New DBG Leaders

For immediate release January 8, 2019

Ray Sander, President of Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) announced that DBG has added two new leaders to its Board of Directors - Jeremy Hager and Scott Thomas.  Sander said, “Both Jeremy and Scott are devoted professionals who bring unique skills and enthusiasm to help drive our effort to ‘Open the Garden Gates’ in September 2019.”

Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director, said, “I look forward to working with these two exceptional leaders who bring us an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to this legacy garden.”  She also said, “Our Nominating Committee, co-chaired by Carol McCloud and Bob Batley, has done an excellent job finding nominees with vital skill-sets that will help us to “Open the Garden Gates” in 2019.”

Jeremy Hager

Jeremy Hager is President and Founder of The Land Care Advisory Group and Coastal Plant Care in Ocean View, DE.  He is Sussex County’s only ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, and has a passion for educating our coastal community about tree and environmental stewardship.  Jeremy holds a Master of Science Degree (Entomology) and a Bachelor of Science Degree (Environmental Resource Management, Horticulture), from Virginia Polytechnic and State University.

Jeremy has been actively involved in advising the DBG on how to preserve its 12-acre woodland, while the gardens are under construction.  He was National Arborist of the year 2008-2009, and is a United States Arboretum Board member, serving on the Strategic Planning Committee.  He has continued his community outreach as an active public speaker and writer, sharing his arboricultural expertise.

Jeremy Hager
Photo by ray bojarski

Scott Thomas
photo by ray bojarski

Jeremy Hager

Jeremy Hager is President and Founder of The Land Care Advisory Group and Coastal Plant Care in Ocean View, DE.  He is Sussex County’s only ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, and has a passion for educating our coastal community about tree and environmental stewardship.  Jeremy holds a Master of Science Degree (Entomology) and a Bachelor of Science Degree (Environmental Resource Management, Horticulture), from Virginia Polytechnic and State University.

Jeremy has been actively involved in advising the DBG on how to preserve its 12-acre woodland, while the gardens are under construction.  He was National Arborist of the year 2008-2009, and is a United States Arboretum Board member, serving on the Strategic Planning Committee.  He has continued his community outreach as an active public speaker and writer, sharing his arboricultural expertise.

Scott Thomas

Scott Thomas is Executive Director for Southern Delaware Tourism, the Convention & Visitors Bureau for Sussex County, DE.  He has over 13-years of experience in the tourism industry and serves on the Board of Directors for the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee (SEDAC).  Scott excels in the marketing communications arena.  He is the former Director of Sales and Marketing at The Inn at Canal Square in Lewes, DE and was the Corporate Events Marketing Manager for Acterna (a telecommunications company) in Germantown, MD.  He is a business school graduate of the University of Maryland and resides with his wife, Tammy in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

These new leaders join the Board at a critical time as DBG is in the final countdown to “Open the Garden Gates” in September 2019.

DBG has just completed its capital and end-of-year campaigns and reports raising over $806,000 in 2018.  President Ray Sander, said, “We want to thank everyone who is a friend and supporter of DBG.  You and our devoted volunteers are making a dream become a reality.  Please see the newest way to support the Delaware Botanic Gardens by sponsoring a beautiful bench.  Go to www.delawaregardens.org/2019-bench-order.”

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.  The Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

2018 Annual Dinner Party

For immediate release September 12, 2018

Ray Sander, President of Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) announced that the first Fund Raising Dinner Party held at the gardens on September 6 was a great success raising over $101,000.  Sander said, “The key to this success continues to be the generous support of our Garden Champion friends, sponsors, business leaders, and volunteers.  We are blessed with local business Champions, like Ronnie Burkle and Lisa Wheeler of SoDel Concepts; Ted Banks & Kami Banks Kane of Banks Wine & Spirits; Mark Carter of Dogfish Head Brewery; and Zack McCarthy of Coastal Tented Events.”

One of the key fundraising initiatives was a $50,000 challenge from Ron Bass and George Robbins, which was matched by our Garden Champions to reach the $100,000 goal that evening.

After a brief rain shower, the Bourbon Tasting tent, provided by Banks Wines & Spirits, was adorned by a rainbow.

Our dedicated volunteers and staff, led by Gregg Tepper, Director of Horticulture, and Carol McCloud, Docent and Volunteer Coordinator, persevered long hours in the heat and humidity to put the gardens and grounds in picture perfect condition for the Annual Dinner Party.

Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director, said, “The dinner celebrated the completion of the 2-acre Piet Oudolf Meadow Garden.  It is the jewel in the crown of the Gardens designed by internationally known Dutch designer Piet Oudolf.”  The Meadow Garden includes 70,000 herbaceous perennials and grasses.  They were all “hand planted” by our volunteers.

The mission of the Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.  The Delaware Botanic Gardens will celebrate the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

The 2018 Annual Dinner Party Tent

George Robbins, Ray Sander and Ron Bass - The $50,000 Challenge

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Ken Cicerali & Vincent Varrassi

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Rainbow over the Bourbon Tent

All photos by Ray Bojarski

Delaware Community Foundation Presents Grant to DBG

For immediate release July 2, 2018

On June 28, the Delaware Community Foundation presented a $25,000 Capital Grant to the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) to build its new Welcome Center, to enable the gardens to open in 2019.

Representing the Delaware Community Foundation, Bill Allan, Senior Vice President for Southern Delaware, said, “The DCF has been part of this project from the day the Garden first acquired the land from the Sussex County Land Trust.  It’s exciting to witness the gardens evolve from drawings on paper to thousands of plants in the ground.  We can literally see the Garden taking root. The Delaware Community Foundation is excited about the number of people the Garden has the potential to touch.  The Wetland Outdoor Classroom is engaging our young people in the wonders of nature.  It’s also heartening to see all these volunteers working here today.  These dedicated volunteers are themselves being touched by this wonderful project.  The visitors are going to benefit from this same enjoyable experience.  The Delaware Community Foundation is really happy to be part of this great project.”

DBG President Ray Sander said, “The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) plays a vital role in empowering philanthropy throughout our State.  DCF is a unique organization that helps people save and invest money that they would like to donate to deserving causes.  DCF works with potential philanthropists and makes suggestions on how and where to best direct their funds to worthy projects.  The Delaware Community Foundation is where the Delaware Botanic Gardens established our Endowment Fund in 2015.  In this way, DBG is giving back to the community. Our Board strongly believes that DBG should be a giver as well as a receiver.  Today we are the fortunate receiver of a $25,000 capital grant, which will help us to build our Welcome Center.  The DCF grant will be covering a major part of the initial building costs, and DBG will also be covering a large portion of the center’s outfitting cost.”

DBG Executive Director Sheryl Swed said, “On behalf of the entire DBG team, we want to thank the Delaware Community Foundation for this generous and timely Capital Grant for the Welcome Center. This structure is an essential element of our 2019 Public Opening.  The Welcome Center will be the focal point of our interactions with visitors. This is where visitors will pay their admission, become members and purchase DBG merchandise and plants. Like all the major garden paths, the Welcome Center will be ADA compatible.”

Director of Horticulture, Gregg Tepper, is creating the center’s immediate garden environment. He said, “The Welcome Center will be the first impression our visitors will experience.  It will be the threshold that moves visitors from the parking-entry garden area into the full experience of the gardens.  The center is a very important part of our whole garden experience.  We are grateful for the Delaware Community Foundation support.”

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.  The Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

Front row from left, Carol McCloud, Sheryl Swed, Bill Allan and Ray Sander and back row from left, Scott Thomas, Sally Boswell, Gregg Tepper, Ron Bass, Brent Baker and Cam Yorkston
Photo by Ray Bojarski

Longwood Garden Students Help DBG

For immediate release June 26, 2018

On June 21 Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) hosted 25 student interns from Longwood Gardens. DBG President Ray Sander said, “Longwood is the gold standard of public gardens. We have all been inspired by Longwood Gardens. The Longwood Foundation’s generous and creative philanthropy empowered the DBG project in 2015. Now DBG’s relationship with the Longwood excellence has an additional connection with the timely help from these future leaders trained at Longwood Gardens. We are sincerely thankful for Longwood Gardens and their students.”

DBG had just received 30,000 new plants the day before the Longwood students visited DBG. DBG Director of Horticulture Gregg Tepper welcomed the students and conducted a tour of the gardens. Then the students went to work weeding the garden to prepare for planting and then transferred plants from the temporary nursery to the lower section of the Meadow. Gregg observed, “Such talented young people with boundless enthusiasm! They worked hard and made a significant contribution!”

DBG Executive Director Sheryl Swed thanked Longwood’s Director of Domestic and International Studies, Dr. Brian W. Trader, and Gregg Tepper for their leadership in making the working visit possible! Dr. Trader replied, “I wanted to thank you for your hospitality and for engaging with our students. You should be proud of the progress and I look forward to returning in the fall. Congratulations!”

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all. The Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

Longwood students with Sheryl Swed and Ray Sander
Photo by ray bojarski

York, PA Girl Scouts Create Garden at DBG

On June 18, Girl Scouts from Troop 20566, York, PA created a new garden project at the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) in Dagsboro, DE.  The 15 Girl Scouts and 9 adults worked on preparing this project for months.  They selected 500 plants and 4 redbud trees, which they planted on one very hot day.

Co-Troop Leader Wendy Brister explained, “We have been working on this project since March, raising money by selling native plants, and we have been learning about native plants in troop meetings.  Our emphasis was teaching the importance of pollinators in the garden.”

DBG President Ray Sander said, “This is a very special day.  This sets the example of how DBG will work with the Girl and Boy Scout organizations in the area.”  He pointed out that the troop co-leader, Wendy Brister, is a longtime supporter of Delaware Botanic Gardens. He told Wendy, “Your troop’s donation of plants and hard work has greatly enhanced the garden’s natural beauty.”

DBG Director of Horticulture Gregg Tepper said, “I’m excited about how this Girl Scout project turned out.  The dedication and generosity of Girl Scout Troop 20566 is here for all our visitors to enjoy as they walk along the western edge of Woodland Garden.”

Troop 20566 is part of the Echo Valley Community of Girl Scouts Heart of Pennsylvania.  They meet in eastern York County and the Girl Scouts attend Eastern York School District and Central York School District.  Co-Troop leader Marie Moore also explained that they are an unusual group because Troop 20566 is composed of mixed age groups including Brownies (grades 3 and 4), Juniors (grades 4 and 5) and Cadets (grades 6, 7 and 8).  “We all stay together and learn together,” Marie said.  Girl Scout Catarina Brigham observed, “This is such a pretty and calming place, I like the gardens.”

Executive Director Sheryl Swed said, “As a former Girl Scout, I am so proud of these young women and their wonderful contribution to the beauty of the gardens.”

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.  The Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

Troop 20566 & adult leaders Marie Moore & Wendy Brister on  Mound in Meadow Garden with dbg hosts sheryl swed, left & gregg tepper, right
photo by ray bojarski

New DBG Leaders

For Immediate Release June 15, 2018

The President of Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) Ray Sander announced the election of two new Board of Directors members at DBG.  Sander said, “As DBG continues the journey to open in 2019, we are honored to have an outstanding team of devoted Delmarva volunteers, who are bringing the gardens to life.” He continued, “Ron and Brent have been volunteer leaders and generous financial contributors to our gardens.”  The new Board members are:

Ronald Bass is a resident of Rehoboth Beach, DE.  He holds a BS in business administration from the University of Baltimore.  He worked for the Social Security Administration for 30 years.  Ron has devoted himself to community service.  Upon retirement, he worked as a volunteer with the Baltimore City mayor’s office on architectural projects in the city and volunteered for over 10 years managing the Otterbein Community Parks.  The parks system consisted of seven different parks spread throughout the community and included infrastructure maintenance, planting contracts, lighting coordination with the city along with simple planting and watering duties.  He is a devoted volunteer at DBG.

Brent Baker is a resident of Millville, DE.  He began his love of nature in the Boy Scouts, where he reached the rank of Eagle Scout.  He has 45 years of Communication-PR experience.  He served on active military duty for 29 years, and retired as the Navy’s Chief of Information with the rank of Rear Admiral.  Brent then served as a professor and the Dean of the College of Communication, Boston University.  He holds a BS in Communications from Northwestern University and an MS in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin.  Brent brings his communications expertise to DBG serving as our Communications Advisor.  He is a lifelong gardener and volunteers as one of the DBG Garden Stewards.

DBG Executive Director Sheryl Swed also announced that Carol McCloud, the Vice President of the Board, a resident of Fenwick Island, has assumed new duties as the DBG Garden Stewards’ and Docents’ Coordinator.  Sheryl said, “As we approach the opening of the gardens we thank all our volunteers who have been key to getting the gardens ready for visitors.  Now, we need more volunteers to help us become operational in 2019.  If you enjoy gardening, we need you.  If you would like to be a DBG hospitality volunteer, we need you too.  Please go to our website www.delawaregardens.org and click on Join Us.”

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.  The Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

Ron Bass

Brent Baker

Carol McCloud

Students Engage Nature at DBG

For immediate release June 4, 2018

On May 31, thirty-two Sussex Central High School students visited the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) in Dagsboro, DE to observe nature and conduct various projects. The junior-year students were welcomed by Ray Sander, President of DBG, who said, “DBG is in the beginning of a long-journey and we are very proud to have these young scholars as participants on this journey.” He said he hoped they would return next year when the DBG will be open to the public.

Students with Gregg Tepper
Photo by Ray Bojarski

Ryan Revel, a biology teacher, organized the field trip with Sheryl Swed, the Executive Director of DBG. Swed explained that the Sussex Central students were the first student group to visit the garden, as part of a “pilot” educational field trip. She explained, “This is the beginning of the DBG education program.”

Ryan explained, “The science part of our International Baccalaureate DP Program requires that students do something called a group four project. At Sussex Central, we teach two group four courses, biology and chemistry. The content of the courses is college level. Students take these courses over a period of two years. The project is collaborative in nature and is a required element.”

The two-hour visit began with students recording the weather conditions, which affect the plants and observations in the garden.  Then there was a tour of the gardens led by Gregg Tepper, Director of Horticulture. He explained how the various plants support the wildlife in the gardens. Therefore, it is a “living” garden. Observing the meadow garden, student Ryan Sosnoski said, “I like the diversity of plants here.”  Walking in the much cooler Woodland Garden, student Ashleigh Steele said, “I like the variety of environments within the gardens, there is something for everybody.”

After the tour, the students assembled at the Wetland Outdoor Classroom.  They divided into three basic groups. One group studied the native plants as they prepared a “Field Guide” of 30 native plants. The second group began taking water samples at the Wetland Outdoor Classroom, and the third group began to take “soil samples” at the Wetland Outdoor Classroom. The Wetland Outdoor Classroom was designed and constructed by Todd Fritchman and Envirotech. Dogfish Head has generously underwritten the costs of this important learning feature.

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Teachers Ryan Revel and Kristen Ables with students
Photo by ray bojarski

The chemistry teacher, Kristen Ables said, “Field work is always the best, and I’m looking forward to comparing these water and soil samples with the data you already have.”  The samples went back to the classroom for further study.

Ryan Revel summed up the Sussex Central High School visit saying, “I think a lot of learning happened here today. I envision these students bringing their children here someday. It is amazing to me that so much of the information Gregg Tepper shared today was so similar to what I have said in the classroom. This visit magnified many of those teaching points.”

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all. The Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

Dutch Land Again in Delaware

For immediate release May 7, 2018

Over 300 years ago, the Dutch settlers arrived to establish the first town in Delaware, now the town of Lewes, DE.

On May 3-4, there was another Dutch landing when the internationally renowned Dutch Garden Designer, Piet Oudolf landed near Dagsboro, DE, at the new Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG).  Piet was in Delaware to supervise the gardens’ 100 volunteers planting nearly 18,000 new native perennials in the 2-acre Meadow Garden. This planting took two days, and added to the 17,000 native perennials planted last September.

To mark this occasion a Sip & Saunter celebration for garden supporters and volunteers was held on Friday May 4. The Sip & Saunter celebration was the first public onsite event, and was made more festive by the support of Dogfish Head Brewery.

Attending the celebration were state and local government officials, including U.S. Senator Tom Carper and State Representative Ron Gray.

Standing in the center of the meadow, Rep. Ron Gray presented Piet with a tribute proclamation from the Delaware House of Representatives, stating,

DBG President Ray Sander said, “The 2-acre Meadow Garden, designed by Piet Oudolf, is the jewel in the crown of DBG. When completely planted in June 2018, this Garden will have 70,000 perennials and grasses. We are thankful that Piet took the time to be with our garden friends, sponsors and volunteers, who are making the garden, come to life. While we are still building, our gardens will begin to be open to the public sometime in 2019.

The mission of the Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

The Delaware Botanic Gardens will celebrate the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

Behind the Scenes Preview at Delaware Botanic Gardens

For immediate release April 9, 2018

There is a rare opportunity for people who love nature and gardening to have a Behind the Scenes preview at the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) in Dagsboro on May 4.  Bear in mind that the gardens are being built from scratch by Delmarva professionals and volunteers.  As Ray Sander, President of DBG, states “not many people have ever seen the birth of a botanic garden in the first stage of development.”  In fact, over 50 local and visiting volunteers will have just added 30,000 plants to the Meadow Garden.  Be among the first to see this garden.

Piet Oudolf working in the Delaware Botanic Gardens meadow
Photo by ray bojarski

The centerpiece of this event is a chance to meet Piet Oudolf, the internationally renowned Dutch garden designer, who will be walking the Meadow path and discussing his iconic design.

Dogfish Head Brewery is the sponsor of this DBG fundraising event, so you can “Sip and Saunter” through the Meadow Garden.  Sander believes, “this is truly a rare behind the scenes preview of what will become a wonderful experience for both locals and visitors”.

For more information about this fund raising event and to purchase tickets, visit the DBG website at www.delawaregardens.org/new-events/2018-sip-and-saunter.  You may also text, call Sheryl Swed at 202-262-9856 or email her at sherylswed@delawaregardens.org for details.

Celebrate Spring with DBG

For immediate release March 2, 2018

Gardeners are beginning to get their boots wet, as they survey their slowly waking gardens.  The early daffodils are up. Gardeners everywhere will soon be planting.  On a larger scale, that’s what’s happening at the new Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) at Pepper Creek.

Gregg Tepper, DBG Director of Horticulture, observed, “With warmer temperatures arriving and increasing day length, I’m seeing many of the perennials planted last year in the Meadow Garden beginning to break the soil surface showing that spring will soon be here.”

The 2-acre Meadow Garden, designed by internationally known Dutch designer, Piet Oudolf is the jewel in the crown of DBG. When completely planted, this garden will have 70,000 herbaceous perennials and grasses.

DBG needs support for its next spring planting of 30,000 herbaceous perennials and grasses, which our volunteers will lovingly “hand plant” in late April-early May.

Ray Sander, President of Delaware Botanic Garden (DBG) said, “We call on our Delmarva neighbors and friends to support the second phase of the planting of the Piet Oudolf Meadow Garden.”

A www.gofundme.com/DelawareBotanicGardens has been set up for those wishing to contribute to the purchase of plants for the Meadow Garden.

The mission of the Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all. The Delaware Botanic Gardens will celebrate the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.

Further information on the Delaware Botanic Gardens, including membership, and volunteering go to www.delawaregardens.org and www.facebook.com/delawaregardens.

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Sedum in the Folly Garden
by Ray Borjarski