely flavored vodkas using native plants. Learn how to select the best vodkas, use flavoring, and elevate the quality of the infusion. Sample a variety of infused vodkas and leave inspired to customize your own signature cocktail.

(Ages 21 and over)

Saturday 7/20, 3:30 – 5:30 pm | $45

Shrubs Aren’t Just for the Garden

With Diane Keesee

Popular during the American colonial era, shrubs are a soft drink or cocktail made by mixing a vinegar-based syrup with spirits, water, or seltzer. In this class we will explore using vinegar with fresh fruit and herbs from the garden to make thirst-quenching beverages, perk up a salad dressing, or enhance your favorite cocktail.

(Ages 21 and over)

Saturday 8/24, 3:30 – 5:30 pm | $45

Field to Fork: Venison

With Nate Shampine

High levels of white-tailed deer populations have detrimental effects on native ecosystems. The sound management and harvesting of these animals has been shown to be the best way to reduce large herd numbers. Observe and experience how our natural lands manager, Nate Shampine, utilizes the different cuts of meat. Enjoy three courses of venison dishes with the evening’s private chef, Connor Ryan from The Box Lunch, LLC. Cash bar available. (Ages 21 and over)

Saturday 9/14, 6 – 9 pm | $99

(Inclement weather date: Sunday, 9/15)

Wild Game Over the Flame

With Nate Shampine

It’s build your own taco night – with ecology in mind! Mt. Cuba’s natural lands support a variety of wild game, some of which have negative impacts on our native vegetation. Management of these species provides us with locally sourced, sustainable food. Take a hayride to begin a casual evening around a campfire, grilling wild game meats and veggies. Fresh toppings and everything you need to make Mt. Cuba inspired tacos and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

*Parking for this event is at 1003 Old Wilmington Road, just east of Brackenville Road.

Sunday 10/13, 4 – 6 pm | $69

(Inclement weather date: Sunday 10/20)

classes art

Pyrography: Woodburning Art for Beginners

With Nicole DeLizzio and Maria Phillips

Create your own beautiful wood-burned artwork in this one-of-a-kind workshop. Discover different woodburning techniques, compare how different types of wood burn, and explore your artistic side by creating various textures, shapes, and designs with a simple-to-use wood-burning pen. All supplies are provided; just bring your creative spirit!

Section A: Friday 4/12, 10 am – 12 pm | $49

Section B: Saturday 4/13, 1 – 3 pm | $49

Colored Pencil Techniques: Female Cardinal

With Emma Brittain

Join artist Emma Brittain as she guides you in discovering the art of identifying subtle colors and enhancing the vibrancy of your drawings. In this class, participants will learn to use artist-grade colored pencils to sketch a female cardinal. The primary emphasis will be on refining colored pencil techniques and honing the ability to perceive the myriad of colors concealed within seemingly mundane shades of brown.

A sketchbook or drawing grade paper and 24 or more pack of Prismacolor colored pencils.

Thursday 5/23, 5 – 7 pm | $29

ART CLASSES

SPRING BOTANICAL ART SERIES

With Margaret Saylor

Wildflowers in Color

Bring yourself to the next level with drawing native wildflowers from Mt. Cuba’s unique collections. Learn basic botanical drawing skills, such as composition, scale, and perspective, while introducing simple color techniques that add another dimension to your work. A series of step-by-step exercises, instructor demonstrations, and one-on one feedback sessions provide a strong foundation in botanical drawing. Students may work in watercolor or colored pencil.

Four Thursdays: 5/2 through 5/23

10 am – 1 pm | $155

Refined Botanical Drawing

Refine botanical drawing and composition skills, using color theory and exercises that reinforce botanical accuracy. Explore painterly techniques such as dry brush or watercolor washes that enhance individual style while remaining true to the tenets of botanical drawing. Sketch, compose, and execute a finished piece.

Four Thursdays: 5/30 through 6/27

10 am – 1 pm | $155

*No class on 6/6

ART CLASSES

Nature Photography

With David Greaves

Dramatic photos of wildlife seen in the garden are a joy to behold and an inspiration to all. Through lecture and onsite practice, professional photographer David Greaves presents insights on observing nature, using natural light to its best advantage, telling stories through photos, using varying angles, and more tips to further develop your skills in the art of capturing nature photography techniques. Students should bring a smartphone or camera to practice the techniques learned. If you have a tripod and are interested in learning how to better utilize it, bring it along. Dress for the weather.

Section A: Sunday 6/2, 1 – 3 pm (Inclement weather date: Sunday 6/16 1 – 3 pm) | $29

Section B: Sunday 10/6, 1 – 3 pm (Inclement weather date: Sunday 10/13 1 – 3 pm) | $29

Painting the Marvelous Monarch

With Monica Lopez

Allow the vibrancy and charisma of the monarch to inspire your time painting and collaging a work of art with artist, Monica Lopez. Learn paintbrush usage, color mixing, and color application on canvas while finding your unique painting style. Monica will guide you through finding artistic expression with personalized instructions. Open to all levels of experience. All materials will be provided.

Wednesday 6/19, 6 – 8 pm | $49

Leaf-Casting Workshop

With Kathleen Elliot

Encapsulate the splendor of nature in a resilient and functional piece of garden art using cement and real foliage as the mold. The cupped leaf sculpture creates a miniature water feature, attracting birds and butterflies to your garden. It is sure to add a new dimension to your backyard retreat. Wear old clothes and bring a pair of sturdy rubber gloves.

Section A: Saturday 7/27, 10 am – 12 pm | $49

Section B: Saturday 7/27, 1 – 3 pm | $49

Bittersweet Basket Weaving

With Jules Davis

While putting invasive bittersweet vines to use, explore the basics of basketry. Using simple tools and techniques, you will come away from the workshop with your very own hand-woven basket and an understanding of the importance of conserving the ecosystem and eradicating this pervasive vine. Learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare bittersweet vines for basket weaving.

Sunday 8/18, 1 – 3 pm | $49 (Materials included)

ART CLASSES

Workshop: Fall Foliage & Fungi Sketchbook

With Margaret Saylor

Observation of the natural world is the first step in creating a successful painting. Documenting objects and specimens in the field lets you gather ideas, gain inspiration, and discover how nature arranges its landscapes. This two-day workshop brings you through Mt. Cuba’s grounds in search of habitats with fungi foliage, and other materials to draw or paint in a sketchbook. Please bring your lunch. A detailed list of required materials is provided with registration.

Thursday 9/5, 10 am – 3 pm | $75

Fun with Botanical Watercolor

With Judy Simon

Using fresh specimens from the garden as a source of inspiration, develop fundamental watercolor painting skills. Learn paintbrush usage, color mixing, subject matter selection, and color application while finding your unique painting style. Judy guides you with personalized instruction and practical painting exercises designed to nurture your creativity. Open to all levels of experience. A detailed list of required materials is available with the online class description.

Wednesday 9/11 through Friday 9/13 10 am – 1 pm | $135

Craft a Fairy House

With Nancy Bell

Children—and those young at heart—love to play in the woods, so building a fairy house is a fantastic way to nurture an appreciation of the natural world and exercise imagination. Work with foraged twigs, bark, leaves, cones, and other botanicals to construct an enchanting garden home for fairies, elves, and trolls. Please meet at the Ticketing Terrace and turn a walk in the woods into magical memories for you and your favorite youngster.

Section A: Saturday 9/14, 10 am – 12 pm $8 for adults, $15 for kids (max 3 kids/adult)

Section B: Saturday 9/14, 1 – 3 pm $8 for adults, $15 for kids (max 3 kids/adult)

Eco-Printed Silk Scarves: Beginner

With Sara Setzer

Create stunning silk scarves using leaves and other natural materials in this one-day workshop. Learn how to bundle and wrap fabric and plant materials so that prints come out clearly and with maximum color. Discover how color-shifting occurs in the dye bath, how mordants assist the dye process, and how different fabrics and techniques affect the resulting color. Students will complete two full-length silk scarves. Bring your lunch.

Friday 10/4, 10 am – 2:30 pm | $95

(Materials included)

Eco-Printed Silk Scarves: Advanced

With Sara Setzer

Get ready to dive deeper into the art of eco-printing! In this advanced workshop, learn how to incorporate logwood, a natural dye that produces a variety of stunning purple tones, into your scarves. This class expands your knowledge of eco-printing on silk and teaches you new techniques for this beautiful craft. Lecture time is reduced to allow maximum time to craft three scarves of various silk or silk and wool materials. It is recommended that you take Eco-Printed Scarves: Beginner if you are unfamiliar with the process. Please bring your lunch.

Saturday 10/5, 10 am – 2:30 pm | $95

(Materials included)

CERTIFICATE CLASSES

ART

Felted Art: Moths, Bees, and Butterflies

With Sara Setzer

Capture the essence of nature while learning the beginning steps of three-dimensional needle felting. Local textile artist Sara Setzer demonstrates how to create beautiful designs of moths, butterflies, and bees using wool and other natural fibers in this relaxed crafting session. Leave with your own hoop framed piece of original art, ready to hang and admire. No experience needed. Bring your lunch.

Sunday 10/6, 10 am – 2:30 pm | $49

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Fall Botanical Watercolor

With Judy Simon

Preserve the beauty of fall through watercolor paintings with fresh specimens like colorful leaves, branches with berries, seed pods and more from the garden as a source of inspiration. Take a deeper dive into the tools and techniques of botanical watercolor painting. Judy focuses on color theory and traditional dry brush methods that create form and depth, bringing your watercolors to life. Previous experience with watercolor is recommended. A detailed list of required materials is available with the online class description.

Wednesday 10/23 through Friday 10/25 10 am – 1 pm | $135

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classes wellness

Yoga

With Melissa Stanley

Enjoy after-hours access to Mt. Cuba’s serene gardens. Increase range of motion, core body strength, and flexibility through the practice of yoga in a lovely setting. Focus on stretching techniques that safely promote proper spinal position, balance, and joint health. No experience is necessary. Bring a yoga mat, and towel, and wear comfortable clothing. (Teen friendly; minors must be accompanied by an enrolled adult.)

Six Wednesdays: 4/10 through 5/15 6 – 7 pm | $99

New time

New time and pay-as-you-go rate of $19 per class!

Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul

With Holly Merker

Finding balance in our busy and pressured lives can be challenging, but if we allow an appreciation of birds and nature to slow us down, we improve our overall well-being. Research shows that exposure to nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. Birds are gateways into deeper experiences with nature, magnifying these benefits. Through the mindful observations of birds and their habitats, we learn not only about them, but about ourselves.

Saturday 4/27, 1 – 3 pm | $29

Introduction to T’ai Chi Chih®

With Jessica Lewis

This introductory-level, easy-to-learn set of 20 movements offers a myriad of benefits including reductions in tension and chronic pain, plus improved balance. Based on the ancient Chinese principles of activation and circulation of energy (chi), T’ai Chi Chih is can easily be done by anyone, regardless of age or physical ability. Comfortable clothing is recommended.

Section A: Eight Thursdays: 5/2 through 6/27, 7:30 – 8:30 am | $132

*No class on Thursday 5/9

Section B: Eight Thursdays: 9/12 through 11/7, 7:30 – 8:30 am | $132

*No class on Thursday 9/19

Sound Bath Meditation

With Liana Thompson

With early access to the serene setting of the Mt. Cuba gardens, find harmony with your surroundings experiencing sound baths. While you focus on the sounds of the bowls, you may notice other sounds of nature, such as birds singing in response to the soothing sounds being played. Your stress and tension will slowly melt away as you allow your senses to absorb the environment around you.

Spring Section: Two Sundays: 5/5 and 5/12

9 – 10 am | $29

(Inclement weather date: Sunday 5/19)

Fall Section: Two Sundays: 9/8 and 9/15

9 – 10 am | $29

(Inclement weather date: Sunday 9/22)

T’ai Chi Chih®: Guided Practice

With Jessica Lewis

For those who have completed the introductory level class, guided practice is an ideal way to gain even greater physical and mental health benefits through closer examination and refinement of T’ai Chi Chih’s 20 simple movements. Instruction is very flexible, addressing the needs of individual students while leaving plenty of time for the group to enjoy a shared full practice experience during each session. Comfortable clothing is recommended.

Eight Thursdays: 7/11 through 9/5

7:30 – 8:30 am | $132

*No class on Thursday 7/25

INSTRUCTOR PROFILES

Élan Alford, PhD, is the plant conservation scientist at Mt. Cuba Center. She coordinates volunteer research, including rare plant monitoring. Prior to joining Mt. Cuba, Élan worked in environmental consulting and has volunteered as Rare Plant Chair for the California Native Plant Society Santa Clara Valley Chapter.

Liz Allen is an educator at Mt. Cuba and a Delaware Master Naturalist with the University of Delaware. She provides gardening consultations to local homeowners and schools who are looking to diversify and improve their landscape value with native plants. Liz is also the grounds manager for a school and has converted the entire property to native plants for children to study and enjoy. She also leads groups in invasive removal efforts, as well as creating public plantings. Liz is passionate about restoring nature’s balance by actively influencing plant communities.

Nancy Bell is the education and garden coach coordinator at Gateway Garden Center in Hockessin. She has Certificates of Merit in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from Longwood Gardens.

Kelly Billing is a Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist with more than 32 years of experience in the water gardening industry. She compiled and maintains the Aquatic Plant Invasive Species List for the nursery trade and is coauthor of The Water Gardener’s Bible and The Lotus: Know It and Grow It.

Leah Blanton is a planting designer and horticulturist, using her artistic eye and plant knowledge to create functional urban landscapes for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, where she designs a diverse range of public horticulture projects in Philadelphia. She co-owns an ecological garden design company and earned her certificate of Sustainable Garden Design from the New York Botanical Garden.

Emma Brittain is a studio artist and planning committee member for Black Birders Week. Her art often involves social commentary with animal or plant symbolism. She hopes to spread wonder and hope through her work.

Leah Brooks is Mt. Cuba’s public programs coordinator. She graduated from the University of Delaware with dual bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Science and Wildlife Ecology. She is an avid contributor to the Delaware Native Plant Identification and Exchange group on Facebook. Her passion is sharing the joy of nature and native gardening with others.

Karin Burghardt, PhD is an assistant professor in the Entomology Department at the University of Maryland and a research associate at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Karin received her M.S. and PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University and her B.S. from the University of Delaware in 2007, working with Douglas Tallamy. Trained as a community ecologist, she specializes in understanding plantinsect interactions in human-modified landscapes ranging from suburban yards to abandoned agricultural fields to managed forests.

Sean Camilleri is a senior horticulturist for the Woods Path and Trillium Garden at Mt. Cuba. He has a degree in horticulture from Ohio State University and several years working experience in public gardens in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Beth Castelletti is an assistant horticulturist working in the Upper and Middle Naturalistic gardens at Mt. Cuba. Prior to this, she spent three years as a seasonal horticulturists’ assistant rotating in several areas of Mt. Cuba. She earned a degree in Sustainable Horticulture from the Community College of Baltimore County.

George Coombs, director of horticulture at Mt. Cuba, leads a team of horticulturists, arborists, and grounds maintenance technicians who cultivate and improve formal and naturalistic gardens and play a pivotal role in the implementation of Mt. Cuba’s long-range master plan. He holds a degree in Plant Science from the University of Delaware with a focus in landscape horticulture.

Jules Davis is an art teacher and gardener. She holds a BA in Studio Art from the College of Wooster, and is currently pursuing in M.Ed. in Art Education at Tyler School of Art. Jules has over twelve years of horticulture experience and brings her combined passion for ecology and education to everything she does. Her favorite native flower to spot in the spring is Rue Anemone.

Nicole DeLizzio is the arborist assistant at Mt. Cuba. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources and a minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Her interest in pyrography comes from her combined passion for trees and art.

Susan Dixon is the perennial plant buyer and department manager at Gateway Garden Center in Hockessin, DE. She has attended classes in ornamental horticulture at New York Botanical Garden and is currently earning her Certificate of Merit at Longwood. She has a passion for wildlife and the native plants that support them.

Kathleen Elliot is a Mt. Cuba educator. She has a BS in Plant Science and English from the University of Delaware and earned a Certificate of Merit in Landscape Design from Longwood Gardens. She worked for fifteen years at a family-owned, plant-focused garden center in south-central Pennsylvania, where she multitasked between landscape design and garden center management.

David Greaves is a biologist at the EPA, wildlife photographer, and founder of the Nature Under Your Nose (NUYN) brand. His love for nature and the outdoors was discovered while growing up in the Washington, D.C. area. He uses his photography and his NUYN brand to encourage people of all ages, colors, and backgrounds to explore and enjoy the nature they can find all around them.

Mark Highland received an MS from the Longwood Graduate Program, focusing on compost and potting soil. He is the founder and president of The Organic Mechanic Soil Company, LLC, a local supplier of organic, peat free soils. Mark is the author of Practical Organic Gardening: The No-Nonsense Guide to Growing Naturally

INSTRUCTOR PROFILES

Duncan Himmelman, PhD is the former education manager at Mt. Cuba. He earned his doctorate in Ornamental Horticulture at Cornell University, has taught college level courses for 24 years, and has also contributed to several horticultural publications.

Sam Hoadley is the manager of horticultural research at Mt. Cuba, where he evaluates native plants to determine their horticultural and ecological values and produces award-winning reports on native plant research. Sam received his degree in Sustainable Landscape Horticulture from the University of Vermont.

Diane Keesee has a passion for creating interesting signature cocktails, spirit infusions, shrubs, and bitters, using unique seasonal ingredients. She has been involved in hospitality management and the beverage industry for more than 20 years, including having worked for Greenville Country Club and Vicmead Hunt Club.

Scott Kelley is the head arborist at Mt. Cuba. He has more than 35 years of experience working with trees and is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist®.

Olivia Kirkpatrick is a designer at GreenWeaver Landscapes, a design-build company providing ecological landscape design, construction, and gardening to southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware. Olivia worked in public gardens for several years before returning to landscape design with a renewed interest in landscape management and sustainability. They are particularly interested in artistic planting design, taking cues from native plant communities and environments. They hold a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Delaware.

Jay Kratz is a Mt. Cuba educator. He shares his enthusiasm for native plants outside Mt. Cuba’s gates as the co-horticulturist and Rancocas chapter leader for the Native Plant Society of NJ, and as a native plant garden designer and landscaper.

INSTRUCTOR PROFILES

Ellen Lake, PhD, is the director of conservation and research at Mt. Cuba. Ellen has an MS in Entomology and PhD in Entomology and Wildlife Ecology from the University of Delaware, where she researched biological control of mile-a-minute weed and how to integrate weed management techniques to restore plant communities. Ellen has extensive experience researching insect-plant interactions.

Jessica Lewis, CPT, CNC, is an Accredited T’ai Chi Chih instructor, Master Personal Trainer, and Certified Nutritional Counselor. Sculpt Your Life®, her private practice, provides a unique blend of customized exercise routines, solid nutritional advice, and movement-based relaxation principles for a diverse population of clients.

Monica Lopez is a proud Mexican visual artist. Ever since she was little, textures and colors of all sorts were a big part of how she viewed life. She uses her art to reflect on the person she is inside, showcase her feelings and emotions, and express her deep love for her roots and her heritage. By sharing her art, Monica helps others explore her rich culture in the hope that they fall in love with it too. Monica works with Healing Through the Arts at the Delaware Art Museum as an instructor for the Latin community.

Lynn Mahaffy, PhD, earned her PhD in Natural Resources (Wildlife Conservation) at Cornell University. She currently teaches courses for the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware, including Environmental Biology, General Ecology, and her favorite, Field Ecology, which exposes students to all the fascinating organisms and habitats surrounding us.

William McAvoy is Delaware’s state botanist. He extensively studied and published on the flora and habitats of the state. He is the lead author on a comprehensive native plant resource, Flora of Delaware Online Database

Rob Medicus has served as a Delaware Master Gardener since 1994. He loves creating and delivering horticultural workshops. Venues have ranged from UD Cooperative Extension to Osher Academy, Friends of White Clay Creek, lots of gardening clubs and more. In addition, Rob has headed the MG Vegetable and Fruit Demonstration Garden (2012–2014) and the Workshops and Speakers Bureau Committee (2016–2018). Rob gardens on 1/2 acre in Newark.

Holly Merker is an avid birder, educator, writer, and lecturer, who has a passion for bird conservation. She is an instructor for National Audubon and the American Birding Association and is the lead data reviewer for eBird in Pennsylvania. Holly believes in the powerful benefits nature holds for our wellbeing and is lead author on a book on the subject, aptly called Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul, guiding readers into deeper connections to the birds around them.

Michael Moore, PhD recently retired from being a biology professor after 38 years. He learned a love of the outdoors from his father who was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman. He has published nearly 100 papers in scientific journals. He was on the faculty at Arizona State University for 27 years but moved to the University of Delaware in 2009 and retired from there in 2020.

Maria Phillips is an artist and art therapist from Philadelphia, PA with a background in woodworking and printmaking. After a hiking trip to Glen Onoko Falls, she began wood-burning wildflowers and ferns. Using nature as the canvas, she hopes to encourage others to reflect on their relationship with the environment.

Vic Piatt is Mt. Cuba’s senior garden advisor and a graduate of Longwood Gardens’ Professional Gardener Program. He has held many positions at Mt. Cuba, including plant evaluation gardener, rock outcrop/scree gardens horticulturist, and gardens manager.

Robert Raguso, PhD, is a professor of Chemical Ecology at Cornell University. His research interests run the spectrum of insect-plant interactions mediated by chemistry, especially the role of fragrance in pollination ecology and animal behavior. He has promoted his research by organizing symposia, short courses, and workshops worldwide.

Laura Reilly is the trial garden assistant at Mt. Cuba where she evaluates native plants for horticultural and ecological value. She earned Longwood Gardens’ Certificate of Merit I and II and has spent several weeks at symposia at Great Dixter, an iconic British garden where respect for the natural environment goes hand in hand with gardening excellence.

James Rockwell is the greenhouse and nursery manager at Mt. Cuba, where he oversees plant propagation and production in our conservation research greenhouse. His work focuses on native species of conservation concern, producing plants for our gardens, partner organizations and the nursery industry. James earned a BS in Environmental Horticulture from Virginia Tech and has spent his career in public horticulture.

Margaret Saylor is the editor/designer of ASBA’s The Botanical Artist journal. She earned a Certificate in Botanical art and Illustration, with distinction, from the NYBG.

Joe Sebastiani is the director of adult engagement for the Delaware Nature Society. He is passionate about birds and wildlife, founded the Ashland Hawk Watch, and edits Delaware eBird, an online checklist program, for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Sara Setzer is a fiber artist who specializes in the art of felt work. Inspired by nature, she creates eco-dyed and printed scarves, wraps, and collars using natural materials and leaves.

Jessica Shahan is a biologist and educator at Newlin Grist Mill Park in Glen Mills PA. She earned her MS at the University of North Dakota, focusing on landscape ecology and grassland bird communities. In her spare time, she can be found banding birds at Rushton Farm Preserve in SE PA, leading youth trips for the DE Ornithological Society, and gardening for wildlife.

INSTRUCTOR PROFILES

Nate Shampine, CERP, is Mt. Cuba’s natural lands manager responsible for implementing land conservation practices through the creation and maintenance of healthy, functional ecosystems. He is a graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and he is also a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner through the Society for Ecological Restoration.

Judy Simon is a botanical artist and freelance illustrator who has combined her love of gardening with her drawing and painting career. She is a member of the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators and the American Society of Botanical Artists. Her work is in many private collections.

Julie Snell and Lisa McDonald Hanes are the co-owner/operator of Redbud Native Plant Nursery and co-founder and partner of TEND landscape architects.

Melissa Stanley has been a yoga instructor for children and adults since 2015. Melissa teaches a variety of styles, levels, and ages.

Melissa Starkey, PhD, earned her PhD in Biology from Northwestern University and an MS in Plant Biodiversity and Taxonomy from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and University of Edinburgh in Scotland. As part of her studies, she completed a certificate in field botany in Colombia. Melissa is an active Philadelphia County Master Gardener and PA Master Naturalist and serves on the Board of Directors at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center in PA.

Ian Stewart, PhD, was raised in Newcastle, England and received a doctorate in ornithology from the University of Leicester. He has conducted research on tree swallows and bluebirds and how local land management activities are affecting bird numbers and diversity throughout the year. Ian works for the Delaware Nature Society, where he is studying the effects of non-native plants on birds.

INSTRUCTOR PROFILES

Michael Strengari is a senior horticulturist at Mt. Cuba, where he works in the Formal Garden. During his career in horticulture, he has gardened at private estates, public institutions, and his home. He is a graduate of the Longwood Gardens Professional Gardener Program. With an eye for design and a passion for native plants he hopes to continue to inspire the public by creating and maintaining beautiful garden spaces.

Liana Thompson completed the Vibration Sound Therapy Certified Practitioner training with the Vibrational Sound Association in 2019. Her passion is in helping others gently address stress and emotional trauma using the healing sounds of the Tibetan singing bowls.

Emily Tinalli is the horticulturist for the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art where she gardens with native plants on their 10-acre Chadds Ford campus and co-coordinates the native plant seed and propagation program. Prior to that, she was a horticulturist with Mt. Cuba Center for eight years. She has a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Farmingdale State College.

William Trescott is the arboriculture manager at Mt. Cuba, where he has worked for 34 years. He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist®.

Brian Tuel has over 20 years of experience with the Art of Bonsai. He has numerous trees in his personal collection and has displayed them at the Philadelphia Flower Show. He is a devout gardener with a wealth of experience in the fundamental elements of horticulture and Bonsai.

Kass Urban-Mead is a Xerces Society pollinator conservation specialist and a partner biologist providing technical support for the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s conservation programs. For her PhD work at Cornell Entomology, she studied pollen collection by wild bee communities active in early spring forest canopies and apple orchards.

Timothy Waller, PhD is a Rutgers University, Cumberland County, NJ agricultural agent. He holds a PhD in Plant Biology, focused on Plant Pathology, and is tasked with mitigating pest issues, intercepting invasive species, improving farm sustainability and production techniques, as well as developing best management practices for the growers and green industry professionals of the Region.

Claire Zuidervliet is the conservation propagator at Mt. Cuba, where she propagates a large variety of native plants in the conservation research greenhouse. Before Mt. Cuba, Claire worked as a senior grower at Longwood Gardens, where she managed the stock plant collection and specialty Chrysanthemum propagation. She earned her B.S. in Floriculture and Nursery Production from Delaware Valley University.

Kevin Zuidervliet’s passion for plants has taken him from farms on the Tasmanian shore to Longwood Gardens. He works as the head propagator at Octoraro Native Plant Nursery, where he now focuses on producing the highest quality native trees and shrubs.