Help your garden reach new heights with native vines! Whether scrambling over a split rail fence or cascading from a rustic arbor, vines provide depth, structure, and visual interest to a garden. Learn how to use and grow ten native species that enhance the ecological value of the landscape by providing shelter, food, and nectar […]

This month, discover the best ways to support wildlife in your garden and which plants provide the pest pollinator habitat. Learn how to identify the most common butterflies, bees, and bad bugs that you will see in your garden this summer. This program takes place in-person (at Mt. Cuba Center) Saturday, June 4 About the […]

By planting native species, a typical suburban lot can be transformed into a safe haven for local fauna. However, wildlife value is not equal across all native plants. Join Leah Brooks as she discusses how to choose native plant compositions that will maximize the wildlife value of your small space. From blueberry to goldenrod, explore […]

**This class is SOLD OUT. Please join the waitlist by visiting the event link below. You need colorful containers in the summer that can take the heat and still look great. Susan Dixon, Perennial Plant Buyer and Department Manager at Gateway Garden Center, begins with design considerations, plant selection, soil basics, and weekly maintenance tips. […]

Make your garden a haven for hummingbirds with a great selection of native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. Learn their fascinating life cycle, and how to create a garden with the ideal habitats, nesting requirements, and food sources that attract these stunning creatures from summer through fall. This program takes place in-person (at Mt. Cuba Center) […]

Although trees often perform quite well without intervention, pruning is performed by arborists to address safety issues and to improve structure, health, and appearance. Join Scott Kelley and Bill Trescott, Mt. Cuba’s ISA Certified Arborists®, for a discussion of pruning equipment and a demonstration of professional pruning techniques. Students are encouraged to share their own […]

Attracting butterflies to your yard is a great way to increase the ecological value of your property and connect with the natural world. Serah Pesce, Assistant Horticulturist at Mt. Cuba, discusses plants that provide food for adult butterflies and their caterpillars and how to create suitable habitats for these ephemeral beauties. Take home five floriferous […]

Getting lawn and plants to grow under trees can seem like an impossible feat. There are so many issues—dry soils, tons of roots, dense shade, and more. Learn which plants are best suited to your trees and conditions, and how to successfully get them established. This new class lead by horticulturist and certified arborist Lucy […]

From garden to glass, this well-loved spirit has evolved from a herbal medicine to a staple behind the bar. Originating in the Middle Ages and popularized during the reign of King William III, gin derives its predominant flavor from juniper berries. Today, gin is produced in subtly different ways, giving rise to a number of […]

Develop a backyard ideal for a diversity of birds by planting a variety of native plants that provide food and habitat. Learn which plants and shrubs are the best for our local feathered friends and how to create a year-round bird oasis in your backyard, regardless of the size. This program takes place in-person (at […]

Without native milkweed plants, monarch butterflies cannot survive and reproduce. Renée Kemmerer, Mt. Cuba Center Horticulturist, opens a window into the world of milkweeds, presenting many of our native species and related plants that help to create a beneficial butterfly environment. A walk through our meadow and surrounding gardens will highlight milkweeds that thrive locally. […]

Wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a hardy and adaptable native shrub with tremendous horticultural and ecological value. Their abundant white to pink blooms, produced from June to July, are both eye-catching and attract a wide range of vitally important pollinators. Sam Hoadley, Manager of Horticultural Research, delves into the top-performing species and cultivars in Mt. […]