Mt. Cuba Center: A Native Plant Paradise

Mt. Cuba Center, nestled in the rolling hills of Hockessin, Delaware, is a botanical garden dedicated to the study and conservation of native plants of the Appalachian Piedmont. What began in 1935 as the private estate of Lammot du Pont Copeland and his wife, Pamela Cunningham Copeland, has blossomed into a 600-acre haven for horticultural research, education, and natural beauty. The Copelands transformed former farmland into a Colonial Revival-style manor house with gardens, commissioning landscape architect Thomas Sears to design the initial formal areas. In the 1960s, landscape architect Seth Kelsey expanded the gardens into the surrounding woodlands, creating winding paths and picturesque ponds. Pamela Copeland's passion for native plants led to the development of woodland wildflower gardens, and in 1983, Dr. Richard Lighty was hired as the first Director of Horticulture to study the native plants of the Appalachian Piedmont. Today, visitors can explore a variety of gardens, including formal gardens, naturalistic landscapes, and a trial garden where horticultural research is conducted. Mt. Cuba Center is particularly known for its collections of *Coreopsis*, *Heuchera*, *Baptisia*, and *Trillium*, and is a designated national collection holder for *Hexastylis* and *Trillium*. The center's commitment to sustainability is evident in its eco-friendly practices and net-zero energy greenhouse. Open to the public since 2013, Mt. Cuba Center offers a range of activities, including guided tours, educational programs, and self-directed exploration. The center's mission is to inspire an appreciation for the beauty and value of native plants and a commitment to protecting the habitats that sustain them.