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WELCOME 70 Years of Plant Conservation Mt. Cuba Center is a botanical garden that inspires an appreciation for the beauty and value of native plants and a commitment to protect the habitats that sustain them. Over the past 70 years the gardens at Mt. Cuba Center have evolved, transforming fallow cornfields into thriving, ecologically-functional landscapes, thanks to the initiative of Mr. and Mrs. Lammot du Pont Copeland. With its support of bio-diverse communities, Mt. Cuba Center serves as a model for environmentally beneficial gardening. The gardens at Mt. Cuba Center represent a variety of natural settings that reflect local Piedmont habitats; from upland forests and meadows, to lowland ponds. Mt. Cuba Center also conducts original research on native plants in its Trial Garden and in over 500 acres of natural lands. This fall Mt. Cuba Center has something for everyone. Participate in our Ecological Gardening Certificate program with more in-depth courses, paint at a free “Art-In”, or discover the world of mushrooms with Tradd Cotter. Take a look at our Featured Speaker section where renowned professionals like Doug Tallamy, Larry Weaner, and Scott Weidensaul show you how to make more environmentally-friendly choices. We are also proud to announce a new Mt. Cuba Center fellowship program with the University of Delaware where graduate students research which plants bees prefer and evaluate whether cultivars serve pollinators as well as the straight species. Mt. Cuba Center believes that one step towards gardening ecologically is to add a native plant to your garden. With this in mind, we are offering a great deer-tolerant goldenrod named ‘Golden Fleece’ (pictured right) for students to take home.
Mt. Cuba Center’s Founding Intention: “I want this to be a place where people will learn to appreciate our native plants and to see how these plants can enrich their lives so that they, in turn, will become conservators of our natural habitats.” - Mrs. Lammot du Pont Copeland
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Program Index
Page
Visit Our Gardens
3
Featured Programs
7
Co-Sponsored Events
13
Ecological Gardening Certificate Program
15
Gardening Classes
22
Conservation Classes
27
Art Classes
31
Wellness Classes
34
Instructor Profiles
35
Program Calendar
39
Directions and Student Information
41
Registration Form
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Mt. Cuba Center offers continuing education credits on selected classes for the following organizations: the Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association (DNLA) Certified Nursery Professional program and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) Pesticide Recertification and Nutrient Management programs. See class descriptions for details.
2 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
VISIT OUR GARDENS Explore our gardens, learn about notable natives, and visit a Discovery Station!
General Admission
Open Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm through November 1st. Guided walks are available at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Explore the gardens with a friendly and knowledgeable guide. No reservations required. $6 Adults $4 Children ages 5 to 16. Children under 5 are free.
First Saturdays
New this fall! Join us for a special program on the first Saturday of the month. Enjoy seasonally themed, family-friendly activities and Discovery Stations. Celebrate the beauty of the fall season with your family at Mt. Cuba Center. Bugs & Butterflies Art in the Garden Fall Finale
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Saturday, September 6 Saturday, October 4 Saturday, November 1
10:00 am – 4:00 pm 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Comfort and Accessibility
Comfortable outdoor walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended when visiting. Due to our rolling terrain and mulched paths, the use of strollers and wheelchairs is limited. Pets are not permitted.
Picnicking
Guests are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy our picnic area shaded by mature native trees. Drinking water is available in the Main House. We encourage visitors to bring a reusable water bottle to help minimize waste and support Mt. Cuba Center’s commitment to conservation.
Garden Closures
For updated information regarding weather-related closures and cancellations, visit mtcubacenter.org/visit/cancellations or call 302.239.4244.
4 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
VISIT OUR GARDENS Public Garden Tours
Join a two-hour tour on Thursdays at 10:00 am or Sundays at 1:00 pm through October. Tours are led by knowledgeable docents. Tickets are $10. Make a reservation online at mtcubacenter.org, by phone at 302.239.4244, or stop by.
Group Tours
Have a group of ten or more? Contact us at grouptours@mtcubacenter.org or call 302.239.4244 to arrange a private tour Wednesdays through Sundays. Please schedule at least two weeks in advance.
Season Pass
Enjoy free admission on Fridays and Saturdays. Season Passes include complimentary guest passes and are available for purchase both onsite and online at mtcubacenter.org. $35 Individual $70 Family (Admits passholder and three guests per visit)
Garden Art Pass
Artists are invited to paint, draw, or photograph Mt. Cuba Center. Set up your easel or tripod and enjoy the tranquility of the garden as you capture its beauty. Don’t miss this special opportunity. Garden Art Passes are available both onsite and online. Wednesdays and Thursdays April through October 10:00 am – 3:00 pm $50 New! Exclusive opportunities for Garden Art Passholders to capture early morning and late afternoon light. See our website mtcubacenter.org for details. Thursday, September 18 Saturday, September 20 Thursday, October 16 Saturday, October 25
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8:00 am – 10:00 am 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm 8:00 am – 10:00 am
6 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
FEATURED PROGRAMS GAR 821 The Living Landscape With Douglas Tallamy Thursday, September 25 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm $35 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) We can only keep our ecosystems functioning if we save the creatures that run them. To save local biodiversity we must increase the amount and diversity of productive native plants in our neighborhoods and corporate landscapes. But how can we create socially acceptable landscapes using native plants? Many people are concerned that natives are more prone to insect damage, are messy and unappealing, will attract vermin, and cannot be used formally. Doug Tallamy dispels these misconceptions and suggests ways to make your property a showpiece while increasing its ecological value in the local ecosystem. Afterwards, join Doug for a book signing of his new book The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden. Doug Tallamy is an Entomology and Wildlife Ecology professor at the University of Delaware where he has authored 80 research articles. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home received the 2008 silver medal from the Garden Writer’s Association. The Living Landscape, coauthored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014. Doug received the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd Jr. Award of Excellence in 2013.
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GAR 810 Mushroom Mania With Tradd Cotter Saturday and Sunday, October 11 & 12 9:00 am – 4:00 pm $250 (Materials included) Spend a fascinating weekend appreciating the world of mushrooms. Learn basic mushroom identification skills for common edible and toxic species, explore fungal ecology, and discover simple indoor and outdoor mushroom cultivation techniques. Get informed on how mushrooms provide vital ecosystem services in addition to being a nutritious food source. Be inspired by the fungus among us! Inoculate a shiitake log, create an oyster mushroom fruiting kit, and receive a lifetime’s worth of knowledge. See how you can use Mother’s Nature’s “fun guys” to enhance your gardening. Be prepared to walk and work outdoors. Bring your lunch. Copies of Tradd’s newly released and much anticipated book, Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation: Simple to Advanced and Experimental Techniques for Indoor and Outdoor Cultivation, will be available for purchase and signing by the author.
8 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
FEATURED PROGRAMS GAR 811 Grow More with Less With Vincent Simeone Saturday, October 25 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $35 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Now, more than ever, it is important for gardeners to develop sustainable ways to manage their landscape. With limited natural resources and growing environmental challenges, finding long-term solutions to sustaining our landscapes is essential. Explore ways to create a more sustainable environment including recycling, habitat management, water conservation, composting, and proper plant selection. Don’t miss this inspiring, informative presentation and book signing opportunity for Vincent’s new book, Grow More With Less! Vincent Simeone is the Director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in New York, an author of five books, and in 2010 was honored by the Long Island Nursery and Landscape Association as Man of the Year.
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The Self Proliferating Garden: Setting a Process in Motion With Larry Weaner GAR 812 Saturday, January 10, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm GAR 813 Tuesday, January 20, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Snow date: Saturday, January 24 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm) $35 per session. Sign up for either or both sessions. (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit for each course) Create dynamic, ecologically rich landscapes where nature does much of the planting. Learn to capitalize on your plants’ reproductive abilities, and encourage existing, planted and recruited species to populate your landscape. Case studies feature examples from small gardens as well as large properties. GAR 812 introduces key concepts and explores plant selection, spacing, seeding techniques, and strategies for assisting plant proliferation. GAR 813 examines additional strategies for assisting plant proliferation, addresses management concerns, and describes how to influence the seed bank. Larry Weaner is a renowned landscape designer with a national reputation for combining environmental sciences with garden design. His projects span more than 10 states and are featured in national and international publications.
10 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
FEATURED PROGRAMS CON 810 Birds and Beans With Scott Weidensaul Saturday, February 7 (Snow date: Sunday February 8 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm) 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm $35 Since the dawn of human imagination, we have been spellbound by the migration of birds, in which even the smallest species traverse immensities of space the way we cross the street. Although the populations of many migratory birds are in drastic decline, there are many things we can do to save them. Naturalist and author Scott Weidensaul explores the wonder and mechanics of migration, and the simple, effective ways we can help preserve our migrants, from what we plant in our gardens to what we pour into our morning mug of coffee. Be part of the solution!
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VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
CO-SPONSORED EVENTS The Real and Fantastic World of Charles Burchfield Co-sponsored by the Brandywine River Museum of Art and Mt. Cuba Center. Experience where art and nature meet with these three opportunities.
Exhibit Opening
Exalted Nature: The Real and Fantastic World of Charles Burchfield Friday, August 22, 5:30 pm – 8 pm, at the Brandywine River Museum of Art The Brandywine River Museum of Art invites friends of Mt. Cuba Center to attend this exhibit opening. Enjoy a complimentary entry with hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Call 610.388.8326 or visit brandywinemuseumshop.org for more information.
Guided Tours
Exalted Nature: The Real and Fantastic World of Charles Burchfield With Audrey Lewis and Eileen Boyle Wednesday, September 17 (Rain Date: Thursday, September 18) 10:30 am – 3:30 pm $40 ($32 for Brandywine members) includes guided tours and lunch Experience nature through the eyes of Charles Burchfield, a leading American artist known for his visionary approach to landscape painting. Begin with a guided tour of his work at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. Then enjoy lunch in the museum’s scenic restaurant, followed by a tour of Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens which suggest Burchfield’s work. Register with the Brandywine River Museum of Art at brandywinemuseumshop.org or call 610.388.8326.
Art-In
All artists welcome Friday, September 26 (Rain Date: Saturday September 27) 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Free!
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Take the time for a day of art in the garden. Let your creativity bloom while you draw, paint, or photograph Mt. Cuba Center’s naturalistic gardens. Meet other participating artists and enjoy a lovely day of art. Members of the Brandywine River Museum of Art receive $10 off the purchase of Mt. Cuba Center’s Garden Art Pass. Although this is a free event, registration is required. Call Mt. Cuba Center at 302.239.4244, visit our website mtcubacenter.org, or register when you arrive.
Copeland Native Plant Seminar
Co-sponsored by the Delaware Nature Society and Mt. Cuba Center Join nationally recognized birder Kenn Kaufman and renowned photographer Rick Darke as they share their vision for enticing, appealing and peaceful gardens that welcome both people and wildlife. Copies of their most recent books will be available for purchase and signing. See more details and register by calling the Delaware Nature Society at 302.239.2334 or visit their website delawarenaturesociety.org. Saturday, March 21, 2015 9:00 am – 12:00 pm $35 ($25 for Delaware Nature Society members)
Flying Gardens: Choices that Change the World Kenn Kaufman, Author and Birder
Planting something, from a single flower to a whole garden (or even an entire landscape), can change the world. What kinds of change will we introduce? In this richly illustrated talk, Kenn Kaufman argues that a garden or landscape is more than just a collection of plants: it is a lively place, humming with the diversity of native insects, birds, and other creatures. Kenn discusses the ways this view of nature enriches our own experiences of life and ultimately makes the world a better place.
The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden Rick Darke, Author and Photographer
The richness of life in any landscape is linked to the abundance of its layers, and this is true for both people and wildlife. With special attention to pollinators, this presentation looks at landscape layers from ground cover to canopy and suggests ways to conserve, create, and manage them in home gardens that are beautiful, biologically diverse, and joyfully livable. The presentation is illustrated with authentic examples of residential gardens that double as homes for wildlife, including Mike Riska and Angie Dunson’s certified wildlife habitat garden.
14 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
ECOLOGICAL GARDENING CERTIFICATE Mt. Cuba Center’s Ecological Gardening Certificate Whether you’re a backyard gardener, landscape professional, or just interested in native plants and their wildlife interactions, this certificate program offers a comprehensive approach to gardening in harmony with nature using ecologically sound practices. The Mt. Cuba Center Ecological Gardening Certificate program explores the concept of gardening in the context of an ecosystem. Subjects include the importance of life in the soil, identifying and growing native plants, and the fundamentals of eco-friendly horticulture practices. Learn how to attract beneficial wildlife like birds, bees, and butterflies into your garden by creating an inviting ecological design. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: • Design ecologically sound gardens by imitating nature’s patterns and systems • Create beautiful landscapes with high ecological function • Be proficient in native plant identification and landscape use • Use organic landscape practices to create resilient environments • Understand plant health issues and how to manage them sustainably • Gain tools to become a conservator of our natural habitats
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Code
Course Name
Hours
GAR 301
Fundamentals of Ecological Gardening
8
GAR 302
Sustainable Landscape Techniques
8
GAR 303
Botany for Gardeners
8
GAR 304
Enhancing Life in the Soil
16
GAR 305
Ecosystems and Plant Communities
16
GAR 310
Plant Propagation
GAR 312
Inviting Wildlife into the Garden
16
GAR 321
Native Plants of Spring
12
GAR 322
Native Plants of Summer
12
GAR 323
Native Plants of Fall
12
GAR 341
Integrated Pest Management
16
GAR 342
Plant Disease Management
6
GAR 343
Invasive Plants
8
GAR 361
Environmental Landscape Design
Total Hours for Certificate Completion
8
12
158
Certificate classes are open to everyone, from beginners to experts. Complete all classes to earn a certificate, or take only the classes that interest you. Begin with any class - there are no prerequisites. However, students seeking certification must pass an evaluation (pass/fail quiz, exam, etc.) after each class. Offered in Fall 2014/Winter 2015 are: Plant Disease Management, Native Plants of Fall, Inviting Wildlife into the Garden, Invasive Plants, Enhancing Life in the Soil, Environmental Landscape Design, and Native Plants of Spring. Look for additional classes in our Spring/Summer 2015 Program Guide. For more information visit our website mtcubacenter.org, call 302.239.4244, or email education@mtcubacenter.org.
16 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
CERTIFICATE CLASSES GAR 342 Plant Disease Management With Bob Mulrooney Saturday, August 23 9:00 am – 3:30 pm $90 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit and four DDA Pesticide Recertification credits) Become your own plant health detective and learn to diagnose the signs and symptoms of plant diseases in your landscape. Gardening sustainably requires knowledge of the pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses) and environmental conditions that lead to infection. Become familiar with common disease life cycles and discuss multi-faceted management strategies for prevention and control. Explore healthy alternatives to make your garden thrive. Bring your lunch and be prepared to walk outdoors.
GAR 323 Native Plants of Fall With David Korbonits and Eileen Boyle Six Wednesdays: September 10 - October 15 Optional exam: October 22 9:00 am – 11:00 am $180 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Learn to identify 60 beautiful and ecologically functional native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials chosen by our experienced gardening staff. Through lectures and outdoor labs, examine the identifying characteristics of each plant, their preferred site conditions, and their environmental value. Use this knowledge to make informed plant selections for your fall garden. Be prepared to walk outdoors.
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GAR 312 Inviting Wildlife Into the Garden With Kelly Gill, Eileen Boyle, and Derek Stoner Two Saturdays: September 20 & 27 9:00 am – 5:00 pm $240 (Materials included) (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Transform your barren landscape into a garden that attracts a wide array of wildlife such as birds, bees, and butterflies. Unlock this important connection to habitat and the essential role of its pollinators. Observe native bees in action and learn about our pollen and nectar research. Discover the best plants for butterfly gardens including caterpillar host plants and nectar sources. Become familiar with designing landscapes for birds, especially hummingbirds, and creating spaces that invite beneficial wildlife into your garden. Walk Mt. Cuba Center gardens to experience a myriad of these fine creatures and see the best fruits for migratory birds. Be prepared to walk outdoors. Bring your lunch.
GAR 343 Invasive Plants With Sylvan Kaufman and Nate Shampine Saturday and Sunday: October 18 & 19 10:00 am – 2:30 pm $120 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Is your landscape being invaded? Examine the problems invasive plants cause and discover management strategies for controlling them. Learn how to identify common invasive plants and how to distinguish them from similar looking native plants. Help stem the tide and give natives more room to grow. Bring your lunch and be prepared to walk outdoors. Sylvan Kaufman’s book, Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species will be available for purchase and signing by the author.
18 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
CERTIFICATE CLASSES GAR 361 Environmental Landscape Design With Jules Bruck Six Thursdays: January 22 – February 26 (Snow date: March 5) Section A: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Section B: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm $180 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Design a basic plan for a garden that requires less maintenance, fewer inputs, and is well adapted to your local conditions. Change your perspective, and increase the life in your landscape by decreasing space dedicated to lawn. Learn how to measure, inventory, and analyze your site, then make a conceptual design and planting plan. See our website mtcubacenter.org for a class materials list. The required text for this course, Principles of Ecological Landscaping by Travis Beck, is available at a discounted rate from Mt. Cuba Center for enrolled students.
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GAR 304 Enhancing Life in the Soil With Elaine Ingham Saturday and Sunday, March 28 & 29 8:30 am – 5:00 pm $240 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit and 14.5 Delaware Nutrition Management credits.) Soil is alive! Balanced soils contain a wide assortment of organisms that support healthier plants. Soil is often the least understood and most overlooked component of sustainable gardening. Learn about soil structure, the biodiversity of soil organisms, good composting practices, how to make compost tea, and why this all matters. Go home with a greater understanding of the life in your soil and a commitment to make your garden more eco-friendly. Bring your lunch. Elaine Ingham is both a widely acclaimed expert and a pioneer in the subject of life in the soil.
GAR 321 Native Plants of Spring With Eileen Boyle and Mt. Cuba Center staff Six Wednesdays: April 8 – May 13 Optional exam: May 20 9:00 am – 11:00 am $180 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Learn to identify 60 beautiful and ecologically functional native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials chosen by our experienced gardening staff. Through lectures and outdoor labs, examine the identifying characteristics of each plant, their preferred site conditions, and their environmental value. Use this knowledge to make informed plant selections for the spring garden. Be prepared to walk outdoors.
20 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
Photo Page
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GARDENING CLASSES GAR 113 Sustainable Gardening Practices With Kathleen Salisbury Friday, September 12 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $30 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) From mowing the lawn to what to do with all of those autumn leaves, learn the basics of sustainable garden maintenance. Timing and techniques for pruning, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and planting are covered. Take home practical information you can use right away. Gain the knowledge to care for your landscape in a way that is better for you and the environment.
GAR 133 Best Native Trees and Shrubs With Steven Kristoph Friday, September 19 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $30 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Growing trees and shrubs in the tough conditions of cities and suburbs can be challenging. Selecting the woody plants that are best suited to tolerate difficult sites and using the right plant in the right place is critical. Steven Kristoph’s expertise as a nurseryman and instructor makes this class a must for those with new homes, homeowners interested in augmenting their property with native trees and shrubs, or community activists. Find out how to improve your neighborhood with native trees and shrubs.
22 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
GARDEN CLASSES GAR 132 Rock Gardening With William “Sandy” Schenck and Vic Piatt Wednesday, September 24 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $30 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Join us for an exclusive look at the Scree Garden and Rock Outcrop of Mt. Cuba Center. Discover which plants thrive in hot dry areas like a rock bald, become fascinated by the wonders of our local geology, and see how it influences plant selections. Experience a great display of Delaware’s state mineral sillimanite and get native plant solutions for your dry rocky area. Be prepared to walk outdoors and on rugged terrain.
GAR 114 Designing Change: Making Resilient Landscapes and Gardens With Travis Beck Thursday, October 9 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm $30 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) How should we garden in this time of global change? Can we design plantings that will survive varied and even unpredictable conditions? Natural systems deal with unpredictability every day and have persisted through eons of change. Apply the ecological principles that underlie these systems to create successful and resilient gardens and landscapes. Travis Beck, Mt. Cuba Center’s Director of Horticulture, will sign copies of his recent book, Principles of Ecological Landscape Design.
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GAR 105 Native Plants for Fall Color With Pete Zeigler Thursday, October 23 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $30 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) What are the best plants for fall color? This fall enjoy the reds, yellows, burgundies, and oranges of autumn while strolling through the gardens of Mt. Cuba Center. Discover native plants that add spice and flavor to your fall landscape with blooms, bark, fruit, and leaf color. Once inspired, find out where, why, and how to use these plants in your garden. Be prepared to walk outdoors.
GAR 134 Shake Up Your Foundation With Renée Kemmerer Wednesday, February 25 (Snow date: Friday, February 27) 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $30 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Landscapers often install Bradford pear, burning bush and Japanese pachysandra in foundation plantings. Substitute these invasives with native trees, shrubs and perennials that feature multi-season interest, support songbirds, and provide fall color. With the knowledge gained in this class, make the transformation from an ecological desert to a beautiful, bountiful oasis one plant at a time.
24 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
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GARDEN CLASSES GAR 106 Landscape for Life With Kathleen Salisbury and Margaret Shillingford Five Thursdays: March 5 - April 2 (Snow Date: April 9) 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $100 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Harness nature’s power to create a healthy, beautiful home landscape. Conventional gardens often work against nature but sustainable gardens can boost the environment’s ability to clean air and water, reduce flooding, combat climate change, and provide all the other natural benefits that support life on earth - including us. The good news is that even one home garden can begin to repair the web of life. Work with nature, whether you garden in a city or suburban lot, a 20 - acre farm, or the common area of your condominium. It is possible to create a great looking garden that is healthier for you, your pets, and the environment - and that saves you time and money.
GAR 110 Adventures in Moss Gardening With Alice Waegel and Marcie Weigelt Saturday, April 11 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm $35 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Moss is great! Evaluate its gardening value and observe how Mt. Cuba Center incorporates moss into the landscape. See 15 different moss species and discover what is involved in the complex world of moss ID. The class ends outside with a demonstration on transplanting and maintaining a moss garden. Take home a sample to start your own moss garden. Be prepared to walk outdoors.
20 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
CONSERVATION CLASSES CON 163 Food and Feathers: Where Community Farm Meets Bird Conservation With Lisa Kiziuk and Fred de Long Thursday September 11 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm $30 Discover Rushton Woods Preserve, a new nature preserve that successfully combines conservation and agriculture. This new gem has the dual purpose of protecting critical birding sites (an Audubon IBA), conducting a banding and monitoring station, and running a community farm and CSA. Surrounded by diverse ecological communities, the Willistown Conservation Trust’s Rushton Farm Preserve is an ideal place to promote sustainable agriculture while fostering a meaningful appreciation for the natural environment. See how they do it.
CON 182 Food and Feathers at the Farm With Lisa Kiziuk and Fred de Long Saturday, September 13 7:00 am – 11:00 am $35 Join us for a Field Day at Rushton Woods Farm & Preserve in Newtown, PA to see bird banding firsthand and how a sustainable farm operates. Discover how beneficial land management practices positively impact the surrounding environment. Observe farm and birding activities in action. Be prepared to walk outdoors. Visit our website mtcubacenter.org for directions and more details. Limited van transportation is available by emailing education@mtcubacenter.org or calling 302.239.4244.
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CON 161 Install and Maintain a Native Plant Meadow With Mark Gormel Saturday, October 4 9:30 am – 11:30 am $30 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) Reduce your weekly lawn maintenance by starting your own native plant meadow. Properly planned, installed, and maintained native plant meadows are unmatched in their ability to provide nearly year round beauty with long-term, high-quality habitat and low maintenance requirements. This lecture covers the why, how, what, when, and where of what it takes to turn an area of turf grass into an aesthetically rich, environmentally functional, thriving native plant community. Get started today!
28 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
CONSERVATION CLASSES CON 142 Your Yard, Their Home: Bee, Bird and Bat Houses With Lou Schurter and Michele Gandy Sunday, November 2 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $35 (Materials included) Encourage wildlife in your backyard: build homes for birds, bats, and bees! With the help of ArcGIS technology, find out which local fauna your yard best supports. Discover how artificial nest boxes provide crucial nesting habitats for key members of our living ecosystems. Evaluate which homes are best suited for your yard, then understand how to construct, site, and care for them. Transform your yard into a home for these essential ecosystem inhabitants and take home a nest box best suited for your landscape.
CON 183 Historic Ramble: Ghosts of the Past With Nedda Moqtaderi and Michele Gandy Saturday, November 8 9:00 am – 12:00 pm $45 Uncover the past! Historian and researcher Nedda Moqtaderi reveals the rich historical legacy of Mt. Cuba Center, from expansive family farms to active milling complexes. Study three centuries of people and landscapes as we explore the archival records, historic buildings, and Mt. Cuba Center’s natural lands. Be prepared to walk outdoors.
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CON 151 Gardening with Deer With Kathleen Salisbury Sunday, March 22 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm $30 (Earn one DNLA Certified Nursery Professional credit) You’ve chosen the most beautiful plant at the garden center and worked a halfday to plant it in the perfect spot, just to find the next day it has disappeared! There are the tell-tale hoof prints of deer in your soil. What to do? During this class explore the variety (and efficacy!) of strategies and tactics to combat this foe. Take home ideas and a plant list so that you can enjoy a lush balanced landscape.
30 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
ART CLASSES ART 187 iPhoneography: The Art of iPhone® Photography With Julia Grace Two Thursdays: September 18 & 25 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm $45 (iPhone® and apps required for this class) Forgot your camera? Not to worry, use your iPhone®. Find out how you can take stunning nature photographs and pleasing portraits with your phone. Join Julia Grace for this two-day workshop where you will learn the basics such as lighting and composition, how to use several photography apps, and the value of post processing work. A basic understanding of how to use your phone and apps is needed for this class. A list of required apps is provided upon registration. See our website mtcubacenter.org for further information.
ART 105 Painting Workshop With Bill Ternay Five days: Monday-Friday, September 29 – October 3 10:00 am – 3:00 pm $175 Interpret the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center’s exquisite garden using oils and watercolors. Art instructor Bill Ternay shares his knowledge and expertise with each medium using demonstrations and one-on-one instruction. Students of all levels are encouraged to acquire technical skills and explore aesthetic concerns. Please bring all the materials necessary for painting outdoors in oil or watercolor. A detailed materials list is available on our website mtcubacenter.org. Bring your lunch and dress for the outdoors.
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ART 182 Fall Photography Stroll With Chris Starr Saturday, October 25 7:00 am – 11:00 am $20 Enjoy this early morning opportunity with fall color near its peak to photograph the gardens of Mt. Cuba Center. Photographers of all experience levels, from novices to experts, receive expertise and guidance on the technical and aesthetic elements of photography. Chris Starr, a skilled photographer, shares advice, techniques, inspiration, and encouragement. Bring your camera lenses and camera manual. Be prepared to walk outdoors.
ART 188 Fabulous Felt Creations With Julia Grace Thursday, November 13 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm $75 (Materials included) Let native plants be your inspiration as you practice the popular fiber craft of needle felting, the art of sculpting wool fleece using a special barbed needle. With a few simple techniques, create many different pieces from jewelry, embellishments, and ornaments, to toys, wool pets, or sculptures. You can also appliqué the fleece onto your favorite bag, hat, or coat. Learn a variety of needle felting techniques to create your very own native plant accessory, sculpture, or appliquéd embellishment. Go home with all the materials you need to continue felting.
32 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
ART CLASSES ART 161 Natural Holiday Wreaths Birds Will Love With Donna Wiley Thursday, December 4 10:00 am – 12:00 pm $65 (Materials included) Enjoy the holidays with our feathered friends. Decorate a circle of greens with dried flowers, nuts, seed pods, berries, and ribbon to make an attractive holiday present for our overwintering birds. Gain knowledge about which native plants provide great fruit or seed for holiday wreaths. Bring hand pruners and gloves.
ART 101 Introduction to Botanical Art With John Gist Three Saturdays, March 7, 14, & 21 10:00 pm – 2:00 pm $175 Learn to draw plants in this introductory class using pen and pencil. Carefully observe the subject and understand form and structure. Practice sighting skills to place the subject in a way that is both pleasing and exciting. See the world with fresh eyes and carry inspiration and an individual point of view into a finished work. Bring your lunch and all the materials outlined on the course materials list available on our website mtcubacenter.org.
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WELLNESS CLASSES Ecological gardening is fundamentally about nurturing healthy communities of plants, animals, and even people. Join us for this wellness series in our lovely garden. Participants in any exercise program are encouraged to make sure exercise is approved by their doctor. Wear comfortable clothing.
WEL 101 An Introduction to Tai Chi With Vicky McGhee Section A: Six Fridays, September 19 – October 24 Section B: Six Fridays, November 7 – December 19 (No class November 28) Section C: Six Fridays, January 9 – February 13 11:00 am – 12:00 pm $60 for each six-week section Exercise your body and unwind your mind. Develop important foundation skills of Tai Chi that help maintain proper body alignment, and discover the benefits of Tai Chi walking and a simple Qi Gong set.
WEL 201 Intermediate Tai Chi With Vicky McGhee Section A: Six Fridays, November 7 – December 19 (No class November 28) Section B: Six Fridays, January 9 – February 13 9:30 am – 10:30 am $60 for each six-week session Build on the foundation skills learned in An Introduction to Tai Chi. Maintain proper body alignment, and improve well-being.
34 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
INSTRUCTOR PROFILES Travis Beck: Travis is the Director of Horticulture at Mt. Cuba Center and holds a Master’s degree in Horticulture. He is a registered landscape architect and author of Principles of Ecological Landscape Design published in 2013. Eileen Boyle: Eileen is the Director of Education and Research at Mt. Cuba Center. Previously she was the Director of Horticulture at the Philadelphia Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden. Jules Bruck, PhD: Jules is an Associate Professor of Landscape Design at the University of Delaware and owner of Evolution Landscape Design, LLC. Her current research focuses on design-based learning and public perception of sustainable landscape practices. Tradd Cotter: Tradd is a professional mycologist and organic gardener who collects and cultivates fungi both commercially and experimentally. He maintains over 200 species of fungi and explores natural alternatives to chemical pesticides. Fred de Long: Fred is the Director of the Willistown Conservation Trust Community Farm Program. He developed the model for this program to demonstrate how food systems can interconnect with, and positively impact, surrounding ecosystems. Michele Gandy: Michele is a Mt. Cuba Center Natural Lands Steward with a strong interest in geospatial information systems. She earned her Masters degree in Ecology and Evolution from Rutgers University. Kelly Gill: Kelly is a Pollinator Conservation Specialist with the Xerces Society and a partner biologist with the USDA. She provides technical support to help conserve and protect pollinators and other beneficial insects. John Gist: John is an experienced art instructor and acclaimed artist. He has taught art for over 15 years and his work has been displayed in several exhibitions. Mark Gormel: Mark is the Native Plant Program Coordinator at Brandywine Conservancy, and a frequent lecturer and native plant consultant emphasizing the design, installation, and management of native plant meadows.
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Julia Grace: Julia’s interests include photography, wool sculpture, and jewelry making. Her pieces are licensed for commercial use and sold in various venues. Elaine Ingham, PhD: Elaine is a world-renowned soil biologist who studies the microbial life of soil and how organic “works.” She founded Soil Foodweb, Inc. to help farmers all over the world grow more resilient crops. Sylvan Kaufman, PhD: Sylvan consults, writes, and teaches ecology, botany, and restoration topics. She is an adjunct professor for George Washington University and participates on the Maryland Invasive Plant Advisory Committee. Renée Kemmerer: Renée is Mt. Cuba Center’s Dogwood Path Horticulturist where she pursues her love of native plants and exploring natural communities. Lisa Kiziuk: Lisa is the Director of Bird Conservation at the Willistown Conservation Trust and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. David Korbonits: Dave is the Meadow Area Horticulturist at Mt. Cuba Center and author of The Meadow Plants at Mt. Cuba Center. He has cultivated a great interest in the interactions between native plants and the wildlife that depend upon them. Steven Kristoph: Steven is an adjunct instructor at Rutgers University with over 25 years experience. As owner and operator of the Steven Kristoph Nursery, he is passionate about plants and likes to share his passion with others. Vicky McGhee: Vicky is a skilled Tai Chi trainer having studied under many instructors and Masters. She currently teaches privately and at the TaijiQuan School in Delaware. Nedda Moqtaderi: Nedda is a historian who has conducted research on the history of the Mt. Cuba Center property. She has experience in historic preservation, oral history, archaeology, museum education, and archives. Robert Mulrooney: Bob is a former Extension Plant Pathologist from the University of Delaware. He was in charge of the Diagnostic Clinic and Nematode Assay Service and conducted educational programming in Plant Pathology.
36 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
INSTRUCTOR PROFILES Vic Piatt: Vic is the Rock Outcrop Area Horticulturist at Mt. Cuba Center and has a passion for unusual native plants that thrive in rock gardens. Kathleen Salisbury: Kathy is an experienced and award-winning horticulture educator, formerly with the New York Botanical Garden. She is co-owner of DeVosBury Designs, an ecological design and horticulture consulting firm. William “Sandy” Schenck: Sandy is the President of the Delaware Board of Professional Geologists and an assistant professor at the University of Delaware. Lou Schurter: Lou is a Natural Lands Steward at Mt. Cuba Center where he has managed both flora and fauna since 1993. Nathan Shampine: Nate is Mt. Cuba Center’s Natural Lands Manager who focuses on creating diverse landscapes. He earned a degree in Environmental and Forest Biology from The State University of New York. Margaret Shillingford: Margaret is the Education Coordinator at Mt. Cuba Center and a former docent. She is passionate about conserving the environment.
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Vincent Simeone: Vincent is an experienced lecturer, instructor, horticultural consultant, and author of five books. He is the Director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay, NY. Chris Starr: Chris is a talented photographer who has played many roles at Mt. Cuba Center since 1984. Currently he is a member of the grounds team. Derek Stoner: Derek is the Conservation Project Coordinator for the Delaware Nature Society. He manages habitat, leads environmental education programs, and is a former president of the Delmarva Ornithological Society. Douglas Tallamy, PhD: Doug is an entomology professor and the former Entomology Chair at the University of Delaware. Key among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants. William Ternay: Bill is an illustrator, painter, and art instructor. His work includes set design, children’s books, murals, portraits, and landscape paintings in a variety of mediums. Alice Waegel, PhD: Alice is a biology professor at Neumann University with over 25 years of teaching experience. She spent a sabbatical at Mt. Cuba Center identifying different native moss species and developed a moss encyclopedia. Larry Weaner: Larry has created native landscapes since 1977, earning a national reputation for combining ecological restoration with garden design traditions. He developed the American Landscape conference series in 1990 and has received numerous awards for his work. Scott Weidensaul: Scott is the author of more than two dozen books on natural history, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist Living on the Wind about bird migration. He lives in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, where he studies the migration of hawks, owls and hummingbirds. Marcie Weigelt: Marcie is the Pond Area Horticulturist at Mt. Cuba Center where she develops, maintains, and showcases our hallmark pond landscapes. She is an experienced and avid moss gardener. Donna Wiley: Donna is the horticulturist for Mt. Cuba Center’s Formal Gardens. Her expertise includes container gardening and floral arranging. Pete Zeigler: Pete is a skilled and experienced Mt. Cuba Center docent and a former teacher naturalist at the Delaware Nature Society. He is well versed in the ecology of the Piedmont region, especially its plants and animals.
38 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
PROGRAM CALENDAR August 8/22
Exhibit Opening of Exalted Nature
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Free!
8/23
Plant Disease Management
9:00 am - 3:30 pm
$90
September 9/10-10/15
Native Plants of Fall
9:00 am - 11:00 am
$180
9/11
Food and Feathers
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
$30
9/12
Sustainable Gardening Practices
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$30
9/13
Food and Feathers at the Farm
7:00 am - 11:00 am
$35
9/17
Tour for Exalted Nature
10:30 am - 3:30 pm
$40/$32
9/18 & 9/25 iPhoneography
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
$45
9/19-10/24
An Introduction to Tai Chi
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
$60
9/19
Best Native Trees and Shrubs
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$30
9/20 & 27
Inviting Wildlife Into the Garden
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
$240
9/24
Rock Gardening
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$30
9/25
The Living Landscape
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
$35
9/26
Art-In
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Free!
9/29-10/3
Painting Workshop
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
$175
10/4
Install and Maintain a Native Plant Meadow
9:30 am - 11:30 am
$30
10/9
Designing Change
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$30
10/11 & 12
Mushroom Mania
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
$250
10/18 & 19
Invasive Plants
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
$120
10/23
Native Plants for Fall Color
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$30
10/25
Fall Photography Stroll
7:00 am - 11:00 am
$20
10/25
Grow More with Less
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$35
October
November
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11/2
Your Yard, Their Home
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$35
11/7-12/19
Intermediate Tai Chi
9:30 am - 10:30 am
$60
11/7-12/19
An Introduction to Tai Chi
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
$60
11/8
Historic Ramble: Ghosts of the Past
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
$45
11/13
Fabulous Felt Creations
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
$75
December 12/4
Natural Holiday Wreaths Birds Will Love
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
$65
January 1/9-2/13
Intermediate Tai Chi
9:30 am - 10:30 am
$60
1/9-2/13
An Introduction to Tai Chi
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
$60
1/10
The Self Proliferating Garden: GAR 812
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
$35
1/20
The Self Proliferating Garden: GAR 813
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$35
1/22-2/26
Environmental Landscape Design
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
$180
1/22-2/26
Environmental Landscape Design
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
$180
February 2/7
Birds and Beans
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
$35
2/25
Shake Up Your Foundation
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$30
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$100
March 3/5-4/2
Landscape for Life
3/7, 14, 21 Introduction to Botanical Art
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
$175
3/21
Copeland Native Plant Seminar
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
$35/$25
3/22
Gardening With Deer
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
$30
3/28 & 29
Enhancing Life in the Soil
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
$240
April 4/8-5/13
Native Plants of Spring
9:00 am - 11:00 am
$180
4/11
Adventures in Moss Gardening
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
$35
36 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 39.788793
Longitude: -75.649968
Getting Here: We are a convenient drive from Philadelphia (45 minutes), Baltimore (90 minutes), Washington, D.C. (2 ½ hours), and New York City (3 hours). For detailed directions, visit mtcubacenter.org/directions From Philadelphia and New York via I-95: Take I-95 S to Wilmington; take exit 7B (Delaware Ave./Rte. 52) Follow Rte. 52 N (Pennsylvania Ave.) for 4 miles to Rte. 141 S Take Rte. 141 S approximately 1 mile to Barley Mill Rd. Turn right and proceed on Barley Mill Rd. for approximately 4 miles Entrance to Mt. Cuba Center is on your right Follow signs to Guest Parking, then proceed to Main House From New Jersey via Delaware Memorial Bridge: After crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge, follow I-95 N to Wilmington Take exit 7 (Delaware Ave./Rte. 52) See directions above from I-95 From Baltimore and Washington D.C. via I-95: Take I-95 N to Wilmington; take exit 7 (Delaware Ave./Rte. 52) See directions above from I-95 Student Information: Many classes are held outdoors. Students are encouraged to dress for weather conditions and to wear sturdy shoes as walking paths may be uneven. Sunscreen, hats, and bug spray are recommended. Due to our rolling terrain and mulched paths, the use of strollers and wheelchairs is limited. Also, programs are held rain or shine unless specified otherwise. Be advised that certain classes may be recorded and videotaped for educational or promotional activities. Please call 302.239.4244 or email education@mtcubacenter.org with questions or concerns. Payment: Payment is required upon registration. Refunds are available if registration is withdrawn at least seven days in advance of the program date. Class Cancellations: Occasionally we may cancel classes due to the weather, low enrollment, or unforeseen circumstances. Students are refunded in full. For updated information regarding closures and cancellations, call 302.239.4244 or visit mtcubacenter.org/visit/cancellations.
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REGISTRATION FORM Visit mtcubacenter.org to register online, or complete this form and return it to the address below. Please be sure to write the course title(s) and date(s). Reservation and payment are required at least seven days in advance. Course ID and Title (CON 810 Birds and Beans)
Date
Price
# of People Sub-Total
Total: Name (Please print name as it appears on credit card) Address City
State
ZIP Code
Home Phone
Work Phone
Email Address My check or money order payable to Mt. Cuba Center is enclosed. I hereby authorize use of my credit card:
VISA
MasterCard
AMEX
Account Number
Discover Exp. Date
Signature
Mail form with payment to: Mt. Cuba Center, Registrations | 3120 Barley Mill Road | Hockessin, DE 19707 For questions, call 302.239.4244 or email education@mtcubacenter.org.
42 VISIT US AT MTCUBACENTER.ORG OR CALL 302.239.4244
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