Garden Snips from DBG

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There is so much to explore at DBG this Fall: Stroll our Woodland Trails, bask in the glory of fall color, discover our forest creatures, but beware of the Sea Witch!

Explore our fabulous Monarch Meander with an abundance of seed heads and late season interest. The Monarch Meander is a temporary exhibit (2-3 years) designed to attract and maximize pollinators by creating unique horticultural/agricultural displays using annuals, perennials, cover crops, and wildflowers. Kudos to Jeremy Cole and Bridget Curran for this initiative, re-purposing an area previously mowed, to benefit wildlife, improve soil conditions, and provide an extended meandering experience for our visitors.

Wild Tree Data Collection

The Woodlands Inventory Team of volunteers completed a full assessment of DBG’s 12 acres of wild trees, shrubs and vines, known as woody plants, on October 8, 2023. Over a three-year period, the team braved heat, humidity, cold, ticks, yellow-jackets, poison ivy and thickets of thorns and spiny leaves in recording the botanic name, common name, life-form type, diameter, GPS coordinates, height and condition for more than 4,000 specimens. The inventory will be a vital management tool to create a more diverse forest ecosystem and to assess the overall health of the woodlands.

The top five species, representing 72 percent of the total forest, were: Ilex opaca var. opaca (American holly), Acer rubrum (Red maple), Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum), Prunus serotina var. serotina (Black cherry) and Sassafras albidum (Sassafras). In addition to the wild trees, the inventory team also recorded GPS coordinates for an additional 1,000-plus trees that have been planted throughout the Gardens.

Below: Woodlands Inventory Team (L to R) Margaret Kimmel, Elizabeth Rives, Craig Haggarty, Ryan Revel, Donna Buono. Not shown: Michelle Garrett, Cheryl Quirk

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
—Nelson Henderson

Remembering the Delaware Botanic Garden in your will is a meaningfu

l way to continue the great tradition of inspiring through beauty and engaging through education. While the Garden may change in appearance with each passing season, it remains alive and vibrant because of the dedication and generosity of special friends and community leaders like the late Peter Carter. Peter joined the DBG Board in 2013, and served faithfully until his passing earlier this year. DBG recently learned of Peter’s legacy gift to the Garden through a bequest in his will.

There are many ways to leave a legacy gift to DBG by including the Garden in your estate planning, and by doing so helps ensure DBG’s ability to fulfill its mission for years to come. For additional information or questions, contact Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director. Call 202-262-9856 or email sherylswed@delawaregardens.org

Ways to Give

DBG joins the DNREC Delaware Kestrel Partnership

Thanks to Ryan Revel for suggesting this partnership. DBG new kestrel Bird Box installation at the end of October. The Falcon has become a rare sight across our state, and Ryan has volunteered to monitor and manage DBG’s newest nest box.
Photo by Delaware.gov

DBG Gift Shop Sale!

Our sale begins November 2 until we close November 19. All gift shop merchandise will go on sale for 25% off. Exceptions are the Piet Oudolf and Doug Tallamy books that are not on sale.

BIG THANK YOU TO Jeannette Cowan for organizing the Gift Shop Sale.

Check out our latest project. Hedgerow Garden Planting Phase 1.

Amanda Goebel, DBG Volunteer Coordinator, has worked closely with the Deltech interns to ensure the Hedgerow garden stays on target. This week began Phase 1 of hedgerow planting.

Photo of Amanda Goebel and Emma Ruggerio with Deltech interns
Photo by Brent Baker

Join us for our Fall Themed Classes

Fall Bulb Planting – Tips and Tricks
November 4, 11 am –12 pm
Join our Director of Horticulture on this introduction to fall planting bulbs. Learn how, when, and where to plant spring flowering bulbs to maximum effect. Stephen will share his top tips for getting the best results from your bulbs and how to naturalize spring bulbs so they return year after year, and how to keep pests away from your newly planted bulbs.

Happy Holly Days
November 9, 11 am –12 pm
Celebrate the noble Holly, Delaware State Tree, and learn about the history of Holly in Delaware. Find out about the Anderson Holly Collection at DBG.

Wreath Making
November 9, 12:30–1:30 pm
Join volunteers in our wreath making workshop using natural materials from the Garden. $20 per person.

Discover our Mythical Sea Witch designed and installed by Sam Cashdollar and Jeremy Cole. Check out our newest forest creatures built by dedicated staff and volunteers. Forest creatures on display from Thursday, October 26 until Sunday, November 19.

Veterans Day
November 11, 9 am–4 pm

Free Entry for veterans and guests bringing food donations.
DBG is collecting food donations for “Home of the Brave Foundation” in Milford. Meet the volunteers, support the gardens, and Veterans Day with DBG.

Volunteer with DBG this season and help us grow. Garden Steward and Docent opportunities are available! During Fall, and thanks to the cooler weather, we will return to planting perennials, shrubs and trees. Aggressive plants and weeds still need keeping in check, so we need all the help we can get. Volunteering with DBG this season is a rewarding opportunity for you to contribute to the non-profit organization.

DBG is growing and has positions available for Point of Sale, Greeters, Garden Stewards, and Docents, and we hope to see you soon!

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Delaware Botanic Gardens · P.O. Box 1390 · Ocean View, DE 19970 · USA