DBG celebrates peak blooms at Piet Oudolf Meadow Garden
Delaware Botanic Gardens hosted 150 members, guests and supporters at a Sip & Saunter event June 16, celebrating the Piet Oudolf Meadow Garden at peak summer bloom.
With 70,000 native plants and grasses spread over two acres, summer is the best time to see this unique garden.
“If you have been thinking of visiting the DBG, summer is the time to see the gardens at their blooming best,” said Ray Sander, Delaware Botanic Gardens president.
“A delightful mid-June evening spent amongst flowers at DBG, from the swaying heads of the coneflower, echinacea ‘hula dancer’ to the steely blue sea holly, eryngium ‘big blue.’ Our evening guests enjoyed a sip beneath beautiful, clear-blue, sunlit skies while sauntering amongst the delicate blossoms and grasses of Piet Oudolf’s prairie meadow, reveling as the sun’s golden rays set on an enchanting evening with friends and honored guests of the gardens,” said Stephen Pryce Lea, DBG head of horticulture.
“This is a special time to visit the gardens. We were honored during our Sip & Saunter event to welcome some of our supporters who designed key garden features: Rodney Robinson and Allan Summers of RAS, who created the DBG master plan; Chris Bason, executive director of the Center for the Inland Bays, and his team, who partnered with DBG and Karen Steenhoudt on the Living Shoreline Project; and Scott Edmonston of SEA Studio Architects, who designed our restrooms and the Pennoni Pavilion,” said Sheryl Swed, DBG executive director. “This June celebration was made more festive by libations from our presenting sponsor, Dogfish Head Brewery; with the extraordinary food from Good Earth Market’s Sue Ryan and Nino Mancari; wonderful music from Eva Tooker of Coastal Keys; and plein air art by John Schisler.”
Craig Sims, director of development, said, “It was a wonderful way to say thank you to our volunteers and garden community, and to remind everyone that we all are thankful to have COVID-19 hopefully behind us. We invite all to visit DBG during our special summer blooming season.”
The gardens are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday to Sunday. Guided tours are also available. Reservations are recommended; go to delawaregardens.org. Delaware Botanic Gardens is located at 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro.
