2019 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.

Winterhazel Walk (walk)
April 3

Take an early spring walk through the Winterhazel Garden with Garden Horticulturist Michelle Stapleford. Discover the beauty of cool, yellow-green winterhazels mixed with the warm lavender of early rhododendrons – a striking color combination that was among Mr. du Pont’s favorites!

Chandler Woods Walk (walk)
April 10

Discover the “off the beaten path” beauty of this nearly 50-acre parcel of woods with Carol Long, Curator of the Garden.

Spring Ephemerals of Azalea Woods (walk)
April 17

Enjoy an early spring day in Azalea Woods. Susan Sibley, Garden Horticulturist, will be your guide as you witness the garden come to life with bluebells, trillium, and windflowers.

Spring Wild Edible Walk and Tasting (walk/demo)
April 24

Take a spring walk and learn to safely identify early-season 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.

Success with Camellias in the Delaware Valley (talk)
May 1

This presentation by Garden Guide Ron Simpson will discuss how to select, grow, and have success with camellias in the Delaware Valley. Both spring- and fall-blooming varieties will be highlighted.

Amazing Azaleas – Getting to Know the Kurume Hybrids (talk)
May 8

Join Garden Horticulturist Susan Sibley for an easy stroll through Azalea Woods to examine the many beautiful examples of Kurume hybrid azaleas. Learn all about their history and see up-close the special color combinations that make Azalea Woods such an amazing destination in spring.

Enjoying Bluebirds at Winterthur (talk/walk)
May 15

Curious what all those duplex nest-boxes throughout the Winterthur property are all about? Join Natural Lands Technician Madeline Banks and our team of volunteers to learn how Winterthur is contributing to the study of breeding bird populations while providing habitat for bluebirds and other native birds.

Perennials in the Quarry Garden (walk)
May 22

Join Garden Horticulturist Jim Pirhalla for a walk to the Quarry Garden, where you will discover a rich palette of perennials and gain new appreciation for a garden conceived in the 1960s during Henry Francis du Pont’s twilight years.

Fabulous Ferns (walk)
May 29

Hundreds of different ferns can be grown in our gardens. They range from inches high to four feet tall, evergreen to deciduous, and basic green to shades of silver and red. Join Linda Eirhart, Director of Horticulture and Senior Curator of Plants, on a stroll through the Winterthur Garden and discover a dozen ferns that are both easy to identify and easy to grow.

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.

March 9
Snowdrops and Other Minor Bulbs
1:00 pm – Visitor Center Patio

April 13
Winterhazels and Early Rhododendrons 
1:00 pm – Visitor Center Patio

May 11
Azaleas and Spring Wildflowers
1:00 pm – Visitor Center Patio

Story Time in Enchanted Woods

First and third Thursdays of the Month, April-October, 11:00 AM

Enchanted Woods

Share the joy of reading while cultivating an interest and appreciation for nature. Children can enjoy nature-based stories surrounded by the beauty of the Winterthur Garden. Story Time takes place among the Story Stones in Enchanted Woods. It is intended for children ages 3-6. In case of inclement weather, an update message will be left at 302.888.4864 by 10:00 am on the day of Story Time. 30 minutes. Members free. Included with admission. Free for children under 2.

April 4
Featured Book: Flowers are Calling by Rita Gray 

April 18
Featured Book: Forest Bright Forest Night by Jennifer Ward

May 2
Featured Book: Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward

May 16
Featured Book: The Curious Garden by Peter Brown