Botanic gardens admission free with food donation May 12

Delaware Botanic Gardens will offer free admission for adults who bring nonperishable donations for the Food Bank of Delaware on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, at 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro.

”DBG is committed to those in the Sussex community who are experiencing food insecurity. Last year, our generous Mother’s Day guests donated over a ton of food in exchange for free admission,” said Ray Sander, DBG president.

Sheryl Swed, DBG executive director, said, “Surprise your mother not just with a flower bouquet but with a Mother’s Day visit to the Delaware Botanic Gardens, and let her celebrate all year long with a gift membership. You and she will be notified in separate emails, and your mother will receive a gardens membership card in the mail.” Membership signup is available at the garden or online at delawaregardens.org.

“May blooms invite you to experience the great outdoors, unfurling ferns and delicate flowers. Enjoy a color-filled palette of late-spring perennials in our Piet Oudolf Meadow, a delight for our guests enjoying the coastal climate of the shoreline garden with family and friends at the Delaware Botanic Gardens. DBG plants for sale in May include annuals and perennials from $7, all grown by the DBG horticultural team,” said Stephen Pryce Lea, DBG director of horticulture.

The list of needed food items includes applesauce, cranberry sauce, oatmeal, cold cereals, pudding mix, canned pumpkin, graham cracker pie crust, canned gravy, rice, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing, hearty soups, corn muffin mix, canned sweet potatoes and yams, canned peas and green beans, 100% fruit juice, hot chocolate, coffee and tea, and evaporated milk.

For more information, go to delawaregardens.org.