Mt. Cuba Center's Wildflower Celebration: A Photoessay

Mt. Cuba Center may well be the finest woodland wildflower garden on the East Coast (my opinion, of course).  This non-profit organization invited the general public onto its grounds (a former duPont family estate) this past Sunday for the 4th Annual Wildflower Celebration.  Set on 650 acres in the rolling hills of northern Delaware, the organization is dedicated to the study, conservation, and appreciation of plants native to the Appalachian Piedmont Region through its garden display, education, and research.

This place presents an ever-changing experience as different wildflowers bloom at different times of the year.  In fact, their website offers a very cool glimpse at the difference in appearances according to season.  CLICK HERE to see this place transform from one season to another before your eyes!

As we arrived we proceeded down Woods Path amongst tall tulip-poplar trees and through meandering footpaths flanked by assortments of wildflowers. 

Twisted Trillium


Dwarf Larkspur (Delphinium tricorne)

Then we were directed down West Slope Path towards The Ponds.  It was slightly misty and foggy as we approached the water, but this was definitely the prettiest portion of the event!

As we reached The Ponds there were four different ponds laid out before us, each with their own assortment of wildflowers and ferns.  All were complimented with beautiful waterfalls.  It was just so serene and beautiful ... I want to go back when there are no crowds!

As we neared the Main House, we went through Lilac Allee (featuring 25 cultivars of French hybrid lilacs) which opened up to the Round Garden full of beautiful spring tulips and delphiniums.

Common Lilac

I wish I could have taken a panoramic shot of the above picture.  There was a Maltese cross-shaped fountain with the same display of blooming flowers on the opposite side.  It was absolutely breathtaking to come out of rows of lilac trees and to see THIS spread before you!

At this point we'd reached the Main House, which is a Colonial Revival-style residence that was completed in 1937 for Mr. and Mrs. Lammot duPont Copeland.  He was the President and Chairman of the DuPont Company and she was a leader in many community and cultural organizations.  The residence was designed by architects Victorine and Samuel Homsey.  In 2003 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Today it serves as the administrative and educational facility for Mt. Cuba Center.  I wish I could've taken a picture of the house, but it was so large I couldn't be at my location and get it all into the frame!  All I could do was stand on its back terrace and take a picture of the "view"...

Regretably, my daughter and I only had about an hour and a half to spend at the event so she could still get to her soccer game, but since we one of the first 500 families to arrive, we received a wildflower of our very own: a foamflower.  It should bloom soon and I'll be sure to edit this photoessay later by adding a pic of the flower we're raising.

This coming weekend is the Annual Native Plant Sale at the Delaware Nature Society just down the road.  They cooperate, or so I'm told, in selling baby plants that thrive naturally in our area.  We would very much like to go and give some more wildflowers a new home!  I have some shade that needs a bunch of pretty flowers!

I will DEFINITELY be returning to Mt. Cuba Center at different times of the year to see the changes in person.  It is such a quiet, relaxing, beautiful place.  Anyone who loves flowers, nature, or just relaxation would enjoy strolling down its paths for sure!