Greater Philadelphia Gardens

Second Saturdays Garden Walks

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/10/2010

Winterhazels and Early Rhododendrons

Second Saturdays Garden Walks
Winterhazels and Early Rhododendrons

1:00 pm, Visitor Center
Learn fascinating, little-known details about the estate with our horticultural staff.

Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am. Walks last approximately 90 minutes. No reservations necessary. Included with all admission tickets, Members free.

Mosaic Birdbath Workshop - 2 days: April 10th & April 17th

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/10/2010

Mosaic artist, Barbie Henig, returns to help you create a beautiful mosaic birdbath using pottery, pebbles, and stained glass.

In the first class, Barbie shows you how to break and attach mosaic pieces to the terracotta base.
In the second class, learn how to grout and complete your project.

Saturdays, April 10, 9:30 – 12:30 pm & April 17, 9:30 – 12:00 pm

A $15 materials fee will be due to the instructor the first day of class.

Pre-registration required; $30 members, $35 non-members

Volunteer Trail Day

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/10/2010

Saturday, April 10, inclement weather date Sunday, April 11, 8:00 am � 12:00 pm

Saturday, April 10, inclement weather date Sunday, April 11, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Help keep Tyler’s trails safe and in good shape! No experience is necessary, just the willingness to help clean up a portion of Tyler’s extensive trail system and have some fun in the process. Wear boots, long pants, and long sleeves and bring eye protection and work gloves if you have them. Volunteers must be 14 years or older.

Pre-registration ENCOURAGED; contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 610-566-9134, ext 205 or jbell@tylerarboretum.org.

Ikebana in April

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/10/2010

Water in Composition

Ikebana in April: Water in Composition

Water is regarded as the conscious element of the Ikebana design. Study the various ways water can be incorporated, such as emphasizing the water surface, showing water through a glass, or combining different containers and shapes. Midori Tanumine will demonstrate Ikebana techniques.

Daffodil Dig

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/10/2010

Weed�Out Volunteer Program:

Place: Meet at Mt. Cuba Center Stables

Alien plant invasion is pervasive throughout Mt. Cuba Center’s natural lands and threatens the ecosystem. Help us weed them out! Volunteers will dig daffodils from areas where they are crowding out native plant species. Bring gloves and dress appropriately. Water and tools will be provided. Registration is required. Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Pre-registration is required.

Critter Hunt for Grown-Ups

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/10/2010

Join ecologist and naturalist, Steve Tessler, for a fun and fascinating nature walk and critter hunt, grown-up style.

Steve sees the little things that others often miss. He helps you discover the hidden world of insects, spiders, moss, fungi, tracks, and other small wonders of nature camouflaged, flying, or skittering about. Dress for cool morning weather and wear shoes suitable for uneven terrain.

Tiny Trackers: Feathered Friends

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/8/2010

Explore the fascinating world of our feathered friends and go bird-watching.

Best of all, take a peak at our collection of bird nests and colorful feathers while you learn about bird songs and habitats.

Tiny Trackers programs are for children ages 4 and 5. Each program includes a lesson, an outdoor walk, and a craft to take home. Adults are welcome to accompany children; fee is for the child only.

Senory Appeal of Native Plants

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/8/2010

A fascinating and informative lecture on the sensory appeal of native plants.

Join Horticulturist Gregg Tepper of Mt. Cuba Center for a fascinating and informative lecture on the sensory appeal of native plants. Gregg will discuss the unique ways in which native plants appeal to each of our senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and even sound. Learn little-known facts, hear entertaining true stories, and see outstanding photographs of the wildflowers we love of the forest and field. Although this lecture is free, space is limited to 70; please register in advance.

Click here to register or call 610-328-8025.

Unbuilt and Unexpected Nemours

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/8/2010

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture with Grace Gary

Grace Gary, executive director of Nemours Mansion and Gardens speaks on "Unbuilt and Unexpected Nemours.”

A discussion of the partnership between Alfred I. duPont and Thomas Hastings of Carerre and Hastings that led to the design of the gardens at Nemours. She will focus on aspects of the gardens that were never built and on some of the unusual approaches to horticulture that were considered.

Complements the "Lost Gardens of the Brandywine" exhibition.

Birding for Beginners

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

4/8/2010

Are you ready to move from watching birds at the feeder to going out in search of ones that you have not yet seen?

Join Sue Lucas for an introduction to birding – a great pastime for people who love to learn new things and get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Participants learn which birds live in our area, where and how to find them, and get some tips about equipment options. Beware – birding can become addictive!

Bring binoculars if you have them.

Pre-registration is required; $8 members, $10 non-members

Early Blooming Bulbs That Signal Spring Is Near!

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The first day of spring may be March 21^st, but don’t tell the snowdrops that push through the frozen ground after a few warm days in January. In this corner of Pennsylvania there are several hardy bulbs which frequently bloom well before the dates listed in the flower bulb catalogs. The snowdrops are often the earliest, and have been seen flowering as early as mid-December at the Morris Arboretum. Snowdrops or Galanthus, from the Greek gala (“snow”) and anthos (“flower”), have pendulous, creamy-white petals, usually marked with green. There are many forms and hybrids around but the earliest and most reliable is undoubtedly Galanthus nivalis which is native throughout much of Europe and naturalizes happily over here.

Winter aconite or Eranthis commonly bloom simultaneously with the snowdrops, almost always by mid-February. The bright yellow, buttercup flowers of winter aconite appear before delicate, palmately lobed leaves which form little collars or ruffs under the blooms. In the right conditions, usually left undisturbed under deciduous trees, aconite will seed in to form large drifts over time.

The species crocuses are also frequently in bloom on the grounds at the Arboretum in February. The deep lavender flowers of Crocus tommasinianus, affectionately known as “tommies”, are among the first to appear. Somewhat more diminutive and much earlier than the larger-flowered Dutch crocuses, tommies are very successful growing and spreading in areas of lawn grass, this is due to their short stature and because their leaves are held quite flat and thus are able to avoid the mower blades.

Appearing slightly later in the winter are the star-shaped, blue and white flowers of Chinodoxa. The common name of this Turkish import is Glory of the Snow, again from the Greek chion (“snow”) and doxa (“glory”). Chinodoxa once established, can produce up to 10 flowers on a single stem and will also seed in or naturalize freely in this region. Glory of the Snow can be seen blooming along the path through the Widener Woods, where you may find the pink and pure white forms as well as the lovely deep-blue ones.