Join Lynn Randle and the Conservation Landscaping Class for a Field Trip to the Mt. Cuba Center for a guided tour of their famous gardens, followed by a private class. You’ll have time to look around the gardens on your own, and enjoy a bring-your-own picnic among the flowers. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Mt. Cuba Center is a non-profit botanical garden located in Hockessin, Delaware, near Wilmington, in the gently rolling hills of the Delaware Piedmont. Its woodland gardens produce some of the most spectacular displays of wildflowers in the mid-Atlantic region. They are famous for their native plant gardens and their research.
We are opening this special field trip up for gardeners throughout Talbot County who are interested in learning more about native plants.
What to Expect:
9 am: Depart Easton for Mt Cuba (10:30 am arrival at Mt Cuba)
11 am: Welcome Walk (1 hr) This private walk lasts about one hour and brings Mt. Cuba Center’s mission of inspiring an appreciation for the beauty and value of native plants to life. This tour is perfect for those who wish to learn more about the history of our gardens, native plants, and conservation tips that can be applied at home.
12 pm: BYO Picnic on the Grounds
1 pm: Lecture: Beautiful Native Plants Year-Round with Leah Brooks (1 hr) Learn about a variety of wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and vines that are ideal for home gardens and provide color, texture, ecological services, and seasonal interest all year long. Native plants fit beautifully into the landscape because they are already adapted to our local growing conditions. Leah Brooks is Mt. Cuba Center’s Public Programs Assistant. She is a University of Delaware graduate with dual bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Science and Wildlife Ecology. Her passion is sharing the joy of nature and native gardening with others.
2 pm: Free time to explore further
3 pm: Depart Mt. Cuba for Easton (4:30 pm arrival in Easton)
Please note: The formal gardens have brick paths with multiple sets of a few steps. For more information about garden accessibility, please see https://mtcubacenter.org/visit/accessibility/. If you have mobility issues, please advise the course leader, Lynn Randle. Mt. Cuba can provide transportation via a golf cart (driven by Mt. Cuba Center Staff) from a point along the tour route to the pond area at the bottom of the hill to reconnect with the tour group. The golf cart can carry seven passengers at a time.
We have had to pay in advance for admission, the tour, and lecture. Tours take place rain or shine. No refunds will be provided. Please dress accordingly and remember to bring lunch and water.
Feedback from our last trip to Mt. Cuba:
“Beautiful, interesting and educational. Nice group of people on the tours. Guide was excellent!”
“Thank you, Chesapeake Forum, for providing this opportunity for our group of Mid-Shore native plant enthusiasts to be inspired by this gem of a garden.”
“Wonderful day trip to a beautiful and educational location! A great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy time spent with others with a similar interest. More of this!”
