2018 Garden Programs

Garden Insider:
A Series of Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations

Wednesdays, April-October
11:00 am
Brown Horticulture Learning Center

Go behind-the-scenes with the experts! Each week Winterthur introduces you to a specialist who will share with you his/her insights and expertise about the Winterthur Garden and Estate, its history, horticulture, or the environment. Presentations may be in the form of a walk, talk, or demonstration (or a combination). About 1 hour. Members free. Included with admission.

Late Summer Edible Plants: Identification and Tasting (walk)
September 5
Learn to safely identify late summer edible plants and turn them into interesting and delicious treats! Before becoming Winterthur’s Mapping & Records Specialist, Lori Schnick designed and ran “Wild Edible” dinners through the Delaware Nature Society. Her co-speaker, Dr. William Ryan, is a botanist and Senior Ecologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University.

The Beloved Koi (walk)
September 12
The very popular koi fish in the Glade Garden certainly deserve our attention. Join Carol Long, Curator of the Garden, to learn some fascinating facts about these colorful friends of the Winterthur Garden and how to take care of their watery home.

Freshwater Mussels at Winterthur (talk/walk)*
September 19
Learn how Winterthur and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary have collaborated to raise juvenile freshwater mussels, among the most imperiled organisms in North America. After the indoor presentation, take a walk to East Barn Pond to see this fascinating project up-close! *NOTE: The indoor portion of this presentation will take place in the Rotunda (Museum).

The Head Gardener’s Wife: Ruth Wales du Pont (talk)
September 26
A talented musician, skilled hostess, and witty and insightful observer of life’s comedy, Ruth Wales du Pont partnered with Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur’s self-described “Head Gardener,” for over 50 years as host and hostess of one of America’s great country estates. Join Museum Guide and researcher Debra Shedrick for a look at the woman behind the man – the Head Gardener’s Wife.

Nesting: An Arborist’s Perspective (talk/walk)
October 3
Disclaimer: This talk has nothing to do with actual bird’s nests! Arborist Kevin Braun will share more about his month-long task of reconstructing the famous Bird’s Nest feature in our children’s garden, Enchanted Woods. After a brief presentation, join Kevin on a walk to go see the nest construction up-close and personal!

Digital Map of the Plants in the Garden (talk)
October 10
Come view the (nearly!) complete digital map of all accessioned woody plants within the Winterthur Garden. Learn how the map was created, how it will be used internally by staff, and how the public will be able to discover the location and other information about individual plants on the property.

Fall Fruit on Oak Hill (walk)
October 17
Come for a walk with Garden Horticulturist Jessica Tsakiris and enjoy the splendor of fall color and fruit on Oak Hill.

Fall Flowering Camellias (talk/walk)
October 24
H.F. du Pont experimented with many camellias. Unfortunately, none of those survive today, but recent breeding work has made it possible to grow several fall-flowering forms in the Delaware area. Join Linda Eirhart, Director of Horticulture and Senior Curator of Plants, for a presentation on this work, followed by a short walk to see our planting of white-flowering camellias.

Celebrating with Cucurbits (demo)
October 31
See pumpkins and their allies transformed into festive carvings and elegant arrangements in time for your seasonal décor! Get familiar with members of the diverse gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) in this fun demonstration by Plant Records Manager Patti Pleva and Assistant Curator of Education/Garden Programs Erica Anderson.

Director’s Garden Walks

Second Saturdays of the month
1:00 pm* 
Visitor Center Patio**

Join Winterthur’s Director of Garden & Estate Chris Strand on a special walk highlighting interesting and seldom seen parts of the Winterthur landscape! Be sure to dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, an update message will be left at 302.888.4915 approximately 3 hours before the walk. 90 minutes. Members free. Included with admission. 

*Times vary in the summer months (evenings). **Walks in January and February (Members only) and those held in the evening in summer will leave from the Visitor Center Parking Lot.

September 8
Winterthur Train Station
1:00 pm – Visitor Center Patio

October 13
Autumn Color, Flowers, and Fruits
1:00 pm – Visitor Center Patio

November 10
Late Fall Color in the Garden
1:00 pm – Visitor Center Patio

December 8
Conifers and the Winter Garden
1:00 pm – Visitor Center Patio