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.
Note: Classes and events are subject to change. Please check our website for the most up-to-date information on opening hours and capacity at mtcubacenter.org
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.
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.
ACCESSIBILITY
Mt. Cuba Center is committed to providing an inclusive environment where all guests can enjoy the beauty of our native plant gardens. The upper gardens feature fully paved, ADAaccessible paths, and we offer complimentary wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and walking sticks upon request. While some natural areas have uneven, mulched paths due to rolling terrain, we provide a level-terrain map to assist with planning. Sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones and fidget items, as well as assisted listening devices for tours, are available. Contact us at 302.239.4244 or visit mtcubacenter.org/accessibility for more information.
MEMBERSHIP
Grow with us! Membership is your pass to Mt. Cuba’s breathtaking native plant gardens, expert programs, and tranquil natural lands. Join today to 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. Join today at mtcubacenter.org/membership
JOIN TODAY!
All levels include:
• Unlimited general admission for one year
• Complimentary guest passes
• Free guided tours
• Invitation(s) to our annual members-only event
• Access to curated members-only programs with expert staff
• 10% discount on plants and merchandise
• And more!
Select levels offer additional benefits. Visit our website for full details.
Mt. Cuba Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. A portion of membership is tax deductible.
SIP AND STROLL: ROCK GARDEN AND SCREE
With Vic Piatt and Diane Keesee
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of our Rock Garden from senior garden advisor, Vic Piatt, while sampling signature cocktails prepared by mixologist Diane Keesee. Featured beverages will highlight ingredients foraged from common local and native plants. Check the members event page online for pricing and registration information. (Ages 21 and over)
Saturday 5/17, 3:30 – 5:30 pm
(Inclement weather date: Sunday 5/18)
GARDENS INSIDER TOUR
With Amelia Burnett
Hear about Mt. Cuba Center’s upcoming horticultural projects directly from our gardens manager as you enjoy an early summer tour of the gardens. Check the members event page online for pricing and registration information.
Saturday 6/7, 10 – 11:30 am
(Inclement weather date: Sunday 6/8)
MEMBER NIGHT
Join us for a members-only evening of live music, food, drinks, and activities in the gardens. Enjoy 15% off a wide selection of native plants in our members-only plant sale. Check the members event page online for pricing and registration information.
Create unforgettable experiences with Mt. Cuba Center’s Private Group Programs! Bring your group for a visit to Mt. Cuba’s formal and naturalistic gardens, a tour, talk, interactive workshop, 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
$18 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.
...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.
GROUP TOURS
Welcome Walks
One hour, $5 per person in addition to garden admission.
Gardening for Ecological Resilience Tour
Two hours, $7 per person in addition to garden admission.
Health & Well-Being Tour: The Benefits of Experiences in Nature
Two hours, $7 in addition to group garden admission.
Demystifying Toxic Plants Tour
An hour and a half, $7 in addition to group 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, for a max capacity of 26 adults.
Hayride & Hike
Two hours, $175 in addition to garden admission, for a max capacity of 26 adults.
DAILY
Welcome Walks
Guided walks are offered at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, on days 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.
WEEKLY
Gardening for Ecological Resilience 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, April – November 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
MONTHLY
Mt. Cuba Gardens History Tour
This tour covers the 90-year transformation of Mt. Cuba Center’s landscape from its beginnings as a private country estate to a public botanical garden. Learn about the many people, ideas, and ecologically inspired vision that have contributed to the design and evolution of the gardens over time. One hour, $7 in addition to admission, free for members.
The secret to beautiful gardens is buried in the soil. Join us on this special tour of Mt. Cuba’s gardens to learn the ways in which native plants rely on the work of an underground network for their vigor and beauty. During this interactive walk, explore examples of how our soil management supports an intact ecosystem and the plants that thrive within it. Discover how to revitalize your garden by supporting important bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms-creating happy, healthy, living soil! One hour, $7 in addition to admission, free for members.
Spend the day with the leaders in ecological land stewardship and horticulture who advance the mission of Mt. Cuba to inspire an appreciation for native plants and the ecosystems which they support. The day will include lunch and a blend of indoor and outdoor experiences. Credits for CEU’s are preapproved. Learn from Mt. Cuba’s experts in the featured disciplines:
Attend informational drop-in sessions with Mt. Cuba staff and learn about our new spring and summer class offerings. Enjoy a pre-season sneak peek with a guided tour of the gardens, bursting in early spring with emerging spring ephemerals. Take advantage of a 10% discount on registration for an upcoming class of your choice when you register on site during the event. This event is free, but RSVP is required at mtcubacenter.org/event/ education-open-house/
March 23, 2025, 12 – 4 pm
WILDFLOWER WEEKEND
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
Friday – Sunday 4/25, 4/26, 4/27 10 am – 6 pm (Rain or shine)
TWILIGHT ON THE TERRACE
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 .
Fridays: 5/16, 6/20, 7/18, 8/15, 8/29, 5 – 8 pm
(Inclement weather dates: Following Fridays)
SP RING ART-IN
Let creativity blossom while you draw, paint, or photograph outside in Mt. Cuba Center’s beautiful, everchanging gardens and natural areas. Try your hand at a new medium and participate in a series of drop-in workshops featuring different local artists. Advance registration is required for participating artists. Call Mt. Cuba at 302.239.4244 or visit mtcubacenter.org/artin to register and review guidelines.
Saturday 6/7, 10 am – 6 pm
(Inclement weather date: Sunday, 6/8)
C HRISTINA CULTURAL ARTS CENTER IN THE GARDENS
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.
Friday 7/11, 6 – 7:30 pm
(Inclement weather date: Saturday 7/12)
differences. 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. Garden admission included. (Ages 21 and over)
Saturday 4/26, 3 – 5 pm | $55
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. Garden admission included.
Two Sundays: 5/11 and 5/25, 9 – 10 am | $39 (Inclement weather date: Sunday 6/1)
G IN & 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. Garden admission included. (Ages 21 and over)
Saturday 6/14, 3:30 – 5:30 pm | $55
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. Garden admission included. (Ages 21 and over)
Saturday 7/19, 3:30 – 5:30 pm | $55
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. Garden admission included. (Ages 21 and over)
Saturday 8/23, 3:30 – 5:30 pm | $55
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, Robbie Jester. Cash bar available. Garden admission included. (Ages 21 and over)
Enrich your visit to the gardens with a class! Mt. Cuba offers a diverse range of learning opportunities for all experience levels in a unique blend of indoor and outdoor environments. Our in-person and online classes are designed to present students with fresh ideas, relevant scientific content, and inspiring examples of what it means to garden ecologically. We offer courses in gardening, conservation and art, and the calendar pages at the back of the guide will help you plan your educational experience. Visit mtcubacenter.org/programs/teachers to read the bios of the instructors that make Mt. Cuba a great place to learn.
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.
P AYMENT & 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.
C LASS CANCELLATIONS & GARDEN CLOSURES
O ccasionally, 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
S TUDENT INFORMATION
•M any 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.
• C ertain classes may be filmed or photographed for educational or promotional purposes.
• Please call 302.239.4244 or email education@mtcubacenter.org with questions or concerns.
C ONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS
M any 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 .
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:
• I dentify 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
• M anage 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 each course’s evaluation (project, quiz, exam, etc.). Sign up for the certificate program and learn more at mtcubacenter.org/certificate or contact the Education Department at 302.239.4244.
*M embers at the Supporter level or higher receive 10% off all classes, including Ecological Gardening Certificate courses. Visit mtcubacenter.org/ membership for more information.
ECOLOGICAL GARDENING CERTIFICATE CLASSES
*These courses are ideal starting points for the Certificate program.
NATIVE PLANTS SERIES
Discover the garden appeal of native plants of the Eastern Temperate Forest, which are not only beautiful and inspiring, but also critically important for maintaining healthy landscapes. You’ll discover a wide variety of native plants that can fulfill your gardening needs and support wildlife throughout the seasons. In Mt. Cuba’s stunning gardens, you will have the opportunity to learn how to identify 60 trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials in each seasonal Native Plants course. You will examine their key identifying characteristics, preferred growing conditions, overall size, and ecological significance. Students who are pursuing 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 George Coombs and Jay Kratz
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 Michael Strengari and Sam Hoadley
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 Laura Reilly and Melissa Starkey, PhD
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
View prerecorded lectures at your own pace prior to joining instructors 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
CEU
With Jay Kratz and Liz Allen
Six prerecorded online lectures available Monday 3/31
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 Fridays: 4/11 through 4/25 10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)
Section B: Tuesdays 9/2 and 9/9, and Wednesday 9/10, 10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)
Managing Invasive Plants
With Ellen Lake, PhD and Mt. Cuba Staff 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)
CEU
CEU
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 benefi cial 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.
Onsite
Outdoor learning conducted each day to complement the lectures may include walking over rolling and mulched paths. These classes are rain or shine.
Three Tuesdays: 5/6 through 5/20 10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)
Hybrid
View prerecorded content at your own pace prior to joining instructors for a scheduled onsite field day. Outdoor learning includes walking over rolling terrain and mulched paths. Dress for the weather. Field day is rain or shine. Prerecorded online lectures available Wednesday 8/6 Onsite Field Day: Wednesday 8/27 10 am – 2:30 pm | $259 (Lunch included when onsite)
“ Very engaging, especially enjoyed the walk outside for practical application. Made the information very digestible, good speakers.”
NEW
CEU
Plant Propagation
With James Rockwell and Claire Zuidervliet
Save money and grow your garden through practical propagation techniques using seeds and cuttings. Review the ethics of wild-collected 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)
Ecosystems and Plant Communities
With Lynn Mahaffy, PhD and William McAvoy
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 by exploring the dynamic and diverse plant communities present in our area. Enrich your learning with resources including the Flora of Delaware Online Database and a guide to Delaware Vegetation Communities.
Day 1 Thursday 6/5 and Day 2 Friday 6/6 10 am – 4 pm | $369 (Lunch included on Day 1 and Day 2)
Note: Day 3 Thursday 6/12 consists of a field trip from 8 am – 4 pm. Please bring a water bottle and lunch. Prepare for a full day of hiking and dress for the weather.
(Inclement Weather Date: Thursday 6/26)
CEU
CEU
Ecological Arboriculture
With Nicole DeLizzio, Scott Kelley, and William Trescott
Learn the methods Mt. Cuba’s arborists use to apply ecologically sound maintenance strategies and retain dead trees for wildlife while maintaining landscapes and built spaces. Develop a deeper connection to trees by understanding their outsized role in natural ecosystems and how they contribute, in both life and death, to forest ecology. Students will be trained to evaluate potential tree planting sites and the condition of mature trees. Outdoor learning conducted to complement the lectures may include walking over rolling terrain and mulched paths. These classes are rain or shine.
Three Tuesdays: 6/10 through 6/24 10 am – 2:30 pm | $299 (Lunch included)
Plant Health Care
With Timothy Waller, PhD, Jill Pollok, 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 identifying harmful and beneficial organisms. Go home knowing how to control pests in your garden using safe, wildlifefriendly practices.
Two Wednesdays and Two Thursdays 7/23, 7/24, 7/30, & 7/31 10 am – 2:30 pm | $399 (Lunch included)
Botany for Gardeners
With Melissa Starkey, PhD
Become a more successful gardener by understanding how plants grow and develop, how water and nutrients are taken up and distributed, and how leaves, flowers, stems, and roots function. 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.
Two Wednesdays 8/6 and 8/13 10 am – 2:30 pm | $199 (Lunch included)
Gardening for Watershed Conservation
With Mt. Cuba Center Staff
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. Learn how to implement various sustainable gardening and landscaping techniques that manage and conserve water. Reduce the demands of water management infrastructure by capturing the rain and keeping it onsite. Review case studies of water management projects and discuss solutions. Dress for the weather.
Two Thursdays: 9/4 and 9/11 10 am – 2:30 pm | $199 (Lunch included)
CEU
CEU
CEU
CEU NEW
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 our experts for the day and attend all four classes or register for individual sessions.
Saturday 4/5, 10 am – 4 pm | $29 per session
Supporting Backyard Birds with
Native Plants
With Leah Brooks
10 – 11 am
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. Transform your landscape into an oasis for your local birds!
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.
CEU
CEU
CEU
CEU
GARDENING CLASSES
Planting a Native Garden
With Nancy Bell
If you’re new to gardening and want to try growing native plants, here are some resilient species to get you started. Garden coach Nancy Bell discusses the merits of these plants and how they have adapted to their local habitats, including soil type, sun and shade patterns, moisture levels, and more. By planting the right plant in the right place, it should thrive with little extra care. Take a walk in the garden with the instructor to view the spring ephemerals and discuss their appeal and uses in your garden to bridge spring into summer.
Saturday 4/5, 10 am – 12 pm | $39
Rejuvenate Your Garden
With Nancy Bell
Be inspired to revivify your garden with lovely native plant selections designed to bring your garden alive by attracting birds, butterflies, and other pollinators, bringing added dimensions of fragrance, movement, and sound for your enjoyment. Take a walk in the garden with the instructor to view the spring ephemerals and discuss their appeal and uses in your garden to bridge spring into summer.
Saturday 4/5, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Spring Weeds 101
With Lucy Dinsmore
Think of what gardening would be like without the world of weeds. Learn to identify the most common annual and perennial lawn and garden weeds using leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds. Focuses on early season weeds and ecologically friendly methods of managing weed infestations. Join the instructor on a walk through the gardens. Class is rain or shine.
Friday 4/11, 10 am – 12 pm | $39
Naturalistic Planting Design
With Leah Blanton
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 will follow the lecture.
Saturday 4/12, 10 am – 1 pm | $49
CEU
CEU
CEU
CEU
GETTING STARTED WITH NATIVE PLANTS
With Nancy Bell
Not sure where to start with native plants? Nancy Bell, garden consultant and professional horticulturist, recommends beginning with a selection of tried-and-true species that can blend in with your existing plantings. Learn how simple it is to garden with the best locally available native trees, shrubs, and perennials in this three-part series. Ideal for both the novice and experienced gardeners.
Trees: The Garden’s Backbone
Trees form the all-import long-lasting structure of a home landscape, buffering wind, providing shade, and framing views of your property. From short to tall, sun to shade, wet to dry, there is sure to be a tree that fits your needs.
Wednesday 4/16 1 – 3 pm | $39
Shrubs: The Garden’s Workhorses
Shrubs help knit the landscape into a cohesive whole by providing texture, color, and seasonal interest. Leave with a list of attractive and fool-proof shrubs that bring birds and pollinators to your garden.
Wednesday 4/23 1 – 3 pm | $39
Perennials: The Garden’s Color Palette
There is a wealth of easyto-grow native perennials to choose from. Discover pollinator-friendly species that will compliment your property and tackle shady, sunny, wet, or dry garden sites.
Wednesday 4/30 1 – 3 pm | $39
ECO-GARDENING DESIGN 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.
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 | $49
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 design. Leave feeling empowered to take on your next lawn to lush habitat project, in alignment with the ecological clues of your land.
Saturday 5/17, 1 – 3 pm | $39
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 | $39
CEU NEW
GARDENING CARE SERIES
With Olivia Kirkpatrick
Learn and discuss approaches to ecological gardening maintenance through the growing season. Take one class or both to help organize your gardening tasks for the year.
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 | $39
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 | $39
NATIVE PLANT CONTAINER CREATIONS
With Kathleen Elliot and Mt. Cuba Staff
Create beautiful containers with colorful selections of native plants in these makeand-take classes and practice conservation by addition throughout the seasons. Bring your preferred pair of gardening gloves. Each class will include a container demonstration by the Formal Gardens Team responsible for the design and care of Mt. Cuba’s native containers.
Spring Beauty Container
Celebrate the beginning of gardening season. Learn what spills, thrills, and fills with a colorful selection of shadeloving native plants.
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.
Usher in the cool days with the vibrant colors of fall with a container combining autumn-flowering perennials and plants with richlytextured foliage that prefer full sun conditions.
Replace traditional mulch with a diverse array of hardy native plants to create a visually appealing and ecologically valuable landscape. Explore attractive, durable, and versatile groundcovers that will enhance your yard’s beauty and wildlife value. Gardeners of all skill levels can benefit from focusing on ground coverage, ultimately fostering resilient, low-maintenance gardens.
Friday 5/2, 10 am – 12 pm | $39
Get the Dirt on Soils
With Duncan Himmelman, PhD
Soil is alive with microorganisms that help provide our garden plants with the allimportant nutrients and water they need. Learn how to take a more holistic view of soil, improve soil quality using compost instead of fertilizers, interpret a soil test report, and create living soil that you’ll reap the benefits of for years to come.
Friday 5/2, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Workshop: Intro to Backyard Bog Gardening
With Wylie Lapp
Bogs are vital wetland ecosystems that are increasingly threatened by climate change. In this workshop, students will explore the unique plants that have adapted to these environments. Participants will learn how to work with waterlogged or boggy areas in the garden and create the conditions necessary for cultivating these remarkable sun-loving plants. Attendees will construct a bog container to showcase plants that thrive in a bog ecosystem, along with techniques for proper long-term maintenance. The workshop includes an instructor-led visit to Mt. Cuba’s ponds and bog containers.
Saturday 5/3, 10 am – 1 pm | $139 (Plants and container included)
Eco-Gardening: Plain and Simple
With Mt. Cuba Staff
Learn how native plant gardens provide beautiful, healthy spaces for people to enjoy while supporting pollinators and wildlife. Get motivated with practical examples and plenty of native plant suggestions that can provide a positive eco-impact.
Section A: Saturday 5/3, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Section B: Saturday 6/7, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Right Plant, Right Place
With Nancy Bell
Avoid costly errors by choosing the right plant for the right place based on environmental conditions, available space, and desired outcome. Learn how to select native plants and design a well-organized and functional garden while achieving your desired aesthetic and supporting the local ecosystem.
Wednesday 6/4, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Planting for Specialist Pollinators
With Leah Brooks
Specialist pollinators need our help! Many caterpillars and bees can only utilize certain plant species for food and shelter. By including certain trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in our gardens, we can extend a lifeline to our struggling pollinators. Explore a variety of native perennials and the specialist pollinators that depend on them for survival. A garden walk to view the plants is included.
Wednesday 6/11, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Workshop: Fundamentals of
Tree Pruning
With Scott Kelley and William Trescott
Although trees can thrive without intervention, pruning is essential to address safety issues and improve structure, health, and appearance. Join the Mt. Cuba Arboriculture Team for a discussion of pruning equipment and demonstration of professional pruning techniques. The instructors will facilitate discussions that help attendees decide when they can safely intervene and when they should seek professional assistance. Participants are encouraged to share their pruning questions and specific circumstances. Class will be held outside; please dress for the weather.
Friday 6/13, 10 am – 1 pm | $49
(Inclement weather date: Friday 6/20)
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 Rd.
Ferns add refinement and depth to your garden, and they are deer-resistant! Chris Hoess, who recently verified the identity of Mt. Cuba’s native ferns, leads this informative tour and discussion. Learn the natural history of ferns, how they reproduce, their amazing diversity of form, and where to grow them in your garden. Receive a list of common and lesser-known species to add to your landscape this year.
Sunday 6/15, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Instant Pollinator Garden
With Melissa Starkey, PhD
Transform your garden into an ecologically diverse paradise for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Discover plants that provide pollen and nectar to our native insects, how to site the garden, and the basic steps for creating suitable habitats for these all-important community workers. Take home five native plants and easy-to-use instructions for making a pollinator garden of your own.
Creating gardens under trees can be challenging due to various issues like dry soils, layers of roots, and dense shade. Learn which plants are best suited to your trees and conditions and how to successfully establish them in challenging environments. This class provides inspiration from nature and designed gardens, and reviews tools of the trade and industry hacks to get it done right. A garden walk with the instructor is included.
Saturday 6/28, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Plants that Like “Wet Feet”
With Nancy Bell
Discover native plants that will grow in wet conditions such as where a downspout empties, low-lying garden areas where water puddles, and areas that retain consistent moisture. Learn which native plants thrive in moisture-laden soil, tolerate sun or shade, provide seasonal interest, and attract waterloving birds and amphibians. See the plants associated with Mt. Cuba’s ponds and learn how to transform a water-filled spot in your yard into a functional new garden.
Saturday 6/28, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Pond Container Gardening
With Kelly Billing
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. The instructor demonstrates how you can turn just about anything that holds water into a low-maintenance water garden. From lotus to waterlilies to pitcher plants and more, learn how to select plants, choose pots, conduct annual maintenance, and control mosquitoes and other pests.
Saturday 7/12, 10 am – 1 pm | $49
“ Very enjoyable class. Instructor was excellent, enthusiastic, and easy to understand.”
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. Explore beautiful native alternatives to these invasive ornamentals and learn how making these substitutions helps protect our ecosystems. A garden walk to view recommended plants is included.
Friday 7/18, 10 am – 12 pm | $39
Instant Hummingbird Garden
With Mason Hornsby
Transform your yard into a haven for hummingbirds with a great selection of native perennials. Learn how to create a garden with ideal nesting requirements and food sources that attract these flying jewels from summer through fall. Take home five tried-and-true native plants and simple instructions for making a successful hummingbird habitat at home.
Protecting pollinators, and the essential ecological services they provide, requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. Be a part of the solution by contributing to pollinator conservation right in your own yard, neighborhood, town, or city through individual actions and collaborative efforts. Learn about pollinator diversity, Delaware native bees, how to make your local landscape pollinator-friendly by providing habitat, improving pesticide protection, engaging in community science, and educating others.
Wednesday 8/20, 10 am – 1 pm | $49
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Designing Resilient Landscapes
With Nancy Bell
Late summer is a great time to make observations and devise a plan for the fall to improve your garden. Explore ways to create diverse, attractive, and functional landscapes using basic principles of naturalistic gardening design. Learn how to work with your site to solve problems and maximize its use. Discover ways to design pathways that have purpose, beds that create interest and variety throughout the year considering sun, shade, wind patterns, microclimates, existing conditions, and other factors.
Friday 8/22, 10 am – 1 pm | $49
Lawn-less Yards
With Lucy Dinsmore
Reducing the American lawn is good for everyone. We can add more native plants, reduce flooding in our watershed, attract pollinators, and bring balance to our ecosystems. Dive into some example projects where native plant solutions have replaced lawns. This class will 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 as inspiration to transform your lawn into less.
Saturday 8/23, 10 am – 12 pm | $39
Trial Garden Highlights: Vernonia (ironweed)
With Sam Hoadley
The genus Vernonia, commonly known as ironweed, is an often-overlooked yet beautiful aster relative replete with eye catching pink to purple late summer-to-fall blooms. Vernonia ranges from compact and tidy plants to towering behemoths topping out at over 13 feet in height which are sure to make a statement in the landscape. Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba’s manager of horticultural research, will be your guide through the Vernonia trials, sharing the best Vernonia for gardens and for wildlife.
Thursday 8/28, 10 am – 12 pm | $39
[I] appreciate the focus on home gardens and integrating native plants into horticulture.”
Trial Garden Highlights: Solidago (goldenrod)
With Sam Hoadley Solidago, commonly known as goldenrods, are iconic and horticulturally invaluable perennials that produce breathtaking goldenyellow floral displays in late summer-to-fall. Despite their inherent beauty and value to wildlife, goldenrods are not commonly considered for garden use. Mt. Cuba’s recently concluded goldenrod trial shines a light on the tremendous ornamental qualities of this genus and illustrates their extraordinary capacity to support wildlife in cultivation. Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba’s manager of horticultural research, will be your guide through this first look at the three-year Solidago trial and will highlight topperforming species and cultivars that will make beautiful and ecologically valuable additions to gardens of the mid-Atlantic region.
Wednesday 9/17, 1 – 3 pm | $39
Fall Weeds 101 With Lucy Dinsmore
The cooler temperatures harken a hardy bunch of characters to the garden. Learn to identify the most common annual and perennial lawn and garden weeds using leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the fall. Focus on 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.
Friday 9/26, 10 am – 12 pm | $39
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Workshop: Propagating Native Ferns
With Kyra Matin
Discover how simple it is to grow ferns from spores. Review the life cycle of these ancient plants, how to properly collect and dry fertile fronds, and the basic steps for successfully propagating ferns. In this hands-on workshop, you will clean and sow spores into a simple growing system to take home. Visit the ferns in Mt. Cuba’s Trial Garden with the instructor.
Even in small garden spaces, we can boost diversity and interest through the seasons with succession planting. Learn the growth habits, preferences, and physical characteristics of native plants that can be combined to create layered and ecologically beneficial planting designs.
Saturday 9/27, 1 – 4 pm | $49
“ T he classes were varied, interesting and provided a good foundation. The instructors were very knowledgeable, energetic and passionate about their area of expertise.”
online classes
FLEXIBLE ONLINE LEARNING
Join live to participate in our online learning community or watch on your own time as your schedule allows. In addition to live presentation access, all registrants will receive a link to a recording of the class that will be available for two weeks after the live session.
Humanity for Habitats
With Dr. Susannah Lerman
The primary threat to biodiversity is habitat loss and degradation, but gardeners can help make a difference by choices they make in their own yards. Yards represent a conservation opportunity to provide wildlife habitat, support biodiversity, restore ecosystem function and ecosystem services, and increase local opportunities for people to connect with nature. Dr. Lerman will highlight studies like the “Bee Lawn” program that have direct applications for gardeners to enhance wildlife habitat in their yards, and describe opportunities, challenges, and strategies for yard stewardship to foster beautiful and beneficial residential landscapes for wildlife and people.
Thursday 4/24, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
Bats and Your Backyard Habitat
With Kesha Braunskill
These little flying mammals are great hunters of insects, eating more than 600 mosquitoes per hour! Learn about the eight species of bats native to Delaware, where they live, and how to include suitable shelters and landscape elements for bats in your yard.
Wednesday 5/14, 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.
Required materials: sketchbook or drawinggrade paper and at least a 24-pack of Prismacolor colored pencils.
Thursday 5/29, 5 – 7 pm | $29
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: Feathered Helicopters
With Jim McCormac Hummingbirds are perhaps the most amazing flying machines on earth. There are about 340 species, and they occur only in the Americas. The combination of incredible powers of flight, often outrageously showy plumage, and fantastic nectar-seeking habits make hummers true marvels of nature. This program will mostly focus on the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America: the ruby-throated hummingbird. Feathered dynamos, ruby-throats are a joy to observe, and live far more complex lives than most observers realize.
Wednesday 6/11, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
“ A ll I can say is, WOW! This was a very well-presented webinar...informational, educational, and inspiring.”
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. Examine the habitats that support dragonflies, as well as their lifecycles, foraging behaviors, and reproductive strategies.
Wednesday 7/9, 6 – 7:30 pm | $25
Backyard Composting
With Rick Carr
Learn how to turn your household waste into nutrient-rich compost with the help of home-scale 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 when they arise during the process, and how to harvest and use the finished compost in your garden to improve plant growth.
Weekday 8/27, 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: Vernonia 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
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classes conservation
Trillium Treasureland: 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. Class size is limited. Driving instructions to the site are provided upon registration. 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 doors. 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 | $49
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 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 pm | $44
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.
Thursday 4/17, 10 am – 12 pm | $39
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 | $39
(Inclement weather date: Wednesday 4/30)
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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.
Learn about the important identifying features of our local fungi and 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.
Tuesday 5/13, 1 – 4 pm | $49
CEU NEW
Bats and Your Backyard Habitat
With Kesha Braunskill
These little flying mammals are great hunters of insects, eating more than 600 mosquitoes per hour! Learn about the eight species of bats native to Delaware, where they live, and how to include suitable shelters and landscape elements for bats in your yard. Then walk Mt. Cuba’s property to scout locations where bats are likely to roost and use a small acoustic monitor to listen for bats as well as see them.
Section A: Friday 5/30, 7 – 9 pm | $39
(Inclement Weather Date: Friday 6/6)
Section B: Saturday 6/7, 7 – 9 pm | $39
(Inclement Weather Date: Saturday 6/14)
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 Mt. Cuba’s ponds and see how these aerial acrobats fit into the ecosystems and how you can create a place in your garden for them.
Wednesday 6/25, 1 – 3 pm | $39
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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.
Friday 7/18, 1 – 3 pm | $39
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 and how to promote them in your garden. Discover signs of caterpillar activity, tools to identify them, and explore outdoors to hone your search skills.
Thursday 8/21, 9 am – 12 pm | $49
“ Very concise, very well informed. I liked the in-depth information about Monarch life cycle. As always, excellent for both instructors.”
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classes art
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 $165
A detailed list of required materials is provided with registrations.
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, beginner-level 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 stepby-step exercises, instructor demonstrations, and oneon 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.
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 your own wildflower-themed project. Woodburning supplies are provided.
Explore the basics of basketry while using simple tools and techniques. You will come away from the workshop with your very own hand-woven basket. Learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare foraged materials, both native to the area or invasive, that make the best materials for basket weaving.
Sunday 5/4, 1 – 4 pm | $79
(Materials included)
Botanical Sun Printing
With Shelly Silva
Cyanotype, also known as sun prints, is a camera-less photographic printing process that allows the artist to explore shape, light, and an appreciation of nature. In this class, students will learn the history of this process, use the sun as a UV light source, and create cyanotypes using plant materials harvested from Mt. Cuba. No prior experience is necessary, and all supplies will be provided. This class includes walking in and out of the classroom to expose prints to sunlight and using chemicals that may stain clothes.
Section A: Saturday 5/31, 10 am – 1 pm | $79
(Materials included)
(Inclement Weather Date: Saturday, 6/7)
Section B: Sunday, 8/3, 10 am – 1 pm | $79
(Inclement Weather Date: Sunday, 8/10)
(Materials included)
Working with Natural Dyes
With Diane Keesee
Create a table runner or a set of napkins made using dyes extracted from natural sources like indigo. Diane Keesee discusses 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.
Saturday 6/7, 10 am – 1 pm | $79
(Materials included)
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, and 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 7/26, 10 am – 12 pm | $79
Section B: Saturday 7/26, 1 – 3 pm | $79
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 provided with registration.
Wednesday 9/10 through Friday 9/12 10 am – 1 pm | $145
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 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.
Friday 9/26, 10 am – 3 pm | $85
“ Any apprehension I had about being able to draw were set at ease by Margaret. I thoroughly enjoyed this class.”
