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Instructors: Sam HoadleyPycnanthemum, commonly known as mountain-mint, is a powerhouse native perennial prized for its aromatic foliage, long bloom season, and exceptional value to pollinators. Join gardeners and plant enthusiast of all levels as Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba’s manager of horticultural research, guides you through this first look at the three-year Pycnanthemum trial and highlights top-performing species that make beautiful, resilient, and ecologically valuable additions to Mid-Atlantic gardens. Sam will lead you through the trial rows, sharing data on which varieties are outperforming the rest in habit, bloom density, and resilience. This isn’t just a tour—it’s a rare opportunity to see active horticultural research through the eyes of the expert leading it.
Register now to discover why mountain-mints deserve a place in your garden. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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8/20/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Destiny MannRoughly 1/3 of the food we produce ends up in a landfill. Learn how to fight food waste using the black soldier fly! These incredible insects eat spoiled food and produce two amazing outputs: protein-packed larvae to feed animals and frass (insect poop) to supercharge your soil. Compared to traditional methods, composting with black soldier flies offers a much faster decomposition process, boosts beneficial microbes, and can handle a wider variety of waste, including meat and dairy. This class covers their fascinating biology and gives you the resources you need to decide if a black soldier fly setup is right for your home or farm. Class will include a demonstration of the set up so you will have all you need to get started.
Your registration fee covers both the class and your admission to the garden.
Online-only attendance is also available for this class, click here to learn more and to register. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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8/20/2026 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
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Instructors: Michael Blacketer, PhDWhether you're envisioning a full garden transformation or designing a new planting area, join seasoned landscape designer Michael Blacketer to explore the core principles of ecological garden design. This course will guide you through how to read local plant communities, understand site conditions, and make thoughtful choices that reduce long-term maintenance challenges.
With a strong focus on planting design, you’ll learn how to assess soil and light conditions, plan bed layouts, and select plant combinations that thrive together. Throughout the class, you’ll have the opportunity to experiment with materials and design concepts under Michael’s supportive guidance, gaining confidence in creating resilient, ecologically aligned garden spaces. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $59 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $53.10
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8/21/2026 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
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Instructors: Lucy DinsmoreDiscover simple, practical changes to create a more resilient garden in a changing climate—while helping to protect the health of your local watershed. This introductory class is designed for anyone curious about sustainable gardening, especially those who want to understand how water moves through their landscape and how to make the most of it.
You’ll learn how to use every day gardening techniques to slow, spread, and sink rainwater, reducing runoff and easing the burden on stormwater systems. We’ll explore strategies such as improving soil health, choosing climate- adapted plants, and reshaping small areas of your yard to better manage water.
A special focus will be placed on rain gardens—shallow, beautifully planted depressions that capture stormwater and allow it to soak into the ground.
What you’ll learn:
• What makes a good rain garden site
• How to select appropriate plants
• How these features can support pollinators while filtering pollutants before they reach local streams
By the end of the class, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to keep more rain on your property, reduce erosion, and create a garden that works in harmony with natural systems. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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8/29/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Leah BrooksFall is one of the best times to plant for lasting garden impact. Designed for gardeners of all levels, this class helps you build a garden that performs beautifully in autumn and beyond. This class includes a walk with instructor Leah Brooks, where you’ll explore native perennials that bring color, texture, and ecological value to fall landscapes.
You’ll learn practical garden knowledge, including:
- The best native perennials for standout fall interest
- How asters, ferns, sedges, and other plants add seasonal texture and color
- Why fall planting helps roots establish before summer stress
- Simple ways to design a more dynamic, wildlife-friendly autumn garden
- Plant combinations you can use at home right away
You’ll leave with a fall planting list and design ideas ready for your own garden. Ready to make your garden the star of autumn, register now. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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9/2/2026 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
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Instructors: Serah Pesce, Susan WozniakThis class takes place at:
Heritage
A Native Plant Nursery
25141 Lewes Georgetown Hwy
Georgetown DE 19947
https://www.heritagenativeplantnursery.com/
Ready to turn your ecological knowledge into reality? If you know which native plants thrive in our area but aren’t quite sure how to arrange them in your yard, this class is your next step. We are taking the guesswork out of landscaping by moving from theory to direct action.
In this session, we will start with a curated collection of ready-to-use garden selections featuring our region's top-performing native plants. You will learn how to group these plants based on their shared light, water, and soil requirements, as well as their natural sociability. By understanding how these species interact and support one another, you will learn how to adapt these proven plant combinations into a cohesive, thriving palette for your own backyard.
What You Will Achieve:
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Explore Living Frameworks: Work with pre-arranged design combinations featuring top-performing native and keystone plants, tailored for specific yard conditions (like dry shade, sunny borders, or low spots).
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Customize for Your Space: Learn how to scale, replicate, and adapt these foundational layouts to match your personal style and property boundaries.
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Layer with Purpose: Understand how to arrange plants by height, bloom succession, and root depth so your garden looks stunning in every season while maximizing wildlife habitat.
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Create an Action Plan: Leave with a clear, step-by-step roadmap for prepping your soil, spacing your plants, and bringing your vision to life with confidence.
Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $49 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $44.10
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9/10/2026 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Lucy DinsmoreTransform underused lawn into vibrant, functional habitat. A smaller lawn can mean less maintenance, more beauty, and a healthier ecosystem. Designed for homeowners and gardeners of all levels who want to create landscapes that are aesthetically pleasing and beneficial to nature. This class shows you how to replace traditional turf with thriving native plantings that work with your site.
Through real-world before-and-after examples, you’ll explore how sunny slopes, wet spots, shady edges, and other common yard challenges can be transformed into functional, attractive landscapes.
Practical learning you receive throughout the class includes:
- How reducing lawn improves stormwater management and biodiversity
- Which native plants work best for sun, shade, slopes, and wet areas how they influence your plant selection and design decisions
- How to choose the best areas of your yard to convert first
- Step-by-step strategies for removing turf and phasing projects over time
- Design ideas for layered plantings that support pollinators and wildlife
- Common mistakes made in lawn-to-native conversions, and the practical ways to avoid them
This class includes a guided walk through the Mt. Cuba gardens with Lucy, who will highlight lawn areas that have been converted into garden beds or 'soft landings’. By the end of class, using planning templates and plant list shared, you’ll have created a step-by-step plan for converting lawn into native planting areas. Start reimagining your lawn as living habitat; register now. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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9/11/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Leah BrooksNon-native invasive plants, like multiflora rose and Asiatic bittersweet, damage our environment by invading natural areas and outcompeting native plants. Join instructor Leah Brooks as she discusses how to properly remove and manage common invasive species that pop-up in home gardens. This workshop includes a lecture as well as a guided outdoor component. Wear comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes and bring your garden gloves.
🥬Create an action plan for your space, including the recommended order in which to remove invasive species to save you time and effort.
🥬Venture into the grounds of Mt. Cuba Center to identify and become familiar with common invasive species
🥬Gain hands-on experience with the tools and techniques of invasive removal Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $59 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $53.10
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9/24/2026 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
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Instructors: Nancy BellWhat plants can tolerate constantly wet areas, or clay soil, or relentless sun, or deep shade? Turn problem areas into thriving garden spaces. Designed for gardeners of all levels, this class shows you how to select native plants for your most challenging conditions.
You will learn how to:
- Select native plants for difficult site conditions
- Solve wet, dry, sunny, and shady garden problems
- Build a reliable plant list for tough areas
This class includes a walk through the Mt. Cuba gardens with Nancy noting areas when plants provided solutions to garden challenges. Leave with a list of plants to help solve the difficult site dilemmas that you may have!
Register to learn how to solve difficult garden site conditions with native plants. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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9/26/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Jessica ShahanGrowing a living bird feeder is an excellent way to attract birds and enjoy them right in your own yard. Discover how to create a vibrant, landscaped habitat that emphasizes species diversity, seasonality, garden design elements, and the vital role your garden plays in a broader regional context.
In this class, you can expect:
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Guided Habitat Tour: The class will begin with a tour of the gardens to observe habitat structure, plant diversity, and seasonal changes firsthand, with the hope of catching birds at their peak activity level.
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Design Workshop: We will conclude with a hands-on exercise focused on designing custom gardens tailored to specific groups of birds.
Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a budding bird enthusiast, you will leave with the practical design skills needed to transform your yard into a thriving sanctuary. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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10/3/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Nancy BellSmall trees can do big work in your landscape. Designed for gardeners of all levels, this class shows you how to use smaller native trees to bring structure, flow, and seasonal interest to your yard. You will learn about 15 locally adapted and commercially available species that can be used on their own or combined with shrubs to create a smooth transition between the lawn and taller trees.
During the class you will:
- Identify small native species that are suited to our local landscapes.
- Learn how these trees can bridge lawn, shrub, and canopy layers.
- Understand how small trees can add structure, seasonal interest, and habitat value.
You’ll leave with a curated list of small trees that can be incorporated into your landscape.
Register now to gain expert insights on locally adapted and commercially available small tree species. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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10/3/2026 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
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Instructors: Leah BrooksYour winter garden can be both beautiful and biologically essential. Join instructor Leah Brooks to discover how natural garden features like seed heads, structured brush piles, fallen leaves, and native shrubs provide critical winter habitat for birds and beneficial insects. The class includes a guided garden walk with Leah.
During the class you will:
- Master the art of layering brush piles and roost boxes so they blend seamlessly into your existing garden layout.
- Discover how to utilize fallen leaves to protect overwintering pollinators while maintaining clean lawn edges and crisp garden borders.
- Explore high-impact native shrubs and perennial seed heads that feed wildlife and offer gorgeous winter interest and texture.
- Gain practical techniques to transform your backyard into a vital ecological refuge during the coldest months of the year.
This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Online-only attendance is also available for this class, click here to learn more and to register. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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This program has no availability
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Instructors: Nancy BellBring your landscape to life with native shrubs that do more than fill space. Designed for gardeners of all levels, this class highlights underused native shrubs that add structure, beauty, and ecological value. From pagoda dogwood and gray dogwood to chokeberries and viburnums, you’ll learn how these lesser-known and truly garden-worthy plants support birds while strengthening garden design across all site conditions.
During the class you will:
- Identify lesser-known native shrubs and small trees.
- Identify plants best for sun, shade, wet, and dry sites.
- Learn how these plants support birds with food and habitat value.
- Discover how you can use these plants to add structure and seasonal interest to your landscape.
This class includes a guided garden walk highlighting plants in use. You’ll leave with a plant list and placement ideas for your home landscape. Register to discover native shrubs that can bring your garden to life. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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10/10/2026 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
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Instructors: Leah BlantonBeautiful, versatile, and important for wildlife, native grasses are pillars of the naturalistic garden. Designed for gardeners of all levels, this class will help you integrate grasses with greater confidence. You’ll discover which native grass species offer the most garden value and utility, how to combine them with other plants, and the key design principles that increase their impact in the landscape.
During the class you will:
- Choose native grasses for beauty, habitat value, and performance.
- Pair grasses with perennials and shrubs for naturalistic design in large gardens, small beds, and mixed plantings.
- Add texture, movement, and year-round interest to your landscape.
- Apply key design strategies that maximize visual and ecological impact.
This class includes a guided walk through the gardens highlighting Mt Cuba’s various integrations of grasses. You’ll walk away with plant ideas, design inspiration, and the confidence to use native grasses more effectively at home. Register now to start your native grasses garden integration. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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10/17/2026 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
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Instructors: Lindsey LabanHarvesting seeds is one of the most cost-efficient and rewarding ways to expand your garden. In this hands-on workshop, you will master the best techniques for collecting, cleaning, and storing seeds produced by native trees, shrubs, and perennials.
In this class, you can expect:
Guided by an Expert Conservator: The session begins with a lecture led by Lindsey Laban, Mt. Cuba Center’s Conservation Propagator. Lindsey spends her days propagating plants for Mt. Cuba’s gardens, natural lands, and elite conservation partners.
Hands-on in the Gardens: Following the lecture, you will head out into Mt. Cuba's living collections for an interactive seed-collecting session. Under Lindsey's expert guidance, you will practice proper harvesting techniques firsthand.
Take the Gardens Home: You will leave the workshop not only with newfound confidence, but also with a diverse array of hand-collected seed samples sourced directly from Mt. Cuba's gardens, ready to transform your own backyard. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $59 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $53.10
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10/22/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Leah BlantonEven in small garden spaces, you can boost diversity and seasonal interest through succession planting. Succession planting is the practice of designing a garden so that as one plant finishes its peak growth or bloom cycle, another is ready to step into the spotlight. By thoughtfully timing and layering your plants, you ensure continuous color, texture, and ecological benefits throughout the year rather than a single, fleeting burst of spring blooms. Designed for gardeners of all levels, this class focuses on how to build these layered, ecologically rich plantings using native species.
In this class, you will come away with:
- A clear understanding of succession planting and how it works in home gardens.
- The growth habits, site preferences, and key characteristics of native plants.
- How native plants can be combined to create layered garden design.
- Succession planting strategies for increasing biodiversity in your garden spaces.
This class includes a guided walk through the gardens with Leah. Take home a ready-to-use plant groupings list and a simple approach to designing more diverse, resilient garden beds. Register now to learn how to keep your garden evolving beautifully through every season. Because this program takes place on-site while the garden is open to the public, general admission to the gardens is included in the price. Regular Price: $49 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $44.10
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10/31/2026 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
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