Tour
Mt. Cuba
Center

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Entrance Garden

Take a drive through the Entrance Garden. The gate–hand-forged and incorporating motifs of native plants–stands as a declaration of what lies beyond, while the Entrance Garden dazzles with masses of stunning plants. The Entrance Garden is not open for visitation.

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Peachie’s Pick Stokes’ Aster
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Scree Garden
Rock Outcrop
Peachie’s Pick Stokes’ Aster
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Scree Garden
Rock Outcrop

Copeland House

Mr. and Mrs. Lammot du Pont Copeland completed their Colonial Revival-style house and began establishing formal gardens in 1937.

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Oakleaf Hydrangea
Mountain Laurel
Little Goldstar Black-eyed Susan
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Mountain Laurel
Little Goldstar Black-eyed Susan

Formal Garden

The Formal Gardens surround the colonial revival-style Copeland House and feature a colorful display of plants, laid out with the symmetry and geometry that are characteristic of formal garden design.

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Button Snakeroot
Butterfly Weed
Large flowered Magnolia
Round Garden
Button Snakeroot
Butterfly Weed
Large flowered Magnolia
Round Garden

Trial Garden

In our 15,000-square foot Trial Garden, we conduct research on native plants, evaluating them for beauty, ecological benefits, and pest resistance. Species and cultivars of a selected plant are grown side-by-side, allowing our researchers to develop unbiased results and highlight plants best suited for the mid-Atlantic region.

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Trial 2015-2017
Trial 2012-2015
Trial 2014-2016
Trial 2015-2017
Trial 2012-2015
Trial 2014-2016

West Slope

Appearing and disappearing from sight, the West Slope Path curves downhill and emerges slowly through an alluring mix of evergreen and deciduous trees. The path curves past vignettes of dense woodland and intricate tapestries of native perennials. The bottom of the path extends through a veil of evergreens, leading to the Ponds.

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Witches' Broom
Northern Maidenhair Fern
Southern Maidenhair Fern
Witches' Broom
Northern Maidenhair Fern
Southern Maidenhair Fern

Ponds

The iconic beauty of our Ponds offers a serene environment for reflection, contemplation, and inspiration. A series of ponds are surrounded by plants that thrive in wet soils and are home to a startling abundance of wildlife. A small bog garden displays carnivorous plants and native orchids.

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Virginia Meadow Beauty
Plumleaf Azalea
Sweet-Scented Joe-Pye Weed
Cardinal Flower
Virginia Meadow Beauty
Plumleaf Azalea
Sweet-Scented Joe-Pye Weed
Cardinal Flower

Dogwood Path

Dogwoods frame the lush moss bank on this meandering pathway, where woodland and meadow plants intermingle at the forest edge. The path provides occasional views of distant garden areas as well as sections of secluded woods. The Dogwood Path is abundant in spring blooms, radiant summer greens, and rich autumn hues.

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Oakleaf Hydrangea
Indian Pink
Joe-Pye Weed
Moss Bank
Spike Gayfeather
St. John's Wort
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Indian Pink
Joe-Pye Weed
Moss Bank
Spike Gayfeather
St. John's Wort

Meadow

The Meadow showcases plants found in open sunny spaces and along woodland edges. Intimate paths cut through swaying native grasses, which form the canvas for a constantly changing collection of beautiful wildflowers. These grasses and flowering plants provide food and shelter for multitudes of wildlife and attract a variety of pollinators.

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Spike Gayfeather
Black-eyed Susan
Big Umbrella Sweet-Scented Joe-Pye Weed
Spike Gayfeather
Black-eyed Susan
Big Umbrella Sweet-Scented Joe-Pye Weed

Woods Path

This awe-inspiring space is filled with colorful spring ephemerals planted below towering tulip trees. Native woodland plants form distinctive layers leading one’s gaze upward to the cathedral-like canopy. The Woods Path fulfills the wishes of Mrs. Copeland to have visitors “look up as well as down.”

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Summer Sweet Clethra
Lilies
Nodding Onion
Tulip tree
Summer Sweet Clethra
Lilies
Nodding Onion
Tulip tree