"Talk of Delmarva" Interview with Ray Sander, President DBG
/Ray was interviewed on WGMB-FM (92.7), "Talk of Delmarva" radio show hosted by Jake Smith. The transcript is attached for your information.
Peter Carter Will Be Greatly MIssed
/Ray Sander, President Delaware Botanic Gardens, wrote a touching tribute to our late colleague Peter Carter in Cape Gazette published June 4, 2023.
DBG has set up a special fund in honor of Peter. Just note on your checks "In Honor of Peter" and they will get to right place.
Mother's Day Food Drive Media Coverage
/Delaware Botanic Gardens Mother’s Day Food Drive is featured in several local publications.
In Cape Gazette, May 23 to May 25, 2023. " Botanic garden marks Mother's Day with food drive. " Posted online and in hard copy on page 20 under "Garden & Farm" section of newspaper. Read more.
In Coastal Point, May 26, 2023,. Delaware Botanic Gardens collects a ton of food for Food Bank, " in newspaper. (page A26) and posted online. Read more.
WRDE-TV, On Mother's Day, Carmen Holland visited the gardens and interviewed Sheryl Swed and a local mother who was visiting the gardens from Dagsboro. Sheryl talked about food insecurity as problem that resulted in DBG teaming with Food Bank of Delaware. WRDE story link.
DBG amongst the beautiful perennial gardens of Piet Oudolf, Vogue Magazine
/The Beautiful Perennial Gardens of Piet Oudolf, the World’s Greatest Living Landscape Designer
by Elise Taylor
It is probably an exaggeration to say everyone has walked through a Piet Oudolf garden. But, hundreds of millions of people have: The Dutch landscape designer is the mastermind behind New York City’s High Line and Battery Park, Chicago’s Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, London’s Queen Elizabeth Park, the entry to Toronto’s Botanical Garden, and the Vitra Campus in Southwest Germany. (Just to name a few.) Currently, most consider him the most famous person in his field. “I always had a strong feeling that I could do something different,” Oudolf previously said. “That happened when I met plants.”
A new book Piet Oudolf: At Work, published tomorrow by Phaidon, proves how inarguable his impact is. A photographic anthology of his greatest outdoor work as well as a poetic ode to his creativity (thanks to several essays by his contemporaries), it offers a complete look at Oudolf and his legacy.
DBG featured in Delmarva Life Segment on WBOC-TV
/On Monday, March 13th, Ray Sander, DBG President, Stephen Pryce Lea, Director of Horticulture and Educational Programs, and Jan Poli, DBG Volunteer designer, went to the WBOC-TV studios in Salsbury, MD to tape a "Delmarva Life" segment on Delaware Botanic Garden's 2023 opening the following Thursday. The segment consisted of an interview between the hosts (Jimmy & Lisa) and Ray and Stephen and a spring plant container demonstration by Jan Poli.
Kudos for Erosion Control
/DBG featured in Delaware Beach Life Magazine. May 2023 issue. -- Andrew Sharp.
photograph courtesy of the Center for the Inland Bays
A rough structure resembling a split-rail fence lines the edge of Pepper Creek, but it isn’t meant for penning cattle. Instead, the wooden barrier at the Delaware Botanic Gardens is part of a project that keeps the stream bank itself from disappearing into the water.
At this particular spot near Dagsboro, the preservation of vulnerable land is earning recognition in the effort to educate visitors about what’s known as “living shoreline”.
Earth Day Media Coverage
/Delaware Botanic Gardens Earth Day celebration is featured in several local publications.
In Cape Gazette, "Botanic gardens admission free with food donation April 22", posted April 19, 2023. Based on DBG Press Release of April 15th. Read more.
In Coastal Point, "Botanic gardens offering free admission with food donation for Earth Day, " posted April 18, 2023. Based on DBG Press release of April 15th. Read more.
Bay-to-Bay News, "Free Delaware Botanic Gardens mission with food donation on Earth Day," posted April 17th. Based on DBG Press Release of April 15th. Read more.
WRDE-TV, "Free Earth Day Admission to Botanic Gardens with Food Donation," posted April 17th. Based on DBG Press Release of April 15th. Read more.
DBG featured in FLOWER Magazine, May-June 2023
/“A Dream Realized” at the Delaware Botanic Gardens, a bouquet of committed volunteers combined with the superstar designer Piet Oudolf and his vision to transform this creekside former farmland. Read more, click cover.
By Amy Brecount White
Click to read full article.
An evening to Frolic in the Folly
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the folly gardens at delaware botanic gardens is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature
Beth Feigley photos
Delaware Botanic Gardens held Frolic in the Folly, its first fundraiser of 2023, April 9 in Dagsboro.
Carol McCloud, volunteer vice president and board member, sponsored the folly garden. She said it is near and dear to her heart as she has dedicated the folly in memory of her late husband, John.
Guests at the event were all smiles, enjoying a pleasant spring evening with friends snd supporters of the gardens. There was live music by 5th Avenue, a variety of refreshments, artists painting at easels, and beauty all around. A planter demonstration was held by the designer and caretaker of the folly, Jan Poli. The planter caught onlookers’ eyes and was part of an auction toward the end of the event.
A folly garden is meant to be joyful and whimsical. It’s a place to simply wander and enjoy.
Botanic Gardens celebrate new facility with ribbon-cutting
/As Raymond Sander, president of the Delaware Botanic Gardens, snipped a blue-, green-and-white ribbon, marking the official opening of new, 800-square-foot rustic cedar restroom building, complete with a 1,000-gallon rain barrel, cheers went up from those gathered to mark the occasion, with upbeat comments from several speakers.
“We don’t mind rain in a garden, right?” Sander, in a wide-brimmed hat and jacket to protect against the damp, joked. The cloudy sky over the Thursday, March 17, event in Dagsboro followed a considerable downpour the night before, with wind and droplets that had courteously stopped in time for the ribbon-cutting.
Then Sander proclaimed the day one to take a step forward by doing something special for the Gardens and for all of Delmarva, “because we love it here.”
All those involved in the building and ribbon cutting for the new restroom facilities pose for a photo in front of the new restroom facilities during the ribbon cutting event at the Delaware Botanic Gardens.
Taking a Mid-Atlantic road trip? Stop at these native plant gardens along the way.
/Last October, as I approached the two-acre meadow at the Delaware Botanic Gardens, I had to grin at the improbable cotton-candy clouds of pink muhly grass. I’m still amazed that this airy pastel plant is native to the Mid-Atlantic. In 2020, I had planted some muhly grass along my front sidewalk, not really knowing what to expect. The meadow’s grass was probably planted a year or so ahead of mine, which means I can anticipate similar pink clouds wafting above my yard this autumn.
That’s one of the reasons I love to tour gardens across the Mid-Atlantic: They help me to reimagine my little pocket of our ecosystem. Like many across the region who are turning to native plants and trees, I’m trying to boost my environment by choosing species that support pollinators and birds instead of annuals and shrubs that were introduced from other habitats. That motivation fires me up, and my desire for sensory inspiration leads me to explore our regional gardens, many of which feature native varieties.
As we resume road trips across the Mid-Atlantic, it’s easy to plan a refreshing and informative stop or two at these eight lush regional gardens.
Bulbs, and restrooms, set to bloom at DBG
/As the season begins, hours are being extended at the Delaware Botanic Gardens in Dagsboro, new restrooms will soon open and thousands of bulbs planted last fall will bloom into a spectacular display of color beginning around mid-March.
Staff and hard-working volunteers situated 84,000 crocus, tulip and grape hyacinth bulbs with crocuses in shades of lavender, purple, orange and blue. Red, white and yellow tulips will open and grape hyacinths will bloom in pale blue and bright purple.
“Everyone is looking forward to that. The bulbs are planted very close together, lining the pathways in large groups so you get a feel for something very natural,” Director Stephen Pryce Lea said.
“We wanted a colorful walkway from the Welcome Center. I chose four or five types of bulbs in large numbers and put them in bold swaths throughout the meadow among the grasses there. It looks quite amazing now. Even with the temperatures we have had, and snow, we are already seeing crocuses coming up, already an inch or inch and one-half above the ground. Crocus tends to be first. You can get very early ones. They bloom in early March to mid-March. There were no daffodils planted. We wanted to keep it very natural and leave the daffodils for the wild factor elsewhere. We wanted a rainbow palette and other areas have just one variety.
DBG to open 2022 season on March 17
/Ray Sander, president of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) announced this week that the 37-acre botanic gardens near Dagsboro will open for the 2022 season at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 17.
“Our staff and volunteers have been working all winter creating new features for guests to enjoy in a safe natural environment,” Sander said. “We have added to the beauty of the 2-acre Piet Oudolf Meadow Garden by planting 84,000 new spring bulbs. The Folly Garden has a new reflecting pool and an additional 37,500 bulbs to enjoy. Welcome back for the 2022 season of natural beauty and see the gardens and wildlife spring to life again.”
“At noon on opening day, March 17, we invite all to join us, with the Bethany Beach-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate a ‘ribbon cutting’ at our new 800-square-foot restroom building,” said Sheryl Swed, DBG executive director. “This new rustic cedar building is the creative design of award-winning architect Scott Edmonston and his SEA Studio team.
DBG announces new advisory council chair
/Ray Sander, president of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) announced this week that David Small has accepted the invitation to become chair of the DBG Advisory Council.
“David Small has been a member of the Advisory Council since its earliest days,” Sander said. “David’s outstanding leadership on the full range of environmental issues has been a great asset to DBG and even more now as chair of the Advisory Council.”
Small’s 30-year career at DNREC included 14-years as deputy secretary and three years as secretary. His leadership was recognized by his being awarded the Order of the First State, Delaware’s highest civilian honor. He is also the recipient of the 2016 Delaware Public Official of the Year award by the America Public Works Association, and the 2016 Environmental Achievement Award from the Inland Bays Foundation. Small is currently a senior consultant at Verdantas (formerly Duffield Associates), an engineering and consulting firm with offices in Delaware and 29 locations across the country.
David Small
Share: Botanic gardens volunteers to receive governor’s award
/Delaware Botanic Gardens volunteers are among the groups to receive 2021 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards.
Recipients were selected for significant contributions, engagement and impact in diverse service activities.
Ray Sander, Delaware Botanic Gardens president, thanked Gov. John Carney for recognizing the exceptional contribution of the botanic gardens volunteers and especially the tireless work of its garden stewards.
“Public botanical gardens are places of beauty and conservation where the public can enjoy and be educated about the role and importance of horticulture. The Delaware Botanic Gardens is one of the newest public gardens in the United States, and one of the few where volunteers perform the full range of gardening, administrative and management tasks. We are very proud of the thousands of hours that our volunteers have donated. Without their time, energy, and dedication, there would be no beautiful gardens in Sussex County for the community to visit and enjoy,” said Sander.
Delaware Botanic Gardens volunteer garden stewards planted 84,000 new spring bulbs in the Piet Oudolf Meadow. Shown in back are (l-r) Tony Broomfield, Jeanette Akhter, Carl Shuck, Todd Hacker, and Jeff Johnson; middle, Rodney Lau, Bob Arner, Tom Rondeau, Lauren Caro, and Jane Peters. In front are Carol McCloud, Stephen Pryce Lea, George Hammond, Cheryl Millet, Maureen Morano, Debbie Woods, and Beverly Miller.
Electric vehicle chargers installed at botanic gardens
/Ray Sander, president of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG), announced this week that the DBG has two electrical vehicle chargers installed in the main guest parking lot.
“DBG’s core values include environmental stewardship, and we have taken another environmentally-friendly step in giving electric vehicle guests the ability to enjoy the beauty of the gardens while recharging their vehicles,” Sander said. “In this venture, we proudly join our partner, Electric Vehicle Institute (EVI).”
Matthew Wade, chief executive officer of the Electric Vehicle Institute, said, “EVI is pleased to partner with Delaware Botanic Gardens in this important installation of these electric vehicle chargers. We see great synergy between our mission of improving EV mobility in the region and DBG in showcasing nature in a pristine and beautiful setting.”
Dave Baker, DBG treasurer, left, and Ray Sander, DBG president, look over the new electric vehicle charger station.
Veterans, food-bank donors get free admission to botanic gardens on Nov. 11 DBG to close for season on Nov. 14
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The 9-foot-tall DBG Sea Witch, is visited by docents, from right, Sally Scarangella, Judy Martin and Angela Schaab.
Ray Sander, president of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG), announced this week that, on Thursday, Nov. 11 — Veteran’s Day — all veterans showing their military ID cards will have free admission to the Delaware Botanic Gardens in appreciation for their military service to the country. Veterans will also receive a free pass.
In addition, other guests who bring food donations for Food Bank of Delaware will receive free admission.
Botanic gardens to showcase Sea Witch and scarecrows
/Delaware Botanic Gardens will participate in this year’s Sea Witch Festival by creating a unique nine-foot Sea Witch and new scarecrow trail to be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30 and 31.
Butterfly Program Taking Center Stage at Delaware Botanic Gardens
/DAGSBORO, Del.- It is peak season for butterflies and the Delaware Botanic Gardens are the host to many different types of them.
Thursday was the first day of the new program where volunteer teachers talked about the different characteristics of butterflies and what people can do at home to attract them. Following the information session, participants were able to tour the gardens and tally the different butterflies they found. Teacher Margaret Kimmel says there are about twelve different types of butterflies that can be found at the gardens.
Share: Delaware Botanic Gardens to host COVID-19 vaccine clinic July 22 Walk-up clinic participants will receive free DBG admission
/July 13, 2021
Delaware Botanic Gardens will host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, July 22, in collaboration with the Sussex County Bookmobile vaccination partners Sussex County Libraries, Beebe Healthcare and Sussex County Emergency Medical Services.
“We welcome all to get a vaccine shot and then visit our 37-acre gardens for free,” said Ray Sander, DBG president.
“We are so thankful for our community partners like the Delaware Botanic Gardens to be able to offer more Sussex Countians the COVID-19 vaccine that is saving lives during this pandemic,” said Kim Blanch, RN, community service manager for Beebe Healthcare Population Health. “This is a walk-up clinic for those 12 years of age and older. We will be providing both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian to receive the vaccine.”
The Rhyne Garden at DBG is planted with over 12,000 native perennials. SUBMITTED PHOTO