Wednesday – Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm through November 24, 2024
*Gardens close at 4 pm in November
ADMISSION
Members
MEMBERSHIP
Grow with us! Become a 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.
Members receive:
$15
Free Adults
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.
• Unlimited garden admission for one year
• Free guided garden tours and trail hikes
• Complimentary guest passes
• Special member pricing and discounts
Get a free native plant at the Engage level! Mt. Cuba Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. A portion of your membership is tax deductible.
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, providing a new ADA accessible route through the upper gardens and around the Copeland House. Due to our rolling terrain and mulched paths, access to level, even terrain in the lower 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
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
You can find instructor bios on our website at mtcubacenter.org/programs/teachers .
STUDENT INFORMATION
• Many classes are held outdoors.
• Please dress for the weather conditions.
• Wear sturdy shoes as walking paths may be uneven.
• Sunscreen, hats, water, 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! Take a tour, book a talk, or schedule a hayride and guided hike. Top it off with a meal and send your guests home with a 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. Bus groups are welcome with 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 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
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.
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
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.
Thursdays, Memorial Day to Labor Day 10:30 – 11 am
GUIDED TRAILS HIKE
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.
May – June | September – November Saturdays & Sundays, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
MONTHLY
HEALTH & WELL-BEING TOUR: THE BENEFITS OF EXPERIENCES IN NATURE
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.
Saturdays: 8/31, 9/21, 10/26, 11/16 11 am – 12 pm
DEMYSTIFYING TOXIC PLANTS TOUR
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.
Saturdays: 9/7, 10/5, 11/2 11 am – 12 pm
GARDEN ENTHUSIAST TOUR
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.
Saturdays: 9/14, 10/12, 11/9 10 am – 12 pm
TWILIGHT ON THE TERRACE
Unwind from the week with a bite to eat while enjoying live music and evening access to the gardens. Food, beer, and wine available for purchase. Lineup, details, and more at mtcubacenter.org/twilight . Included with 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.
PAINTING WITH POKEWEED
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. Advance registration required.
Spend an autumn afternoon in the gardens celebrating Mexican culture, dance, and mariachi as Mt. Cuba partners with the Hispanic American Association of Delaware to bring you Fiesta en el Jardín! Bring a picnic and blanket to spread out on the lawn while enjoying performances from the Ballet Folklórico México Lindo, live music, and a selection of local artisan vendors. Celebrate Día de los Muertos early; come wearing your best sugar skull makeup and learn about the significance of mariposas monarca (monarch butterflies).
Saturday 10/12 12 – 3 pm
Included in garden admission
SUNSET AND S’MORES
Bring the family out for a scenic hayride through Mt. Cuba’s stunning natural lands. Arrive at a bonfire where you can kick back and relax or explore your surroundings. Enjoy fireside snacks, s’mores, and adult and familyfriendly beverages while the sun sets. Advance registration required. Space is limited.
Saturdays: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12
5 – 7 pm
Adults: $19
Children (2 – 17): $8
Children under 2: Free
HAY BALES AND BREWS
This unique hayride experience travels through rolling hills and grassland fields in Mt. Cuba’s picturesque natural areas. Learn about Mt. Cuba’s land management, conservation efforts, and restoration projects. Arrive at a bonfire for stunning vistas, tasty brews, and fireside snacks. Advance registration required. Space is limited.
Saturdays: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12
5:30 – 7:30 pm
$29 per person
Participants must be ages 21 and older.
TREE FESTIVAL
See trees in their autumn glory and learn how they add beauty and value to our landscapes. Enjoy fall-themed family-friendly programs, live music, hayrides, and more. Food and drinks available for purchase. Native plants for sale while supplies last. Learn more at mtcubacenter.org/treefestival.
Saturday 9/28
(Rain Date: Sunday 9/29) 10 am – 6 pm
Included in garden admission
NIGHT HIKES
See Mt. Cuba Center in a new light – no light, that is! Embark on a guided Night Hike to experience the stars and sounds of our natural lands after dark. Listen as the night comes alive with the chatter of owls, frogs, crickets, and maybe even a fox or two. Learn about the nocturnal animals that call our natural areas home and how to spot and listen for them once the sun goes down. Guests should be prepared to hike steep paths and uneven terrain. Purchase tickets online at mtcubacenter.org/nighthikes.
Discover the wild side of Mt. Cuba Center with a day of outdoor fun in our natural lands. Take to the open skies with kite-flying; get up close to Mt. Cuba’s trucks and tractors; navigate a nature obstacle course; and more! Embrace your inner explorer on a guided hike through rolling terrain. Food and beverage selections available for purchase. Visit mtcubacenter.org/natureplayday for more information.
Free parking for this event is at 1003 Old Wilmington Road, just east of Brackenville Road.
Saturday, November 2
(Inclement weather date: Sunday, November 3) 10 am – 4 pm
Included in garden admission
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 eco-friendly 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 registration before the release of each new program guide. 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 all Ecological Gardening Certificate courses. Visit mtcubacenter.org/membership for more information.
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)
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 may include walking over rolling terrain and mulched paths. 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)
CEU
CEU
Botany for Gardeners
With Eileen Hazard and Melissa Starkey, PhD
Have fun with botany! Understanding how plants grow and develop, how water and nutrients are taken up and distributed, and how leaves, flowers, stems, and roots function are key to becoming a successful gardener. Discover intriguing relationships between plants and pollinators, how seeds and fruits form, and why plants grow toward the sun. Develop basic plant identification skills and learn the reasons for using scientific names. You will be amazed at what goes on in the plants that live all around us. Dress for the weather.
Section A: Thursday 1/9 and Friday 1/10
10 am – 2:30 pm | $199 (Lunch included)
(Inclement weather date: Wednesday 1/15)
Section B: Friday 1/24 and Saturday 1/25
10 am – 2:30 pm | $199 (Lunch included)
(Inclement weather date: Friday 1/31)
Ecological Landscape Design
With Michael Blacketer, PhD and Serah Pesce
Ecologically sound landscapes are adapted to local environmental conditions and require fewer inputs to achieve success. Learn how to measure, inventory, and analyze a site; then make a conceptual design and planting plan using the “right plant, right place” approach. Broaden your design perspective, increase biodiversity in the landscape with native plants, decrease space dedicated to lawns, manage stormwater, and create habitats that benefit insects, birds, and other fauna. To explore design concepts, class will tour the gardens when possible so dress for the weather. An optional hour of guided studio time is scheduled each week following class from 1:30 – 2:30 pm during which students can work on the final class evaluation while interacting with instructors and classmates.
A detailed materials list provided upon registration.
Before enrolling in this course, completion of the Native Plants of Spring, Summer, and Fall, and Gardening for Watershed Conservation courses are recommended.
Six Wednesdays: 2/5 through 3/12
10 am – 1:30 pm (lunch included) | $479
Optional guided studio time following class 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Optional project evaluation: 3/19
(Inclement weather date: Wednesday 3/26)
Gardening for Watershed Conservation
With Lucy Dinsmore and Eileen Hazard
Learn how to implement various sustainable gardening and landscaping techniques that manage and conserve water. Reduce the demands of water management infrastructure by capturing rain and keeping it onsite. Discover the changes you can make to help build a resilient garden in a changing climate while improving the water quality in the local watershed.
Section A: Two Thursdays 3/6 and 3/13
10 am – 2:30 pm |$199 (Lunch included)
(Inclement weather date: Thursday 3/20)
Section B: Friday 3/21 and Saturday 3/22
10 am – 2:30 pm | $199 (Lunch included)
(Inclement weather date: Friday 3/28)
CEU NEW
NATIVE PLANTS SERIES
Native plants of the Eastern Temperate Forest are beautiful, inspiring, and critically important for healthy landscapes. From the subdued colors and fragrances of spring wildflowers to the exuberance of summer perennials and the captivating hues of fall foliage, discover a wealth of plants to satisfy your gardening needs throughout the seasons. 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 2025
One hour garden tours follow weekly lectures. Tours include walking over rolling terrain and mulched paths. Dress for the weather. Classes are rain or shine.
Native Plants of Spring
With Mt. Cuba Staff
Six Wednesdays:
4/2 through 5/7
10 am – 12 pm | $249
Optional exam: Wednesday 5/14, 10 am – 12 pm
Native Plants of Summer
With Mt. Cuba Staff
Six Wednesdays: 5/28 through 7/2 10 am – 12 pm | $249
Optional exam: Wednesday 7/9, 10 am – 12 pm
Native Plants of Fall
With Mt. Cuba Staff
Six Wednesdays: 9/3 through 10/8 10 am – 12 pm | $249
Optional exam: Wednesday 10/15, 10 am – 12 pm
HYBRID NATIVE PLANTS SERIES 2025
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. Tours include walking over rolling terrain and mulched paths. Dress for the weather. Classes are rain or shine.
Native Plants of Spring
With Mt. Cuba Staff
Six prerecorded online lectures available
Monday 3/31
Three garden tours
Saturdays: 4/12, 4/26, & 5/10
10 am – 12 pm | $249
Optional exam: Saturday 5/17, 10 am – 12 pm
Native Plants of Summer
With Mt. Cuba Staff
Six prerecorded online lectures available Monday 5/26
Three garden tours
Saturdays: 6/7, 6/21, & 6/28 10 am – 12 pm | $249
*Tours held on 6/28 to avoid July 4th holiday weekend
Optional exam: Saturday 7/12, 10 am – 12 pm
Native Plants of Fall
With Mt. Cuba Staff
Six prerecorded online lectures available
Monday 9/1
Three garden tours
Saturdays: 9/13, 9/27, & 10/11
10 am – 12 pm | $249
Optional exam: Saturday 10/18, 10 am – 12 pm
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 similarlooking native species. See invasive-plant management techniques and restoration strategies in practice in Mt. Cuba’s natural lands. Outdoor learning may include walking over rolling terrain and mulched paths. These classes are rain or shine.
Section A: Three Thursdays: 5/1 through 5/15 10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)
Section B: Wednesday 5/21 through Friday 5/23, 10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)
Plant Propagation
With James Rockwell and Claire Zuidervliet
Grow your garden and save money with practical 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 vegetative plant reproduction, learn when and how to take cuttings, and practice proper techniques for preparing and rooting them. Take samples home from this hands-on workshop. Please bring hand pruners.
Section A: Two Fridays: 5/9 and 5/16 10 am – 2:30 pm | $249 (Lunch included)
Section B: Two Saturdays: 5/10 and 5/17 10 am – 2:30 pm | $249 (Lunch included)
CEU
CEU
online classes
ONLINE CLASSES
Take part in our flexible online learning offerings. Join live to participate in our online learning community or watch after as your schedule allows. All registrants will receive a recording of the class with access to view the class for two weeks after the live session.
Cultivating a Native Lawn
With Todd Bittner
Traditional turfgrass lawns provide little benefit to native biodiversity, are significant sources of air and water pollution, and require huge investments of time to maintain. In a world grappling with the climate crisis, every action counts, and adopting a new lawn paradigm that champions native biodiversity in your own backyard is a powerful way to take control of your environmental impact. Todd Bittner, plant ecologist, will discuss a visionary lawn paradigm shift — one where lush, low-growing native grasses and forbs take center stage. Explore the journey behind Cornell Botanic Gardens’ native lawn, from its inception to the multitude of benefits it brings, and the invaluable lessons it has taught us.
Thursday 11/7, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
How Animals Overwinter
With Leah Brooks
Join Leah Brooks as she highlights the strategies and adaptations that native animals use to survive the winter. Unlock the secrets of frogs that freeze, mammals that hunker in hollows, butterflies that bunk under bark, and more!
Wednesday, 1/22, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
Unraveling Botanical Names
With Élan Alford, PhD
Scientific names offer precision and accuracy when identifying plants, but they can also intimidate even the most seasoned gardener. Mt. Cuba’s conservation scientist, Élan Alford, PhD, breaks down the various components in a Latin binomial, including why plants are named in this way and what a Latin name can teach us about a plant. This introductory course leaves you well prepared for any magazine article, nursery catalog, or class with a strong Latin component.
Wednesday 1/29, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
ON DEMAND LIBRARY
Gain gardening expertise whenever and wherever with Classes on Demand! Featuring several of Mt. Cuba’s most popular courses: Amsonia for Every Garden | Organic Lawn Care | Fabulous Phlox …and more!
Once purchased, students can watch the pre-recorded videos more than once or stop at any point and restart 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
ONLINE CLASSES
The Botany of Design
With Bill Cullina
Using his book Understanding Perennials as a starting point, Bill Cullina tackles the thorny subject of garden design in an innovative way. In this fun and informative talk, he explores ways to create more satisfying designs without breaking the budget. He looks at life beyond the color wheel, and the importance of healthy soil and reveals some of his best horticultural secrets while weaving together aesthetics, psychology, botany, and ecology. Both beginning gardeners and seasoned pros will be able to learn from and enjoy this talk.
Wednesday 2/5, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
The Future is Nuts!
With Michael Judd
Is the future nuts? According to edible landscape and permaculture designer Michael Judd, it is, but in a good way! In this fun and informative presentation, the question of what nuts grow well in the midAtlantic region and beyond is cracked, while exploring how nuts help stabilize ecosystems and provide much-needed wildlife habitat.
Saturday 2/22, 11 am – 12:30 pm | $25
Vernonia for Every Garden
With Sam Hoadley
The genus Vernonia, commonly known as ironweed, is an often-overlooked aster relative that has tremendous horticultural potential. Vernonia ranges from compact and tidy plants to towering behemoths topping out at over 13 feet in height. Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba’s manager of horticultural research, will share how Vernonia is evaluated to determine horticultural value and performance, disease resistance, and pollinator preference.
Wednesday 3/5, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
The Cultivar Conundrum
With Joseph Tychonievich
Dig deeper into the business of cultivars. The concept of a native plant seems simple, until you start hearing about cultivars, nativars, selections, ecotypes, and hybrids. In this class we’ll dig into what all those terms mean, where named plant selections come from, and how they impact the ecosystem that is your garden.
Saturday 3/22, 11 am – 12:30 pm | $25
Insects of Early Spring
With Sam Nestory
Spring is an essential time for insects. After the harshness of winter, insects and other wildlife need plentiful food and resources to help them prepare for the new season ahead. Learn about some of the earliest-emerging insects and how you can plan, prep, and primp your garden to make it a haven for these harbingers of spring.
Wednesday 3/26, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
Colored Pencil Techniques: Great Blue Heron
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 great blue heron. The primary emphasis will be on refining colored pencil techniques and honing the ability to perceive the myriad of colors hidden within the feathers of a common bird.
A sketchbook or drawing grade paper and 24 or more pack of Prismacolor colored pencils is recommended.
Thursday 5/29, 5 – 7 pm | $29
FEATURED ONLINE MT. CUBA LECTURE SERIES
Our online lecture series showcases the voices of ecologically minded experts who work to inspire ideas of how to prompt change in the space we steward in a changing climate. All registrants will receive a recording. $25 per lecture or $68 for the series
Sustainable Gardens in a Changing Climate
With Angelica Patterson, PhD
With a focus on the intersection of climate change and gardening, Angelica Patterson, PhD will explore how shifting climate patterns affect plant growth and what steps can be taken to manage gardens and cultivated land sustainably. Angelica will share practical strategies and actionable insights to cultivate resilient, thriving gardens in the face of environmental change.
Saturday 1/11, 11 am – 12:30 pm | $25
Angelica Patterson, PhD is a plant ecophysiologist who is interested in understanding how natural communities shift and respond to climate change. Her interest in understanding the mechanisms behind climate-induced tree migration and plant community shifts inspired her to examine tree physiological responses to temperature as part of her research.
Mt. Cuba’s Resilient Tree Canopy Plan
With Nicole DeLizzio and George Coombs
Join Mt. Cuba staff as we discuss our strategies for preparing our garden’s tree canopy for a changing climate. We will share the thought process and models used to shape our current strategy, our ongoing data collection and tree monitoring tactics, and how we intend to use the information gathered to implement practices that will help nurture a resilient future tree canopy.
Wednesday 2/19, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
George Coombs, director of horticulture at Mt. Cuba, leads a team that plays 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. 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.
Homegrown Conservation
With Danae Wolfe
Climate change and biodiversity loss are creating existential threats to people and nature, but we can help. In this presentation, you’ll learn about how traditional landscape management is contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss and discover small steps we can all take in our backyards and communities to steward our landscapes for nature and wildlife.
Wednesday 3/19, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
Danae Wolfe is an award-winning conservation photographer, writer, educator, and TEDx speaker focused on fostering appreciation and stewardship of backyard bugs and wildlife. Danae was the 2022 recipient of the Garden Communicators International Emergent Communicator award, and her work has been featured in various outlets including CNN, The American Gardener magazine, and Nature Conservancy Magazine. Through her community conservation initiative, Chasing Bugs, she has reached global audiences about the importance of gardening for biodiversity and has inspired gardeners to appreciate the beauty of our natural world and embrace their role in its protection.
CEU
CEU
CEU
gardening classes
Fall Fresh Container
With Susan Dixon
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. Susan Dixon discusses design principles, plant and container selection, and proper planting and maintenance tips, after which she leads you through the steps of making your own captivating autumn-themed container garden. Bring gardening gloves.
Friday 9/6, 10 am – 12 pm | $89 (Plants and containers included)
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
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.
Saturday 9/14, 1 – 3 pm | $29
Vernonia for Every Garden
With Sam Hoadley
The genus Vernonia, commonly known as ironweed, is an often-overlooked aster relative that has tremendous horticultural potential. Vernonia ranges from compact and tidy plants to towering behemoths topping out at over 13 feet in height. Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba’s manager or horticultural research, will be your guide through the trials, sharing how Vernonia is evaluated to determine horticultural value and performance, disease resistance, and pollinator preference.
Wednesday 9/18, 1 – 3 pm | $29
Backyard Composting
With Rick Carr
Learn how to turn your household waste into nutrient-rich compost with the help of homescale composting. Join Rick Carr, senior farm director of Rodale Institute, as he shares the key elements of composting effectively in your backyard. Learn how to quickly identify and troubleshoot problems, and how to harvest and use the finished compost in your garden to improve plant growth. This is a great opportunity to discover how you can make a positive impact on the environment and create a valuable resource for your garden. Students will observe a demonstration of a home garden composting setup outside. This class is rain or shine. Dress for the weather.
Sunday 9/22, 1 – 4 pm | $39
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
CEU NEW
CEU NEW
CEU
CEU
Designing with Native Mosses
With Alice Waegel, PhD and Beth Castelletti
Join Alice as she presents examples from regional gardens to show how to mingle native perennials with mosses. The instructors will discuss how to select the best moss species for beauty, color, texture, and ease of maintenance. Visit Mt. Cuba’s moss bank, a luxurious carpet of soft green moss and unique plant community with the instructors. Enjoy a moss companion plant to take home.
Wednesday 10/2, 1 – 3 pm | $44
Weeds 101
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.
Fall Section: Friday 10/4 10 am – 12 pm | $29
With Liz Allen
Spring Section: Friday 4/11 10 am – 12 pm | $29
With Lucy Dinsmore
Enroll in both sections for | $54
The Glory of Goldenrods
With Sam Nestory and Sam Hoadley
With their stunning yellow flowers, goldenrods are one of the hallmark plants of autumn. But they do more than delight the eye. From bees and wasps to caterpillars and butterflies, goldenrods support hundreds of insects. This unique class opportunity combines the insect expertise of Sam Nestory and plant expertise from the manager of horticultural research at Mt. Cuba, Sam Hoadley, for a winning combination as they present how goldenrods can add beauty and biodiversity to any landscape. A tour of the Solidago trials is included.
Wednesday 10/9, 1 – 3 pm | $29
Seed Collecting
With Claire Zuidervliet
Harvesting seeds is a cost-efficient and exciting way to increase the number of plants in your garden. Learn the best techniques for collecting and storing seeds produced by our native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Following a brief lecture, participants will head out to the gardens for hands-on seed collecting. Take home a diverse array of samples from Mt. Cuba’s gardens.
Learn about our many amazing native oak species and how to identify them in the garden. Oak 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, especially in the fall when there is a surplus of acorns around. The class will begin in a lecture room and move outdoors, so please dress accordingly for the weather.
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
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.
Saturday, 10/19, 1 – 3 pm | $29
Native Plants for All Seasons
With Duncan Himmelman, PhD
From spectacular seed heads to excellent exfoliating bark characteristics, Duncan Himmelman shares plants that continue the garden highlights through the late fall and into the winter. Be inspired to go beyond the blooms and add plants to your garden that provide interest throughout the year. Class will include a walk through the gardens making note of the notable plants with late fall and winter interest. Dress for the weather and hiking on steep paths and uneven terrain.
Friday 10/25, 1 – 3 pm | $29
FALL GARDENING
SATURDAY
Fall is an enriching time to take on new projects or make observations of how wildlife is utilizing the plants in your garden. Enjoy the whole day and take away a wealth of tips for gardening this fall. Register for the entire day or for individual sessions.
Saturday 10/26, 10 am – 4 pm | $19 per session or $69 for all four
Backyard Nursery: Growing Native Trees
With Andrew Conboy 10 – 11 am
Growing native trees from seeds or seedlings can be fun and fulfilling! Andrew Conboy, ISAcertified arborist, and founder of Colonial Canopy Trees, will discuss how to grow, care for, and find places to plant native trees at a small scale in your community.
Helping Wildlife Through the Winter
With Leah Brooks 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
From fruiting shrubs to seed-bearing wildflowers, native plants provide essential shelter and forage that sustain our wildlife through the winter. Explore how to easily create an overwintering habitat and learn about the animals that utilize it.
Bulbs of Eastern North America
With Duncan Himmelman, PhD 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Move beyond daffodils and tulips with native North American bulbs that can make great additions to your garden. Learn how to plant and care for Canada lilies, eastern camas, violet wood sorrel, and associated bulb-like species such as Jack-in-the-pulpit, bloodroot, and dwarf crested iris. Leave with a list of bulbs suitable for many garden settings.
Making Your Backyard Habitat Bird-Friendly
With Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research 3 – 4 pm
Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research provides professional, compassionate rehabilitation to native injured and orphaned native wild birds and contaminated wildlife. Most birds brought to the rescue center are due to human causes. Learn some simple steps from Marie R. Maiura, public education and outreach coordinator from Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, that you can take to make your backyard habitat bird-friendly, and what you can do to support native wild birds in your community.
Building Drystack Walls
With
Charlie Reidinger
Are you interested in building stone walls in your garden? This one-day workshop introduces you to basic mortar-free masonry techniques. Start with a classroom introduction to the fundamental steps involved in stacked-stone wall construction, then experience hands-on instruction in setting stones on site. Bring work gloves, safety glasses, a water bottle, and lunch.
Section A: Saturday 11/2
10 am – 2:30 pm | $59
(Inclement weather date: Saturday, 11/9)
Section B: Saturday 3/1
10 am – 2:30 pm | $59
(Inclement weather date: Saturday, 3/8)
Late Season Perennials for Wildlife
With Leah Brooks
Take an in-depth look at how plants that add fall and winter interest to the home garden also serve as lifelines for local wildlife. Explore the intricate connections between native plants and the animals that have evolved alongside them. A garden walk to view the plants follows the lecture.
Saturday 11/23, 10 am – 12 pm | $29
CEU
LANDSCAPE DESIGN WORKSHOPS
Learn new gardening skills or boost your career with our design classes. Select the one that best suits your experience level and garden design goals.
Garden Designing for Homeowners
With Olivia Kirkpatrick
Whether you’re planning a complete garden overhaul or a new planting area, Olivia Kirkpatrick, a seasoned landscape designer, will help you navigate critical design principles that align with ecological gardening goals. By taking cues from local plant communities and environments, as well as considering the impact of garden inputs and maintenance, these principles aim to minimize common pitfalls associated with garden upkeep. This course is focused primarily on planting design, including assessing site conditions, bed layout, and plant selection. A list of required materials is provided upon registration. All are welcome. Class is designed for the seasoned home gardener.
Saturday 1/25, 10 am – 1 pm | $59
(Inclement weather date: Saturday 2/1)
Residential Landscape Design Workshop
With Lee Armillei, APLD
Learn new gardening skills with professional landscape designer Lee Armillei. Analyze a site, create a basic plan, apply design principles to layout paths, planting beds, and other features in your garden. You’ll explore various design options, evaluate landscape materials, and develop a practical planning document for your specific landscape project. Bring lunch. A list of required materials is provided upon registration. All are welcome. Class is designed for the practicing professional.
Two Fridays: 2/14 & 2/21, 10 am – 3:30 pm | $165 (Inclement weather date: Friday 2/28)
The Beginner’s Native Perennial Garden
With Nancy Bell
Need help creating a stunning garden with a variety of textures and colors that thrive throughout the year? Nancy will break down the planning process, explain how to choose the best plants for different areas, and define the considerations when it comes to maintaining a healthy garden. By the end, you’ll have a layout that suits your site and benefits the ecosystem. Bring a scale drawing of your yard and a snack. All are welcome. Class is designed for the beginner gardener.
Friday 3/21, 10 am – 1 pm | $39
CEU NEW CEU
Workshop: Pruning for Homeowners
With Lucy Dinsmore
Keep your trees and shrubs healthy, attractive, and long-lived using expert pruning techniques. In this hands-on workshop, learn basic pruning principles including how to make the correct cuts, the best times of year to prune various plants, and how to select and use the right tools. Gain the confidence to prune your plants in a more naturalistic, appealing, and professional way. Bring work gloves and hand pruners.
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.
Thursday 2/13, 1 – 3 pm | $29
CEU
Workshop: Tool-Sharpening Techniques
With Charlie Reidinger
Sharp, well-maintained gardening tools help you get more work done in less time and with less effort. Charlie Reidinger, a Mt. Cuba Grounds Maintenance Technician, discusses and demonstrates professional-grade techniques for cleaning and safely sharpening pruning shears, loppers, shovels, spades, and trowels. Get a jump-start on spring now! Bring what you need sharpened and a pair of work gloves.
Winter landscapes offer opportunities to experience structural garden elements and many botanical forms of seasonal interest. Expand your appreciation for aesthetic qualities beyond blooms by exploring the beauty and wonder of seed heads, exfoliating bark, evergreen foliage, and stems with diverse textures, color, and character. This class will include a unique opportunity to walk through Mt. Cuba’s gardens in the ‘off-season’ to experience the sights and sounds of our winter landscape.
Saturday 2/15, 1 – 3 pm | $29
(Inclement weather date: Saturday 2/22)
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 can translate 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 Bonsai tree of your own. Please bring sharp pruners/scissors and gardening gloves.
Whether you’re designing a whole garden from scratch or looking to create new planting areas, it can be daunting to know where to start. In this crash course to naturalistic planting design, you will learn the importance of working with your site conditions, naturalistic design techniques, sustainable maintenance practices, and what plants to use — everything you need to design your own native garden with confidence. A tour of the gardens with Leah to follow the lecture.
Saturday 4/12, 10 am – 1 pm | $39
GARDENING CLASSES
SPRING GARDENING SATURDAY
Discover how to garden in harmony with nature and select the best native plants for your yard. Spring is a season of beauty and conservation. Join us for the day and attend all four classes or register for individual sessions.
Saturday 4/5, 10 am – 4 pm | $19 per session or $69 for all four
Supporting
Backyard Birds
with Native Plants
With Leah Brooks 10 – 11 am
Transform your landscape into an oasis for your local birds! Join Leah Brooks as she explores how native plants that add interest and beauty to the home garden also serve as lifelines for our feathered friends.
Beneficial Bugs in Your Garden
With Sam Nestory 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Did you know that less than 1% of insect species are considered pests? That leaves a lot of room for insects that we can learn to love, like the beneficial bugs in your garden! These insects can control pests, reduce (or eliminate) the need for pesticides, and make your garden healthier and more sustainable. Join us as we learn about the benefits of key insect groups, how to identify them, and how you can attract them to your yard.
Decaying Wood is Good
With Nicole DeLizzio 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Trees provide many benefits from seed to stump, over the course of their lives and even in their deaths. Leaving stumps or snags, when possible, can provide habitats for many living organisms, recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, and assist in erosion control in addition to providing many other benefits. Learn about the management techniques the arboriculture team at Mt. Cuba use to convert declining trees into habitat for wildlife in a garden setting and discover what wildlife we have found occupying these spaces.
Lawn-less Yards
With Lucy Dinsmore 3 – 4 pm
Reducing the American lawn is good for everyone. We can add more native plants, reduce flooding in our watersheds, attract pollinators, and bring balance to our ecosystems. Dive into some example projects where lawns have been replaced by native plant solutions. With a focus on a variety of site conditions such as sunny slopes, low wet spots, and wooded areas, view before/during/ after images and learn the plant lists that made them successful.
GARDENING CARE SERIES
With Olivia Kirkpatrick
Learn and discuss approaches to ecological gardening maintenance through the growing season. Take one class or enroll in both to help organize your gardening tasks for $54
Early Season Garden Care
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 4/27, 1 – 3 pm | $29
Late Season Garden Care
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.
Sunday 8/24, 1 – 3 pm | $29
ECOLOGICAL GARDENING SERIES
With Elyse Jurgen
Polish your ecological gardening practice in this guided series. Join Elyse Jurgen as she breaks down the steps to help get your ideas onto paper and establish sustainable practices that benefit you and the land you steward. Take just one, or sign up for all three classes for $90.
Designing Layered Landscapes
Are you seeking a design process to build a resilient native garden that wildlife loves and weeds struggle to take root? Inspiration from nature is our best teacher when we create ecosystems in human spaces. We will practice drawing to scale the anatomy of a designed ecosystem, from essential native groundcovers or “green mulch” to structural canopy trees.
Saturday 4/26, 1 – 4 pm | $39
Creating Native Plant Communities
Discover how to craft a resilient native plant palette in alignment with the ecological clues of your land. Explore a practical template to guide the process of crafting a community of native plants that will bring ease to the wonkiness of wildlife habitat designing. Leave feeling empowered to take on your next lawn to lushy habitat project.
Saturday 5/17, 1 – 3 pm | $29
Navigating NonChemical Restoration
Explore native plant allies that can help outcompete invasive species and bolster biodiversity. This interactive class will equip you with the confidence to confidently tackle tenacious introduced species without chemical sprays. One lucky participant will be gifted a “Native Plant Ally” kit, equipped with native landscape plants to help launch your next restoration project!
Saturday 6/21, 1 – 3 pm | $29
classes conservation
Fall Bird Migration
With Joe Sebastiani
Large-scale, long distance bird migration has fascinated people for centuries. Joe Sebastiani, director of land stewardship at Delaware Nature Society and expert birder, presents research findings on the origins of and the triggers for migration, how birds navigate hazards along the way, and the importance of “migration trap.” Learn what you can do to support birds as they migrate south this fall. Be prepared for a hike through hilly, uneven, and occasionally steep terrain. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and a water bottle.
Wednesday 9/18, 8:30 – 11:00 am | $35
(Inclement weather date: Wednesday 9/25)
Field Trip: Serpentine Barrens in the Fall
With Chris Hoess
Explore the unique ecosystem of the Unionville Serpentine Barrens and see how this plant community is responding to recent ecological restoration efforts. Chriss Hoess, Chair of the Friends of the State Line Serpentine Barrens, discusses the natural history of the site as you search for the rare and unusual plants that inhabit the barrens. Learn how you can help preserve this ecological and cultural treasure. Please bring your lunch and be prepared for hiking through undeveloped areas. You must provide your own transportation.
Saturday 9/21, 10 am – 2:30 pm | $74
(Inclement weather date: Saturday 10/5)
The Biodiversity of Beetles
With Sam Nestory
Beetles are the most diverse group of living things on the planet, making up nearly one quarter of all described species! Such diversity means that beetles provide a wide range of services for humans and our ecosystems, from nature’s clean-up crew to pollination to pest control and everything in between. Join us as we learn about the beauty, benefits, and biodiversity of our spectacular native beetles.
Saturday 10/5, 10 am – 12 pm | $29
Fungal Ecology
With Sam Bucciarelli
Learn about the important identifying features of our local fungi. Discover some of the crucial roles they play in our ecosystems. Discuss what you can do to preserve fungal diversity in your area through community science and land stewardship. The lecture and discussion will be followed by a guided exploration of Mt. Cuba’s natural areas. Scout and learn about the fungal diversity in the area. Be prepared for a lengthy hike through hilly (sometimes steep) and uneven terrain. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle.
Wednesday 10/16, 1 – 4 pm | $39
Hike Mt. Cuba and
Ashland’s Hawk Watch Hill
With Ellen Lake, PhD and Joe Sebastiani
Reconnect with nature in this exceptional behind-the-scenes trek through the natural areas with Ellen Lake, Mt. Cuba’s director of conservation and research, and Joe Sebastiani, director of land stewardship at Delaware Nature Society and expert birder. Along the way, scout for birds, explore oldfield meadows and woodland habitats, and learn about several natural lands projects and research experiments. Dress for the weather, bring binoculars, a water bottle, and lunch. Be prepared for a four-mile hike through hilly terrain.
Thursday 10/17, 9 am – 1:30 pm | $35
(Inclement weather date: Thursday, 10/24)
Owl Howl
With Joe Sebastiani and Ian Stewart, PhD
Many people have heard an owl, but few have ever seen one. Mt. Cuba’s varied landscapes and topography provide the ideal habitats for three of Delaware’s native owl species – the barred, great horned, and Eastern screech – and winter is the best time to spot them roosting in our trees. Owls are nocturnal so join us as we search for them just after dusk. Following a brief introductory lecture, we’ll head into the garden and listen for their unique calls. Dress for the weather.
The late season is the best time to take in the backlit beauty of the meadow at Mt. Cuba. Learn about the plant species and wildlife that thrive in the ecosystem services of a meadow. Tour the meadow in all its glory and learn the key plant species and their wildlife associations.
Section A: Wednesday 11/13, 1 – 3 pm | $29
Section B: Saturday 11/23, 1 – 3 pm | $29
Bring Bluebirds and Others to Your Garden
With Ian Stewart, PhD
Bluebirds are a delightful native thrush that would be a welcome addition to anyone’s garden. Learn all about the biology of bluebirds and the best ways to install nest boxes so you can attract these colorful birds to your yard. Creating a landscape with native plants will provide food for the young bluebirds and may even persuade them to stay year-round. Learn which shrubs and trees you can plant to provide nest sites for several other common birds. Your garden will become a home for a multitude of beautiful birds!
Section A: Saturday 3/1, 10 am – 12 pm | $29
(Inclement weather date: Saturday 3/8)
Section B: Friday 3/14, 10 am – 12 pm | $29
(Inclement weather date: Friday 3/21)
Trillium Treasure Land:
Field Trip to Shenks Ferry
With Chris Hoess
Experience the beauty of thousands of trilliums surrounded by Virginia bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches, columbines, and other spring ephemerals at Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve. Learn the ecology and geology of the area and how this unique wildflower treasure came to be. Bring your lunch and be prepared to hike uneven terrain. You must provide your own transportation.
A copy of Trilliums of Mt. Cuba Center is included in the registration fee.
Calling all bird lovers! When a bird sings, it tells 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 door. Dress for the weather, bring your binoculars (some will be provided), and wear practical shoes for walking over uneven paths. Pace will be slow and accommodate most mobility levels.
Saturday 4/12, 8 – 11 am | $39
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.
A copy of Trilliums of Mt. Cuba Center is included in the registration fee.
Section A: Thursday 4/17, 10 am – 12 pm | $29
Section B: Saturday 4/26, 10 am – 12 pm | $29
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.
Wednesday 4/23, 1 – 3 pm | $29
(Inclement weather date: Wednesday 4/30)
Remarkable Rhododendrons and Their Magnificent Friends
With Bill Cullina
Almost every landscape in the Eastern US contains at least a few rhododendrons, laurels, or azaleas. Acidic, forested soils and moderate, moist climate make much of the Eastern US perfect for many, many members of the heath family (Ericaceae), and we have one of the most diverse assemblages of species anywhere in North America. In this in-depth talk, Bill Cullina will showcase the eastern species from Arctostaphylos to Zenobia, detailing their ecology, form, cultivation, and landscape uses.
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 land stewardship at Delaware Nature Society. 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.
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, Robbie Jester. Cash bar available. (Ages 21 and over)
Enjoy a stroll through the trial gardens of Mt. Cuba with a signature cocktail in hand and manager of horticultural research, Sam Hoadley, by your side. Sam will explain the assessment process that the plants undergo during the trials to achieve top performer status. 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 9/20, 5 – 7 pm | $45
(Inclement weather date: Friday 9/27)
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)
A Taste of First State Ciders
With Jeffery “Doc” Cheskin
Join award-winning cidermaker “Doc” Cheskin in a discussion of the rich history of apples, cider, and hard cider in this region and the art and science of cider making. Native northern American apples were joined by those brought over from Europe early in the development of the original 13 colonies. Delaware produced one of the first apple drinks of Colonial American – cider, which, when fermented, becomes hard cider. Sample a variety of ciders including one made exclusively for Mt. Cuba using local ingredients. (Ages 21 and over)
Saturday 11/16, 3 – 5 pm | $45
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 4/26, 3 – 5 pm | $45
classes art
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 upon registration.
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: 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. Please bring your lunch.
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.
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 and pack a lunch.
Sunday 10/6, 1 – 3 pm | $29
(Inclement weather date: Sunday 10/13, 1 – 3 pm)
NEW Working with Natural Dyes
With Diane Keesee
Decorate the harvest table this season with a runner, placemats, or napkins made using natural dyes extracted from goldenrods, walnuts, and indigo. Diane Keesee discusses the historic uses of dyes and how to identify and responsibly harvest local dye-producing plants. Preparation and dyeing techniques using natural mordants and modifiers are presented. Try your hand at these heritage skills and share them with your friends and family this year.
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.
Saturday 10/19, 10 am – 12 pm | $49
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 upon registration.
Wednesday 10/23 through Friday 10/25 10 am – 1 pm | $135
Developing an Autumn Sketchbook
With Margaret Saylor
Observation of the natural world is the first step in creating a successful sketchbook. Capture the unique shapes and textures of the autumn landscape. Capture the unique shapes and textures while gathering ideas from the field gaining inspiration to add elements of habitat to your sketch. This workshop brings you through Mt. Cuba’s grounds in search of habitats, and other materials to draw in a sketchbook. Please bring your lunch. A detailed list of required materials is available upon registration
Section A: Friday 11/8, 10 am – 3 pm | $75
Section B: Friday 11/15, 10 am – 3 pm | $75
Wreath-Making Workshop
With Susan Dixon
Enhance your home’s holiday spirit with a festive, long lasting evergreen wreath. Combine an assortment of fresh evergreen cedar, fragrant pine, and sturdy magnolia boughs, adorn it with foraged cones and berries, and add a bow for eye-catching seasonal flair. Bring hand pruners and a large box to transport your finished wreath home.
Section A: Friday, 12/6, 10 am – 12 pm | $79
(Materials included)
Section B: Saturday, 12/7, 1 pm – 3 pm | $79
(Materials included)
Elegant Winter Container Workshop
With Susan Dixon
Give entryways an elegant look from now until the new year with a classic outdoor urn arrangement. This hands-on class includes an introduction to design principles and all the elements needed to create a long-lasting display of native winterberry, magnolia, and evergreen branches. Bring hand pruners and a large box to transport finished container home.
Section A: Friday 12/6, 1 pm – 3 pm | $79
(Materials included)
Section B: Saturday 12/7, 10 am – 12 pm | $79
(Materials included)
Pyrography: Holiday Ornament Workshop
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! Leave this workshop with unique ornaments that will make the perfect holiday gift or addition to your tree. Woodburning supplies, gift wrapping materials, and festive holiday snacks are provided!
Friday 12/13, 9 am – 12 pm | $79
(Materials included)
Pyrography: Holiday Gift Coaster Set
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! Leave this workshop with a set of four wood-burned coasters that will make the perfect holiday gift. Woodburning supplies, gift wrapping materials, and festive holiday snacks are provided!
Saturday 12/14, 1 – 4 pm | $79
(Materials included)
Holiday Arrangement
With Serah Pesce
Plants collected for their winter interest provide an abundant palette for creating uniquely beautiful holiday arrangements. All supplies are provided but please bring hand pruners and a medium to large box to transport your finished arrangement home.
Saturday 12/14, 10 am – 12 pm | $79
(Materials included)
Creating Garden Structures
With Alexandra Correia
Using foraged materials, learn how to build a structure to give annuals, perennials, or flowering vines support to grow.
Alexandra Correia, Longwood Gardens senior horticulturist, will share inspiring ideas on materials and designs for rustic garden structures and demonstrate how to construct a garden pyramid using invasive materials and minimal construction supplies. Create your own rustic support to add visual interest to the garden while keeping garden plants tidy. All supplies provided.
Saturday 3/1, 10 am – 12 pm | $54
(Materials included)
(Inclement weather date: Saturday, 3/8)
ART CLASSES
Craft a Colorful Tote
With Sara Setzer
Create a one-of-a-kind, no-knit, durable tote bag, ideal for carrying a bottle wine and more! Using merino wool and other fun fiber accents, Sara Setzer walks you through the ancient craft of wet felting, from selecting and arranging your wood fibers to the finished product. Expand your knowledge of fiber arts and go home with a truly unique hand-crafted tote. Please bring your lunch.
Saturday 3/29, 10 am – 3 pm | $59
(Materials included)
(Inclement weather date: Saturday 4/5)
Felted Flower Art
With Sara Setzer
Capture the essence of nature while learning the beginning steps of 3-dimensional needle felting. Local textile artist Sara Setzer shows you how to create beautiful floral designs using wool and other natural fibers in this relaxed session of crafting. Leave with your own hoop-framed piece of original art, ready to hang and admire. No experience needed! Bring your lunch.
Sunday 3/30, 10 am – 2:30 pm | $49
(Materials included)
(Inclement weather date: Sunday 4/6)
Pyrography: Spring Wildflowers
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! Leave this workshop with a wildflower-themed take project. Woodburning supplies are provided.
Section A Friday 4/11, 10 am – 12 pm | $49
(Materials included)
Section B: Saturday 4/12, 1 – 3 pm | $49
(Materials included)
SPRING BOTANICAL ART SERIES
With Margaret Saylor
Mt. Cuba Center’s unique collections of native plants are a natural fit for the art of botanical drawing. Using specimens from Mt. Cuba’s gardens, learn how to draw flowers, foliage, and stems realistically in this entry-level program. Start with the elements of line, shape, and form, and progress to developing your own personal drawing style. Begin with Learning to Draw Spring Wildflowers or dive into the upper-level courses if you already have the basics.
Individual Courses $155 | Series $419
A detailed list of required materials is available upon registration.
Learning to Draw Spring Wildflowers
Four Thursdays: 3/20 through 4/10, 10 am – 1 pm
Discover the fascinating details of spring wildflowers from Mt. Cuba’s gardens in this relaxed, beginnerlevel class. Develop basic drawing skills through observing and sketching a variety of flowers, leaves, and branches. Explore line, shape, and form, and follow up with instructor demonstrations. Plenty of exercises will build confidence in drawing native spring flowers. No previous art experience needed.
Wildflowers in Color
Four Thursdays: 5/8 through 5/29, 10 am – 1 pm Bring yourself to the next level with drawing native wildflowers from Mt. Cuba’s unique collections. Continue to 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-bystep exercises, instructor demonstrations, and one-on one feedback sessions provide a strong foundation in botanical drawing. Students may work in watercolor or colored pencil.
Refined Botanical Drawing
Four Thursdays: 6/5 through 6/26, 10 am – 1 pm
Continue to 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, applying the skills learned in all three sections of the Spring Botanical Art Series.
classes wellness
Yoga
With John McElderry
Increase range of motion, core body strength, and flexibility through the practice of yoga in a lovely garden 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.)
Ten Saturdays: 9/7 through 11/9 10 – 11 am $165
Sound Bath Meditation
With Liana Thompson
With early access to the serene setting of the Mt. Cuba gardens, find harmony with your surroundings by 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.
Two Sundays: 9/8 and 9/15, 9 – 10 am | $29 (Inclement weather date: Sunday 9/22)
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 an adaptive and enjoyable program that can easily be done by anyone, regardless of age or physical ability. Comfortable clothing is recommended.
Eight Thursdays: 9/12 through 11/7
7:30 – 8:30 am | $132
*No class on Thursday 9/19
Mindfulness in Nature
With Donna Shand
Cultivate a more profound awareness of the natural world by immersing yourself in Mt. Cuba Center’s tranquil gardens and landscapes. Learn how to use the sounds, sights, and fragrances of the natural world to enhance and deepen your meditation practice. This class is suitable for beginners and more experienced meditators who would like to learn how to take their meditation practice outside. The class will include lecture and outside activities, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable clothing and shoes (garden paths can be uneven), and please bring a water bottle.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Mt. Cuba’s forests and meadows this fall and winter as you experience the change of seasons – from autumn’s foliage to winter’s serenity. Become familiar with our native flora as you improve your health and explore the extensive walking trails in our natural lands.
Each walk will be different and will cover approximately 2.5 to 3 miles. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and be prepared for hilly (sometimes steep) and uneven terrain.
Section A: Three Thursdays: 10/3, 10/10, & 10/17, 9 – 10:30 am | $39
(Inclement weather date: Thursday 10/24)
Section B: Three Thursdays: 11/7, 11/14, & 11/21, 9 – 10:30 am | $39
(Inclement weather date: Thursday 12/5)
Section C: Three Thursdays: 2/13, 2/20, & 2/27, 9 – 10:30 am | $39
Learn the medicinal uses of common garden invaders, and how they can be part of a more responsible approach to harvesting medicinal plants in the wild. Rachelan Griffin discusses endangered and threatened native medicinal plants, responsible wildcrafting practices, and the cultivation of these important but rapidly disappearing herbal powerhouses. The lecture will be followed by a walk in the gardens. This class is rain or shine. Please dress for the weather.
Sunday 10/20, 1 – 3 pm | $29
(Inclement weather date: Sunday 10/27)
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. 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 ourselves. This class will include a lecture and outside activities, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Garden paths can be uneven.
Saturday 4/12, 1 – 3:30 | $35
PROGRAM CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
9/3 – 9/17
9/7 – 11/9
9/8 – 9/15
9/11 –
9/12 – 11/7
PROGRAM CALENDAR
DATE COURSE
DECEMBER
1/9 – 1/10
1/22
FEBRUARY
MARCH 3/1
3/14
3/21
3/21
3/29
APRIL
MAY
5/1 – 5/15 Managing Invasive Plants: Section A .........................................
