Discover Delmarva: Delaware Botanic Gardens

DAGSBORO, De. – Delaware Botanic Gardens is one of the hidden gems of the Delmarva peninsula. Before you reach the Delaware Beaches, we’re told this little slice of paradise will help you de-stress from everyday life.

With more plants than you could ever imagine designed by Piet Oudolf, Deputy Executive Director Stephen Pryce Lea says, there are thousands of different plants in the Garden. “Originally when the Piet Oudolf meadow was planted it was seventy-thousand perennials. There are a few hundred thousand perennials in there now.”

This location offers some tranquility and the opportunity to connect with nature. Lea took WMDT on a tour throughout the property, “As soon as you exit your car, you may spot some Monarch Butterflies or even some bees,” he says.  All take refuge in the purposeful Rhyne Garden which Lea tells us, this garden serves the purpose of cleaning the stormwater. It allows flow from the top of the garden and enables it to pass into Pepper Creek.

After walking through the Rhyne Garden you arrive at the welcome center, which includes a vast assortment of products from local artisans. The doors lead to the Piet Oudolf Meadow, which contains eye-popping colors along with its vast assortment of flowers. Lea points out a few of the more noticeable flower varieties, “Just going over as well as the delicate coneflower. Very thin pink petals here this is coneflower. Hula Dancer, it’s quite an unusual variety. You’re not going to find this very often.”

Walking through this landscape of diverse plants, the prairie style of this meadow keeps it the same length creating an in-depth view with every step you take.
Depending on the temperature, you may even see “The Whirling Butterflies”. These unique flowers will open in a cool morning while closing with the heat of the day in the afternoon. This vantage point gives the garden a built-in viewing area and offers an overview of the two acres laid out in an infinity shape.

One of the more heavily shaded areas is the Folly Garden. This is a historic location that is from the old ruins of a house that once stood on the property. A large section of native plants can be found with the shade from black walnut trees; the perfect way to find refuge on a hot day.

The woodlands are a whole new adventure across the property. You approach the shoreline of Pepper Creek, and Lea mentions to us, that it’s an active shoreline for wildlife “Very, very shallow this is where the terrapin and even the sea otters will even come into the bay here.” Throughout the gardens, you’ll find a multitude of sculptures embedded throughout the landscape.

We’re told this shoreline is an award-winning one, being highlighted for its ingenuity in using natural materials to top coastal erosion. This also helps to keep the soil as pure as you’ll find. “We don’t use any fertilizer or chemicals here in the gardens. We do want to make sure that pollutants from either the road here or from the restrooms are filtered before heading down,” says Lea.

With a green thumb handy this garden can often change people even with just one trip. “People walk around the garden, and they are transformed by the time that they leave.,” says Lea. “The stress leaves them they very often sign up to become a member. And get a lot of value from the garden.”

The Gardens welcome large groups and are a perfect spot for a field trip for people of all ages. The admission price is just fifteen dollars to get in, or an extra ten dollars for a guided tour experience, with kids under the age of sixteen free for both.

Their hours are Thursday through Sunday 9 am to 4 pm.

You can check out their website for more details.