What’s Pollinating your Garden flowers?

Did you know that three main native species of insects take care of the majority of pollination? Bees, Butterflies are no surprise, but Hoverflies are also an important pollinator.

June has been a colorful month for pollination in the garden, with Coneflowers, Penstemon, and Milkweeds leading the way as Summer Solstice and longer days provide the perfect flowering conditions for mid-season perennials. Hunting for the seasonal blooms, the following pollinating insects can often be found foraging amongst the various flowers that open with the warming sun rays.

Three types of bees are often seen buzzing from flower to flower sipping a sugary nectar and incidentally transferring pollen as they go:
Honeybees
Bumble bees
Carpenter bees

Three species of butterfly regularly seen throughout July and August:

Eastern Tiger Yellow Swallowtail

Monarch

Skipper

Three types of Hoverfly:

Hoverfly

Dronefly

Eastern Calligrapher

Here Comes Summer!

A wonderful cool, long spring means summer temperatures are just around the corner. Just a few miles from the beach the Delaware Botanic Gardens offers some much needed shade and respite from beach life.

Our volunteers have an opportunity to engage our guests in educational activities, guided tours, and workshops that highlight the importance of native plants, sustainable and environmentally friendly gardening.  

Perhaps you would like to learn about the butterflies and the native blooms that support their life-cycle. Register for "Butterflies and Blooms" program starting July 20.

As June draws to a close it is important to reflect on Pollinator Month and appreciate the deeper understanding of their needs and how we can safe-guard our pollinators for future generations.

Despite the mild spring we have experienced some challenging weather events at the Garden, postponing our SIP & SAUNTER event from June 21 to June 28 due to safety concerns with the heavy rain and high winds.
 

A few weeks earlier the gardens experienced an isolated hail storm that shredded leaves and damaged delicate plants. Fortunately, no permanent damage and the plants will recover.
 

Welcome Kaylin Hatfield
to the Team

Kaylin joins the team for a summer seasonal position and will support the team with maintenance and development of garden areas.

New! FREE!
Kids Crafts – Fridays in July

Recommended for ages 6-12.

Members and children 16 and under are admitted free. The guest fee for admission is $15.

Due to limited places reservations are required, book your child here.

Meadow Tours

Inland Bays Garden Center led by Sandy Daniels invited 32 guests to tour the Delaware Botanic Gardens.
The tour led by DBG Vice President Carol McCloud and Director of Horticulture Stephen Pryce Lea was very well received, with many guests visiting the Gardens for the first time. It was great to hear they will be back to see the Garden as it changes through the seasons. Holly Fluty Dempsey of Rewild Delmarva provided a fabulous lunch enjoyed by guests and staff at the Gardens.

Summer Meadow Tour
July 22 at 11:30 am
Enjoy the delights of a Piet Oudolf Meadow with DBG’s Director of Horticulture. Learn how to balance a native garden with essential pollinator plants for seasonal blooms.

Future Meadow Tour Dates
Fall Gardening for Wildlife Tour—October 7 and 21 at 2 pm

 
Sign up for a Meadow Tour >