Happening this week at Mt. Cuba Center

Happening this week at Mt. Cuba Center

Walk the Natural Lands of Mt. Cuba Center (5:30-7:30, $10)

This Thursday, May 17, join Lou Schurter for a stroll around the perimeter of our 2 ½ acre rainwater pond, while watching the wildlife that surrounds it. The weather is predicted to be perfect! Bring binoculars and bug spray! We will provide bottled water.

In the Wet: Plants & Ideas for Waterscape Gardens (1-4PM, $30)

This Saturday, May 19, hear Judy Glattstein talk about waterscaping and how you can use these principles in your own yard. Learn about plant adaptations to water, choosing the right plants for the right place for sustainability, and the advantages of using natives. Dessert is included, and you'll take home a water-loving plant.

To register for these classes, visit www.mtcubacenter.org, or call 302-239-4244.

News from Mt. Cuba

A Maryland scientist recently described the change from winter to spring as "if the entire landscape goes from exhaling to inhaling." If you've spent any time outside lately, you know that spring has arrived simply by inhaling the scents around you.

Two classes coming up in April really mark the entrance of spring. "How Our Gardens Change" is a three-part lecture and garden walk series that give students a chance to experience seasonal changes in our Woods Path and Sunny Border gardens. The series starts on Friday, April 20 (10AM-12 Noon) and costs $20 per session. Trilliums of Mt. Cuba Center (Wednesday, April 25, 10 AM - 12 Noon, $20) showcases our extraordinary collection of these most iconic spring ephemeral plants. Gregg Tepper, Director of Horticulture, will be teaching both classes. To register, visit www.mtcubacenter.org, or call 302-239-4244.

I'm very excited to announce the release of the latest offering on Mt. Cuba Center Connect, our distance learning program. "The Meadow Plants of Mt. Cuba Center" is our first e-book, and is authored by Dave Korbonits, meadow horticulturist at Mt. Cuba Center. Find out how to install and maintain a meadow, then review Dave's insights on eight notable native grasses for the meadow and 35 wildflowers. The full price of the e-book is $25. However, use the promo code "grasses" during the purchase process, and you'll pay the discount price of just $20.

Finally, mark your calendar for our not-to-be-missed Annual Wildflower Celebration. Sunday, April 29, 10AM-4PM is the date and time. It's our yearly celebration of spring and this year should be really interesting. We're finding plant combinations never seen before due to the unusual weather patterns.

As always, and especially during this unusual spring of 2012, I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you, both onsite and online.

Sincerely,

Eileen Boyle

Director of Education & Research

Mt. Cuba Center

Hockessin, DE. The 8^th Annual Wildflower Celebration at Mt. Cuba Center will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 10AM to 4 PM in the gardens at 3120 Barley Mill Road near Hockessin, DE. This is a once-a-year opportunity for family and friends to stroll the grounds at their leisure, chat with the staff about their favorite garden topics, and enter a drawing for a one-of-a-kind plant grown at Mt. Cuba Center’s greenhouses. The “Wildflower Challenge” offers visitors the chance to win 2-for-1 discounts on Mt. Cuba Center tour tickets. Admission and parking are free. All parking is located at Red Clay Reservation off Old Wilmington Road. Visitors may take a shuttle bus or walk to the gardens from the parking area. Please note: the gardens are not wheelchair or stroller accessible and pets are not permitted. The parking area closes at 3:30 PM. For more information about the event, visit www.mtcubacenter.org.

The family-friendly adventure, “The Journey from Caterpillar to Butterfly,” returns with station-to-station activities. Learn about caterpillars and what they eat, who eats them, and finally, see what butterfly they become. To highlight the journey, “Annie Hickman’s Butterfly Parade” will meander through the garden, inviting guests to join in them in celebration of the beautiful spring scenery. New this year, learn about native raptors at Mt. Cuba Center and watch them soar in free-flight demonstrations.

For more information about the Eighth Annual Wildflower Celebration, visit www.mtcubacenter.org, or call 302-239-4244.

The Garden Class of The Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan Flower Show

The Garden Class of The Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan will be presenting a Standard Flower Show entitled

'JOBS'

 on May 24, 2012

at the       

Historic Uwchlan Meeting House

ROUTES 100 AND 113

LIONVILLE, PA 19353

The flower show will be free to the public

Hours are 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. 

For more information or a copy of the schedule, contact Anne Howe, 610-458-5291.

GARDEN CLASS OF THE WOMAN’S COMMUNITY CLUB OF UWCHLAN PLANT SALE

GARDEN CLASS OF THE WOMAN’S COMMUNITY CLUB OF UWCHLAN

PLANT SALE

SATURDAY, MAY 5TH

8:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.

1756 UWCHLAN MEETING HOUSE

ROUTES 100 AND 113

LIONVILLE, PA

Come early for the best selection of member grown perennials, native plants, shrubs and trees (some are deer resistant).
We’re also offering local herbs, vegetables, select annuals, container gardens and more! Our experienced gardeners will help solve your garden problems.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the historic Uwchlan Meeting House. For further information, contact Mary Jo Schlomann, 610-269-8450.

Mt. Cuba News

Dear gardening friends,

Thanks to Mother Nature, spring seems to have arrived rather early this year. The warm temperatures have drawn out early blooms and the smell of the season is in the air. What are you seeing in your garden right now?

Please check your mailboxes this week to see our Spring-Summer 2012 Program Guide. There are many new classes to enjoy - everything from field trips to art classes to always popular hands-on workshops. Jack Hubley, tv personality from Lancaster, PA, and Judy Glattstein, author of several gardening books, will be making guest appearances here and we hope to see you too.

Mark your calendars for two very special events coming up in the next few months. The Eighth Annual Wildflower Celebration is Sunday, April 29, from 10AM to 4PM here in our glorious gardens - as always, admission is free. On Friday, May 11, Mt. Cuba Center will be open from 10AM to 3 PM in honor of National Public Gardens Day. Admission is free, free-strolling is encouraged, plus there will be plant giveaways and family fun activities. Two chances this spring to see Mt. Cuba Center in all of our spring time beauty!

For more information and to register for tours and classes, visit www.mtcubacenter.org, or call 302-239-4244. As always, whether it's onsite or online, I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you.

Sincerely,

Eileen Boyle

Director of Education & Research

SPADE AND TROWEL CLUB CATCHES A WAVE FOR

Hawaii: Islands of Aloha, theme of the 2012 Philadelphia International Flower Show, inspires the creativity and imagination of local garden club members putting finishing touches on their upscale Store Window, a Competitive Class exhibit.

 A switch for these ladies (and gents) who usually choose an exhibit demonstrating their landscape design expertise, Spade and Trowel Club’s display which they titled “Here’s Looking at You” features window dressing for an eyewear and accessories boutique and requires decorative use of fresh flowers to tell the story. The class, “Ala Moana Boulevard,” will be judged on Saturday March 3 and again on Wednesday March 7.

 Co-chairs Sharon Small, Margaret Hennes and Jane Owen, all of Kennett Square, and their energetic committee have been meeting since May of 2011 to develop the plan for this exhibit. Other contributors are Alice Bucher, Tala Graham, Sandy Yeatman, Jackie Blake, Ann Bryce, Caryn Hetherston, Edythe Joines, Gerrie Lunger, Nancy Olson, Kurt Wolter, Suzanne Pusey, Kris Qualls, Jon Olson and Rod Ellingsworth.

 Jane Owen and Tala Graham of Kennett Square ‘s Spade and Trowel Club

admire Tillandsia (air plants) and Orchids at Waldor Orchids in Linwood NJ.            

The Flower Show opens March 3 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia for members of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and March 4-11 for the general public. Go to www.theflowershow.com for more information.  The new FlowerShow app for smartphones, available on or about February 20, provides maps, calendar of events and schedules of performances, lectures and demonstrations, lists of exhibitors and vendors and much more.