HOURS
Thanks for a great year! Mt. Cuba Center is closed for general admission for the season and will reopen on April 3, 2024.
Program Guide
Classes offered year-round. Learn to garden in harmony with nature, take an art or wellness class, and more!
Trial Garden
Mt. Cuba Center evaluates native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value.
Ecological Land Management
Mt. Cuba conserves and stewards more than 1,000 acres including meadows, forests, streams and riparian corridors.
MEMBERSHIP
Enjoy unlimited general admission, member discounts, guest passes, and more!
HOURS
Thanks for a great year! Mt. Cuba Center is closed for general admission for the season and will reopen on April 3, 2024.
Program Guide
Classes offered year-round. Learn to garden in harmony with nature, take an art or wellness class, and more!
Trial Garden
Mt. Cuba Center evaluates native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value.
Ecological Land Management
Mt. Cuba conserves and stewards more than 1,000 acres including meadows, forests, streams and riparian corridors.
MEMBERSHIP
Enjoy unlimited general admission, member discounts, guest passes, and more!
Upcoming
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Calendar of Events
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Milkweed for Monarchs
Milkweed for Monarchs
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. […]
$29
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Hydrangeas for Every Garden
Hydrangeas for Every Garden
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. […]
$39
1 event,
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The Feel of Trees
The Feel of Trees
Through the month of June, we will be hosting special sessions of Story Time Sprouts! Join us for tree-themed stories, including “We Planted a Tree,” this year’s choice for Longwood Garden’s Community Read. After the read-aloud, take part in a hands-on activity to explore the different types of bark, wood, leaves, and fruit of our […]
Included with Admission
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1 event,
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Story Time Sprouts
Story Time Sprouts
Get lost in a book in Mt. Cuba’s gardens. Families are invited on Thursday mornings to listen to stories from nature-themed children’s books intended for children ages five and under. Story Time Sprouts typically takes place outside in Bluey’s Woods. This program will be moved indoors in cases of inclement weather. We recommend bringing a […]
Included with Admission
0 events,
3 events,
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Hydrangeas for Every Garden
Hydrangeas for Every Garden
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. […]
$39
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Garden Enthusiast Tour
Garden Enthusiast Tour
Take an in-depth look at our gardens with a friendly Educator. Discover how to contribute to ecological transformation in your community through 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 and is […]
$19
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Compost, Plant Diseases, and Perennial Care
Compost, Plant Diseases, and Perennial Care
Mid-summer often brings plants problems and pests – learn to identify what is normal, what is a concern, and what can be done to address issues. Find out how to perform mid-season pruning and how to turn those plant debris into great compost. This program takes place in-person (at Mt. Cuba Center) Saturday, July 9 […]
$19
2 events,
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Pond-in-a-Pot Container Garden: Section A
Pond-in-a-Pot Container Garden: Section A
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. Kelly Billing, coauthor of The Water Gardener’s Bible and The Lotus: Know It and Grow It, demonstrates how you can turn just about anything […]
$29
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Pond-in-a-Pot Container Garden: Section B
Pond-in-a-Pot Container Garden: Section B
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. Kelly Billing, coauthor of The Water Gardener’s Bible and The Lotus: Know It and Grow It, demonstrates how you can turn just about anything […]
$29
0 events,
1 event,
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Drawing Monarchs and Milkweed (Online)
Drawing Monarchs and Milkweed (Online)
This two-day workshop focuses on capturing, on paper, the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), its lifecycle, and symbiotic relationship to its host plant, milkweed (Asclepias spp). Learn to draw basic butterfly anatomy and wing positioning to depict flight. Understand basic metamorphosis and how the butterfly interacts in the pollination process. Color application can be in watercolor […]
$85
1 event,
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Dragonflies: Aerial Acrobats
Dragonflies: Aerial Acrobats
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. Dr. Hal White, author of Natural History of Delmarva Dragonflies and Damselflies, presents a detailed examination of the habitats […]
$29
3 events,
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T’ai Chi Chih: Guided Practice
T’ai Chi Chih: Guided Practice
For those who have completed the introductory level class, guided practice is an ideal way to gain even greater physical and mental health benefits through closer examination and refinement of T’ai Chi Chih's 20 simple movements. Instruction is very flexible, addressing the needs of individual students while sharing the experience of fellow practitioners. Comfortable clothing […]
$100
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Ecological Explorations: Pycnanthemum
Ecological Explorations: Pycnanthemum
Every three years, Mt. Cuba starts a new research project in our Trial Garden. From asters to iron weed, plant groups are brought together for observation and study. But how is such a group amassed? Join Amy Highland, our Director of Collections and Conservation Lead, as she recounts her expeditions gathering mountain mints (Pycnanthemum spp.) […]
$29
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Story Time Sprouts
Story Time Sprouts
Get lost in a book in Mt. Cuba’s gardens. Families are invited on Thursday mornings to listen to stories from nature-themed children’s books intended for children ages five and under. Story Time Sprouts typically takes place outside in Bluey’s Woods. This program will be moved indoors in cases of inclement weather. We recommend bringing a […]
Included with Admission
1 event,
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Twilight on the Terrace
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. Local food trucks will be on-site, and beer and wine will be available for purchase. For more details, visit mtcubacenter.org/twilight. Music: Lauren and the Homewreckers (Rock) Food Trucks: Albie’s & Mojo Loco This program takes place […]
Included with Admission
3 events,
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Planting for Specialist Pollinators
Planting for Specialist Pollinators
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. Join Leah Brooks as she presents a variety of native perennials and the specialist pollinators that depend […]
$29.00
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Family Yoga
Family Yoga
Join local family-friendly yoga practice Petite Yogi for an outdoor yoga session in our South Garden! From beginners to experienced yogis, children ages 4 and up with an adult are invited to take this exciting yoga class designed to strengthen family bonds. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats. This program takes place in-person […]
Included with Admission
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Kids Create
Kids Create
Please note, this event has been rescheduled for July 16. Join us for an afternoon of nature, art-making and fun! Mt. Cuba Center partners with award-winning folk artist, Eunice LaFate, to lead a unique children’s art program in our gardens. Kids will create a mural from natural materials and go home with their very own […]
Included with Admission
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2 events,
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Creating a Backyard Meadow Garden
Creating a Backyard Meadow Garden
Have you ever thought of transforming a portion of lawn or formal garden into a meadow? Diverse plantings of native flowers and grasses not only provide a beautiful escape from an urban concrete jungle, but also provide a valuable patchwork habitat for wildlife. This class covers the basics of creating a naturalized meadow garden—how to […]
$35
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Instant Hummingbird Garden
Instant Hummingbird Garden
Transform your yard into a haven for hummingbirds with a great selection of native wildflowers. Learn how to create a garden with the 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. […]
$59
2 events,
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Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management
Every garden is home to a host of life. Unfortunately, some of the six- and eight- legged inhabitants are detrimental to the health and survival of plants. Learn how to manage insect pests in your garden using a sustainable “toolbox” approach. Focus on integrated pest management techniques as well as the identification of both harmful […]
$229.00
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Story Time Sprouts
Story Time Sprouts
Get lost in a book in Mt. Cuba’s gardens. Families are invited on Thursday mornings to listen to stories from nature-themed children’s books intended for children ages five and under. Story Time Sprouts typically takes place outside in Bluey’s Woods. This program will be moved indoors in cases of inclement weather. We recommend bringing a […]
Included with Admission
0 events,
3 events,
-
Family Yoga
Family Yoga
Join local family-friendly yoga practice Petite Yogi for an outdoor yoga session in our South Garden! From beginners to experienced yogis, children ages 4 and up with an adult are invited to take this exciting yoga class designed to strengthen family bonds. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats. This program takes place in-person […]
Included with Admission
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Leaf Casting Workshop: Section A
Leaf Casting Workshop: Section A
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. It’s sure to add a new dimension to your backyard retreat. Wear old clothes and bring a […]
$39
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Leaf Casting Workshop: Section B
Leaf Casting Workshop: Section B
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. It’s sure to add a new dimension to your backyard retreat. Wear old clothes and bring a […]
$39
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0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
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Fun with Botanical Watercolor
Fun with Botanical Watercolor
This class is SOLD OUT. Please join the waitlist by visiting the button below. Charge up your creativity in this innovative and fun class! Use fresh specimens from the garden as a source of inspiration to develop fundamental watercolor painting skills. Learn paintbrush usage, color mixing, subject matter selection, and color application while finding your […]
$109
1 event,
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Story Time Sprouts
Story Time Sprouts
Get lost in a book in Mt. Cuba’s gardens. Families are invited on Thursday mornings to listen to stories from nature-themed children’s books intended for children ages five and under. Story Time Sprouts typically takes place outside in Bluey’s Woods. This program will be moved indoors in cases of inclement weather. We recommend bringing a […]
Included with Admission
0 events,
2 events,
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Field Trip: Exploring Native Orchids
Field Trip: Exploring Native Orchids
The Pine Barrens are not so barren after all. Orchid specialist Bob Sprague provides an extraordinary, up-close look at native orchids in their natural habitat. Explore unique sites in the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve to see these gems as well as their botanical companions, including sphagnum moss, pitcher plants, cranberries, pitch pines, and other […]
$85
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Birds in Action: Owls of the World
Birds in Action: Owls of the World
*This program has been cancelled as of July 29, 2022. Be amazed by live birds in action and join us for an outdoor bird show in the gardens! Mt. Cuba partners with Animal Behavior & Conservation Connections to showcase the natural behaviors of different species of owls. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to spread […]
Included with General Admission
0 events,
1 event,
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Plant Disease Management
Plant Disease Management
Gardening with nature requires knowledge of the various pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and viruses that affect native plants and the environmental conditions that lead to infection. Become your own plant health detective and learn the signs and symptoms of the most common plant diseases in our landscapes. Study disease life cycles and discuss management strategies for […]
$169
1 event,
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Story Time Sprouts
Story Time Sprouts
Get lost in a book in Mt. Cuba’s gardens. Families are invited on Thursday mornings to listen to stories from nature-themed children’s books intended for children ages five and under. Story Time Sprouts typically takes place outside in Bluey’s Woods. This program will be moved indoors in cases of inclement weather. We recommend bringing a […]
Included with Admission
2 events,
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Planning a Multi-Season Garden
Planning a Multi-Season Garden
The dog-days of summer are a great time for evening walks in the garden and to plan for future outdoor spaces. In this class you will discover the steps to take in designing a new all-season garden that incorporates your existing landscape features and delivers year-long interest for both you and wildlife. This program takes […]
$19
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Tree Maintenance: Tricks of the Trade
Tree Maintenance: Tricks of the Trade
Join Mt. Cuba’s ISA Certified Arborists®, Scott Kelly and Bill Trescott, for an outdoor workshop to learn insider tricks for practical tree and landscape care. Topics include protecting your trees from lightning, battery vs. gas power tools, deer protection (caging, staking, etc.), demystifying tree cabling, useful knots for the homeowner, basic tree risk assessment skills, […]
$35