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Despite
the gray and drizzly skies, Sunday was a day to celebrate spring at Mt. Cuba
Center in Hockessin. Sunday was the center’s sixth annual Wildflower
Celebration.
The
focus of the day was on native plants, native plant biodiversity and native
plant gardening, according to Rick Lewandoski, the director of Mt. Cuba Center.
“One
of the things we have to understand is that North American wildflowers are the
second richest biodiversity in the world, and we’re trying to share that with
people …and to engage them in an understanding of gardening with native
plants,” Lewandoski said.
The
gardens are normally open by appointment only, with the annual Wildflower
Celebration being the only day of the year when the general public can visit at
no cost.
There
were 15 learning stations along the walking trail that led visitors through a
portion of the 587-acre estate, the former home of Lammot du Pont Copeland. The stations covered a variety of topics from gardening with
native plants to pruning and making dyes from plants.
There
was also a wildflower challenge where visitors tried to identify certain plants
by their pictures. Those with the correct answers received 2-for-1 visitors’
passes to stroll the gardens at another time.
Lewandoski
said the goal was to get people to understand the importance of native plants.
“The
main thing about native plant gardening is that there’s not one solution to any
particular situation. We think that native plants have been generally under
served and need to be used more in the gardens. It’s mostly about protecting
the environment and preventing the invasion of nonnative plants. There are a
lot of native plants that are a good alternative to exotic species that could
become invasive,” Lewandoski said.
While
wildflowers attract insects that, in turn, attract birds, the Wildflower Celebration
attracts people.
Maria
Taylor, of Wilmington, has been going to the celebration since the beginning.
She initially came because it was the first time the grounds of the old estate
were open to the general public for free, but it’s the grounds that keep her
coming back.
“It’s
one of the most beautiful places in northern Delaware,” she said. “I love
native plants, and wildflowers, and it’s just the most exquisite spot for those.”
Touring
the Mt. Cuba gardens, and talking with gardening experts during the celebration
over the years taught Taylor how to recognize and clear out invasive plants in
her own garden.
“And
I’ve learned about more beautiful things that I might plant,” Taylor said.
Another
visitor was Monica Tisack of Pennsbury Township. Sunday was her third time to
stroll the gardens during the celebration.
She
said she first came out because she likes wildflowers and wanted to check out
the gardens. It was that visit that keeps her coming back.
“It
was enchanting,” Tisack said. “It was beautiful. Everything was in full bloom.
We like to come out and see what’s new.”
She
said she has “absolutely” learned a lot about gardening at home by going to Mt.
Cuba.
“A
lot of the shade garden native plants here are great to use. A lot of times you
think you can only get big bursts of color from annual flowers. That’s not
true. You can use a lot of native perennials and get just unbelievable color
and interesting foliage.”
The
celebration draws about 3,500 visitors when the weather is good. Sunday’s
clouds and drizzle cut that back. Lewandoski said 800 to 1,000 visitors would
be good on such a day.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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