2017 Garden Programs
Garden Insider
Every Wednesday, April-October (except August)
All start at 11:30 am at the Brown Horticulture Learning Center (*or as noted)
“Garden Insider” is a new name for a longstanding Winterthur tradition (“Wednesdays at Winterthur”). Join us for this unique series of walks, talks, and demonstrations that introduce you every week to a specialist from among the staff, volunteers, and other professionals affiliated with the Winterthur Garden. Presentations explore all aspects of the Winterthur Garden and Estate – their history, design, and plants – as well as current topics of interest in horticulture, agriculture, and environmental studies. About 1 hour. For walks, please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. Members free and included with admission. No reservations necessary.
April 5 – Color in the Early Spring Garden (walk)
Take an early spring walk through the Winterhazel Garden with 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!
April 12 – The March Bank—A Horticultural Treasure (walk)
The March Bank in all its glory is a stunning display of flowering bulbs and wild nature in harmony. Join Horticulturist Amy Bloom-Mountz for a walk to the March Bank and learn about the significance of its abundant, eye-catching flora.
April 19 – Winterthur and Delaware’s Pollinator Protection Plan (talk)
Pollinators are a key component of U.S. agriculture, but sadly they are facing multiple stresses including parasites, pesticide exposure, and habitat loss. Thalia Pappas, of the Delaware Department of Agriculture, will describe Delaware’s “Managed Pollinator Protection Plan,” part of a wider federal effort to protect the health and habitat of honeybees and native pollinators. Learn how Winterthur’s meadows are playing an important role in protecting pollinators.
April 26 – Garden Design Duo—H. F. du Pont and Marian Cruger Coffin (talk/walk)
Henry Francis du Pont’s earliest collaboration in building his Museum was with Bertha King Benkard, and in his Garden his chosen design partner was Marian Cruger Coffin, one of America’s first female landscape architects. Indeed, Mr. du Pont was gender-blind when seeking advice from the experts! Join us for an exploration of this productive partnership. Following the 30-minute presentation, take a guided walk through the Sundial Garden and East Terrace – two lasting examples featuring the design work of this dynamic duo. Presenter: Debra Shedrick, House/Garden Guide.
May 3 – Putting the Historic Garden on the Map (talk/walk)
Thanks to a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Winterthur Garden staff are busy at work inventorying and mapping the woody plants in the Winterthur Garden, updating plant records, and geo-referencing key historic maps. The ultimate goals include making Winterthur’s “living collection” available online. Mapping Specialist Lori Schnick and Plant Records Intern Cole Larson-Whittaker will discuss all aspects of their exciting work. Come hear about this giant undertaking from the professionals on the front lines!
May 10 – Amazing Azaleas—Getting to Know the Kurume Hybrids (walk)
Join 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.
May 17 – Destination—Quarry Garden (walk)
H.F. du Pont found a creative way to re-purpose a once active rock quarry on the Estate into one of Winterthur’s most unique garden areas. Join Horticulturist Jim Pirhalla for a walk to the Quarry Garden, where you will discover a rich history and gain new appreciation for a garden conceived in the 1960s during Mr. du Pont’s twilight years.
May 24 – Plants from China—A Living Museum (walk)
From Winterthur’s famous dove tree, among the first of its kind to bloom in this country, to the often overlooked beauty, seven-son-flower, Chinese plants abound in the Winterthur Garden. On this walk with Winterthur Garden Guide Fair Bauernschmidt, see examples of plants that – akin to the porcelain and other Chinese objet d’art on display in the Museum – represent a priceless collection!
May 31 – Discover Winterthur’s Past in Enchanted Woods (walk)
Remnants of Winterthur’s past, including architectural fragments, columns, and gates, are found throughout Enchanted Woods. Join Horticulturist Suzanne French to discover how these elements were masterfully used in the creation of one of this country’s most magical and unique children’s gardens.
June 7 – The Art of Beekeeping—Winterthur Style! (talk/walk)
Join beekeeper Chris Biondi for a behind-the-scenes look at managing honeybees and honey production on the Winterthur Estate. Following the 30-minute presentation, guests are invited to take a hayride out to the hives to see beekeeping in action!
June 14 – Fabulous Ferns (walk)
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.
June 21 – What’s a Folly? (talk*)
In 2018 the Winterthur Garden will be hosting its first outdoor exhibition, entitled “Follies: Architectural Whimsy in the Garden.” Not sure just what that will look like? Join Carol Long, Curator of the Garden, to find out more. [*Talk will take place in Rotunda this week.]
June 28 – Assessing Winterthur’s Pollinators (talk)
Don Coats, retired veterinarian and avid advocate of native pollinator habitat, will present on the exciting work of Winterthur’s “Bee Watchers,” a dedicated new group of Garden volunteers. Learn about their 2016 assessment of pollinator habitat in Brown’s Woods Meadow, a survey based on native bee monitoring. Asserting that native bees need native plants, Dr. Coats will inspire you to make your own mini-meadow or native flower garden right at home!
July 5 – Weeds! (Your Garden’s Dirty Secret) (talk)
Horticulturist Jessica Tsakiris will shed some light on common weeds that may be invading your garden. Learn how to identify, prevent, and remedy these unwelcome intruders!
July 12 – Gentleman Farmers and Estate Farm Buildings (talk)
H.F. du Pont was one of the most accomplished gentleman farmers of his day. In this presentation by Director of Interpretation and Estate Historian Jeff Groff, you will learn more about the history of this elite group of farmers, the state-of-the-art facilities they created, and their involvement in exclusive organizations such as the Farmers Club.
July 19 – In Living Color—Winterthur’s Lost Garden Through Autochrome Photography (talk/walk)
The Winterthur Library’s collection of autochromes, the first industrially produced color photographs, provides horticulturists with a valuable glimpse into Mr. du Pont’s early design aesthetic. In particular, their portrayal between 1910 and 1921 of a lavish, formal flower garden at Winterthur is particularly priceless in that this garden no longer exists today. Join Assistant Curator of Education Erica Anderson for a sampling of historical images picturing this “lost garden,” and then go on-site to investigate the garden’s original location and see remnants from its colorful past.
July 26 – Inside the Interns’ Garden (talk)
Winterthur’s horticulture interns share about their behind-the-scenes experiences in the Winterthur Garden in this conversational-style presentation, one that has become an annual tradition! This year, come hear about some of the unique projects and research that the interns have been pursuing during their time at Winterthur. Moderator: David Schurr, Estate Horticulturist.
September 6 – Butterflies of Winterthur (talk)
Pauline Myers, Garden Volunteer and a Penn State master gardener, will discuss butterflies – beautiful, mobile parts of the garden. We’ll review the life cycle of butterflies, see photos of some that visit the Winterthur Garden, and learn about how the garden supports these magnificent, living works of “garden art.”
September 13 – Lost Treasure—Winterthur’s Former Cutting Garden (talk/walk)
In addition to 22 Greenhouses, Henry F. du Pont relied upon a 4-acre cut-flower garden to ensure a steady supply of flowers for arrangements to complement his room displays. The cutting garden was tended by 15 gardeners and held some 160 species and varieties of lilies alone. After a 15-minute presentation including historic photos, join us for a guided walk to explore what remains of Winterthur’s cutting garden. Presenter: Eileen Scheck, Assistant Curator of Garden Education.
September 20 – Turf Equipment 101 (talk/demo)
See what it takes to keep over 1,000,000 square feet of turf maintained throughout the year! We’ll show you the equipment and give you a few tips on turf care. Presenter: Frank Quinnette, Estate Horticulturist.
September 27 – Ornamenting the Winterthur Garden (talk/walk)
Join Assistant Conservator Lauren Fair and Estate Supervisor Rob Plankinton for a discussion and walking tour featuring Winterthur’s garden ornaments. Completed, ongoing, and future projects, along with conservation practices, will be covered.
October 4 – What Ails Your Trees? (talk)
Join Garden and Estate Arborist Kevin Braun in uncovering some of today’s most common ailments of our wonderful tree canopy. There are many different insects, diseases, and even manmade issues that endanger our trees today! Everything from signs, symptoms, and even possible management plans will be discussed. Come out and learn how to save a tree!
October 11 – Walking on the Winterthur Estate (walk)
Join Garden Guide Mary Patterson on some trails to add to your walking options as you explore the Winterthur estate. (Be sure to wear sturdy footwear as some of the terrain is uneven.)
October 18 – Getting to Know the Pinetum (walk)
Join Horticulturist Joe Lazorchak for a walk through the Pinetum. While known for its conifers, there is also much colorful autumnal interest within this “evergreen plantation” started by Colonel Henry Algernon du Pont a century ago.
October 25 – Into the World of Land Art (talk/demo)
What place does land art, often associated with contemporary art, have in a historic garden like Winterthur? Join Horticulturist Suzanne French and Assistant Curator of Education Erica Anderson for a look into the fascinating world of outdoor art that takes nature as its subject. Following the 20-minute presentation, guests are invited to help create a group land art installation in the Winterthur Garden!
Director’s Garden Walks
Second Saturdays of the month, year-round
Most walks start at 1:00 pm and leave from the Visitor Center Patio (unless otherwise noted)
Join Winterthur’s Director of Garden & Estate Chris Strand every second Saturday of the month for a special walk highlighting interesting and seldom seen parts of the Winterthur landscape. Each walk lasts about 90 minutes. 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. Members free and included with admission. No reservations necessary.
1/14/2017 – Winter Interest*
*Members only (Winterthur closed). Leave from Visitor Center parking lot.
2/11/2017 – Winter Color and First Flowers*
*Members only (Winterthur closed). Leave from Visitor Center parking lot.
3/11/2017 – Snowdrops and Other Minor Bulbs
4/8/2017 – Winterhazels and Early Rhododendrons
5/13/2017 – Azaleas and Spring Wildflowers
6/10/2017 – Meadows, Streams, and Ponds*
*8:00 pm – bring your flashlight! Leave from Visitor Center parking lot.
7/8/2017 – Chimney Swifts on Farm Hill*
*8:00 pm – bring your flashlight! Leave from Visitor Center parking lot.
8/12/2017 – Sunset from the Train Station*
*7:00 pm – bring your flashlight and prepare for a long walk! Leave from Visitor Center parking lot.
9/9/2017 – Garden Architecture and Water Features
10/14/2017 – Autumn Color, Flowers, and Fruits
11/11/2017 – Late Fall Color in the Garden
12/9/2017 – Conifers and the Winter Garden
