Mt. Cuba Center

Yes this is a great place to bring young kids. Pack a picnic lunch and drinks. Not really a great place for strollers. Exploring the gardens and ponds. We saw newts, fish, turtles, pollywogs. Our granddaughter was 5 and she loved it.

A beautiful gem of a native garden, a former Dupont house now dedicated to teaching about the value of native plants in their native habitats.

Went to their Botantical Bazaar. They featured artist selling their botanical inspired art work. In addition the garden had various Plein air artist painting the flora and fauna. Offered garden tours also. Beautiful day.

Mt. Cuba Center is a hidden gem—a serene and beautifully maintained native plant garden that offers a peaceful escape into nature. The staff are incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, adding to the warm and inviting atmosphere. Every path leads to a new scenic view, with a calming, natural aesthetic that feels both wild and wonderfully curated. A perfect spot for garden lovers and anyone looking to unwind in a truly tranquil setting.

Just a lovely, lovely place if you have any interest in gardening. I would highly recommend doing the welcome walk; it is totally worth the extra few dollars. Mt. Cuba Center shows off native plants in all kinds of contexts - formal and naturalistic gardens, woodland and meadow, ponds, mixed in with non-native ornamentals, even containers. It's great for inspiration for your own garden, and it proves that there's a native plant configuration for everyone. I especially love seeing the carnivorous plants and the trillium garden. Their educational and scientific work, though not a primary reason most people visit, is truly commendable. They study native cultivars for ecological value, which you can see in their trial garden. I typically prefer straight species, but if I buy a cultivar from them, I know I can trust it to be valuable.

My daughter & I visit on a Sunday afternoon and as I walked the paths I found myself on a nature walk. The surroundings were peaceful. I enjoyed the fact of seeing native plants in their natural state.

Walking through these gardens felt like entering a hidden paradise where everything is designed to highlight the beauty of native plants. The wooded paths are incredibly peaceful, and I loved how the landscapes transition naturally from sunny meadows to shaded ponds filled with water lilies. It is clear that a lot of heart goes into maintaining the grounds because every flower and tree looks perfectly placed and healthy. I spent a long time just sitting by the tiered gardens near the main house, enjoying the quiet and watching the butterflies. It is a wonderful place to escape the noise of everyday life and get lost in nature for a few hours.

I've been to many gardens over the years. This was the first one that focus on a mission that is truly for the greater good of the ecosystem and our environment, not just with visually appealing flowers. Many other places have plants that are actually quite invasive and should not be grown nor promoted.