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Instructors: Daryl BeyersLooking to bring greater intention, beauty, and functionality to your garden design? Join acclaimed garden designer and author Daryl Beyers for a special author event celebrating the release of his latest book, The New Garden Designer's Handbook.
Daryl will begin with an engaging lecture that reveals how professional designers approach the creative process - analyzing your site, shaping space, selecting plants, integrating built elements, and uniting every component into a beautiful, useful space. Whether you are new to garden design, an experienced gardener hoping to refine your eye, or simply eager to pick up fresh strategies you can apply right away, you'll gain practical insights that translate across garden styles and scales.
Continue your experience with a guided walk through the Mt. Cuba gardens, where we'll connect core design principles to the naturalistic beauty of native plant gardens. Along the way, Daryl will demonstrate how professional design principles, visual cues, and conceptual frameworks can be translated into practical ideas for your own space.
Finally, you will have an opportunity to meet Daryl and have your copy of The New Garden Designer's Handbook signed.
Whether you're designing from the ground up or fine-tuning an established garden, this experience will help you see your landscape with a fresh perspective and renewed creativity.
Pre-order your copy today for $18.50, a special 40% savings off retail, before the book is released to the public on June 2, 2026. A limited number of copies will be available for purchase at the signing for $21.00 while supplies last. 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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6/12/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Leah BrooksSpecialist pollinators need our help more than ever. While generalist bees and butterflies can use a wide range of plants, many caterpillars, bees, and other insects rely on very specific native species for food, shelter, and reproduction. When those plants disappear from our landscapes, the pollinators that depend on them disappear as well.
In this class, you’ll learn how to make a meaningful difference right in your own backyard. Discover the essential trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that support specialist pollinators—and how even small additions to your garden can create vital habitat. Instructor Leah Brooks will introduce a diverse selection of native perennials and highlight the remarkable relationships between these plants and the specialist species that rely on them for survival. The class includes a guided garden walk with Leah, where you’ll see these plants in person and observe how they function in a living landscape.
Leave inspired, informed, and ready to support specialist pollinators through thoughtful, impactful plant choices. Regular Price: $39 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $35.10
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6/23/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Melissa Starkey, PhDStep into the world of pollinators and invite them into your garden as you learn about and take home native plants to support them throughout the seasons. In this class, you'll learn how to create a living sanctuary that supports pollinators through every stage of their life cycle. Explore the unique roles native plants can play in creating a vibrant space for many native bee and butterfly species, including plants that serve as essential hosts for caterpillars to feed and grow, and others that draw in and feed adult butterflies and moths.
With the addition of pollinator-friendly native plants, your garden will not only look beautiful, it will live, breathe, and resonate with the rhythms of nature. You'll leave with five floriferous native plants and easy-to-use instructions to build your own transformative garden. Enjoy your new plants and the beautiful insects that will visit them throughout the season. Cost of class includes 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: $79 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $71.10
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6/24/2026 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
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Instructors: Sam HoadleyThe genus Asclepias, commonly known as the milkweeds, are beautiful and ecologically invaluable plants named for their poisonous milky sap. While milkweeds are toxic for many animals to consume, some insects, like monarch butterflies, rely on milkweeds as a food source and gain protection from its poisonous compounds.
Mt. Cuba Center’s Trial Garden, managed by Sam Hoadley and Laura Reilly, evaluates native species and cultivars for their horticultural and ecological value. This research aims to provide gardeners and the horticulture industry with information about superior plants for the mid-Atlantic region as well as highlight the important ecosystem services native plants provide. Since 2023, Mt. Cuba has been evaluating 25 different types of commercially available milkweeds to determine their adaptability to common garden conditions and to access their capacity to support wildlife, particularly monarch butterflies and caterpillars in cultivation. Take a deep dive with Sam Hoadley, Manager of Horticultural Research, into the fascinating world of milkweeds and get a preview of the front running species and cultivars from the trial. A walk through the trial garden to compare form, appearance, and marvel at the wildlife interactions with Sam completes the learning experience. 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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6/26/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Instructors: Mason HornsbyForget the food dye and messy sugar water; invite a bit of magic into your garden, naturally. This class celebrates the wonder of hummingbirds, those bright, winged sparks that stitch color and motion through our summer landscapes. Discover the native plants that nourish them, the quiet perches where they rest, and the subtle habitat features that make your yard the perfect respite for these extraordinary birds.
Explore the fantastic selection of native perennials, their shapes, bloom times, and plant communities that help sustain hummingbirds in your backyard. You'll learn how to design a small sanctuary that supports their nesting requirements and food sources while deepening your own connection to the natural rhythms of these nature's most captivating species.
Whether you're starting from scratch or upgrading an existing bed, you'll leave with a clear, achievable plan. You'll take home five proven native perennials and simple instructions so that you can create a thriving hummingbird habitat right away—no guesswork required.
Class price includes five 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: $79 Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Member Price: $71.10
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7/10/2026 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
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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: 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: 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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