Delaware Botanic Gardens From Dream to Reality Annual Report 2019

“In an unlikely place, a soybean field became a botanic garden. It’s naturalistic, it’s dynamic, and it gets more interesting with each passing month of the season. For its maker, it allows countless permutations of plant combos. For the viewer, no matter how seasoned, it provides the thrill of discovering new varieties. Creating so much from nothing gets to the essence and power of garden making. This is why we do it, to create a paradise out of thin air. Dream a space, make it real, and let it speak to us.” —Adrian Higgins, The Washington Post, September 23, 2019 FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT & THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Delaware Botanic Gardens opened to the public in 2019. This was 7 years after our incorporation, 4 years after our first major grant. The Dream has become a Reality. As we all celebrate this success, we also reflect about other worthy projects that have not been so fortunate. They failed before achieving their goal. We recall the Nonprofit Boards that have dissolved OUR MISSION is over internal disputes. We think of all the unfulfilled plans that never get further to create a world- than a draft. We consider all the dreams that never are realized. We are humbled class, inspirational, by the dedication, persistence and unconditional support this project has received. educational, and sustainable public We sincerely thank all who have volunteered over the course of this effort — botanic garden in those who have served as Board Members and especially the 2018-2019 Board southern Delaware who have contributed so much to the completion of this remarkable effort. Our for the benefit and Garden Stewards who have tirelessly planted, weeded and grown the Garden The project has also received the active support of the Sussex County legislators, enjoyment of all. in the cold and heat without ever losing heart. And our Docents who have led by Senators Hocker, Collins, Wilson, Bonini, and former Senator Venables; graciously welcomed and enhanced our Guests’ visitor experiences. Representatives Schwartzkopf, Short, Gray and Dukes. They have enabled DBG OUR VISION is for We are still amazed by the creative genius of Piet Oudolf who generously gave infrastructure projects to be included in the 2019 and 2020 Delaware Bond beautiful, engaging us his magical Meadow design, instantly making DBG a destination for garden Bills. The project has also received invaluable support from the professionals gardens that inspire enthusiasts from around the world. at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and educate. (DNREC), the Department of Transportation, and the Center for the Inland Bays We stand in awe of our business partners who have always done more than (CIB) who substantially aided the gardens’ development. OUR VALUES required by their contracts. These amazing firms have also made substantial pro The importance of this project has been affirmed by the wide public network encompass inspirational bono donations enabling the project to be completed within our limited budget created by Carla Markell and the Advisory Council through their moral support gardens, environmental — Pennoni Associates, George & Lynch, Bancroft Construction, RAS Landscape and leadership. stewardship, community Architects, Lake/Flato Architects, WN Builders, Nickle Electric, Delaware focus, education and Electrical Cooperative, SEA Studio Architects, Dogfish Head Companies, SoDel We are thankful to the Sussex County Council, the Sussex research, organizational Concepts, Banks Wine & Spirits, Coastal Tented Events, Good Earth Market, County Land Trust and the Sussex Conservation District transparency, financial Envirotech, Coastal Plant Care, Baird Mandalas Brockstedt, Rockport Analytics for their foresight to preserve the 37-acres that have been responsibility, and Charles R. Anderson Family, and Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce. transformed into the Delaware Botanic Gardens. civility and respect. We are also indebted to the horticultural support we have received from the We are also grateful for the media support the project has great nurseries that have supplied the trees, shrubs, grasses and bulbs which received from our great local newspapers, especially the celebrate our Coastal Plain gardens, especially New Moon, Kurt Bluemel, Cape Gazette, the Coastal Point and the News Journal. Putnam Hill, Rare Find, North Creek, Hoffman, Cavano’s Perennials, Babikow Greenhouses, East Coast Garden Center, Gateway Garden Center, Foxborough, Lastly, we are indebted to the hundreds of donors and Delmarva Environmental, Chief Mountain Farms, and Blessings Greenhouses. members who embraced the vision and generously contributed to make the Dream a Reality. We know this project could never have become a reality without the fundraising strategy, guidance and supportive counsel of Cam and Kathy Yorkston. Yorkston This is the Community that has created the Delaware Botanic Gardens. We are Consulting has empowered DBG to raise over $3.7 million. Their bridges to the inspired by all of you and thank you for joining us in this remarkable journey. Region’s creative philanthropic foundations enabled this project to secure our This entire dedicated and enthusiastic community empowered the project to our first grant from the Longwood Foundation and the succeeding grants from the 2019 opening. As we look to 2020, we renew our commitment to DBG’s mission Welfare Foundation, the Crystal Trust Foundation, the Ellice & Rosa McDonald and present to you Phase One of the Delaware Botanic Gardens. Foundation, the Marmot Foundation the Crestlea Foundation, the Delaware Community Foundation and the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust. Raymond J. Sander Sheryl J. Swed President Executive Director

2 3 Piet Oudolf Upper Meadow Garden Design Opening the Delaware Botanic Gardens In 2019, DBG officially opened its gates, bringing the dream of building a public garden in Delmarva to reality. The Folly Garden bloomed brightly with over 30,000 spring bulbs; the Oudolf Meadow Garden amazed us with its seasonal intricacies; and the Knoll Garden in the Woodlands gave us a view of our sensitive Pepper Creek edge. DBG was the focal point for several major events, including the May Bugs & Beer Learning Garden Lecture, the August Sip & Saunter in the Meadow, and the September Fundraising Dinner with special attendee, Piet Oudolf. Over 30 Special Tours were conducted throughout the year which began an “The Delaware garden, in its layout of paths important revenue stream. In addition, the Gardens through, rather than around, an immersive welcomed visits from our elected federal and state herbaceous landscape, reminds me of a similarly officials and representatives from the leading regional scaled creation at Durslade Farm in England, philanthropic foundations. Our 2019 visitors included where the Oudolf Field is part of the art gallery service groups, academia, members and stakeholders, campus known as Hauser & Wirth Somerset. other gardens and garden clubs, environmental non- Oudolf sees major differences in the plant profit organizations, and the public. palette between them, but in both cases he has As a public garden is always a “work in progress”, transformed what were once empty farm fields. … 2019 activities continued with maintenance and The fact that a shapeless plot can be turned into a enhancements to existing gardens, as well as planting garden with its own form, character, and especially, the rare Inland Dunes Gardens and positioning the spirit of place, is nothing short of miraculous.” 2 Charles Anderson Holly Collection along adjacent Meadow paths. The Entry Garden parking area with To maximize visualization of our botanic garden, we over 250 spaces was constructed and finished; the held our annual garden party during Piet’s favorite Welcome Center was readied for opening including “5th Season” the time of transition from summer to the addition of a Point of Sale capability; and garden autumn (September–November) when aesthetic paths were refreshed for safety and ADA-compliance qualities are most prominent. The gardens were to support public visitation. We also constructed the awash in seed heads as summer flowers senesced, “Rhyne Garden” grassy conveyance that manages perennial grasses shone in the sunlight, and stormwater runoff from the parking area. Design feathery bands of muted pink muhly grasses kept began on the environmentally protective rain gardens the Meadow alive with color. Greenery remained that will be installed along the conveyance in 2020 understated in the 2019 Anderson Holly Collection funded through a grant from DNREC’s Nonpoint and within the Woodland Gardens among the Source Program. deciduous trees. In contrast, red berries from both American and wintergreen holly varieties were on Our Offerings prominent display for our visitors and ready as Aesthetics and Inspiration: The DBG Meadow nutrition for DBG’s winter wildlife population. Garden presents itself as a model of aesthetics with In 2019, DBG gave the public a smorgasbord of Piet Oudolf’s vision: beauty not only in terms of aesthetic “beauty.” flowering color, but also in plant 1) texture, depth, and form; 2) character, seasonality and ambiance; Environmental and Horticultural Education: Throughout 2019, DBG continued to meet its and 3) spontaneity and inspiration.1 DBG provides education mission by delivering horticultural Delaware Botanic Gardens 2019 our public a place to physically and mentally workshops and presentations; conducting by the Numbers connect with natural Delaware coastal gardens prearranged tours; and hosting academic visitors.3 whether for relaxation, recreation, conservation, or Landscape architectural students from the University 320 2,037 1,287 30|200 550 education purposes. Memberships Total Guests Admissions Prearranged Event of Delaware, students from the Longwood Gardens’ at the Site (4th Qtr. 2019) Tours|Attendance Attendance 1Munro, Lucy, “Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf,” The Planthunter, Issue 51, July 05, 2018 2Adrian Higgins, The Washington Post (see cover page). September 23, 2019 4 3 See “Programs and Events” 5 programs, the staff of the Adkins Arboretum, the Karen Steenhoudt recommended employing this inland dune “habitat of conservation concern,”5 Using a grant from Sussex Master Gardeners, the Girl Scouts (Troop innovative living shoreline concepts along DBG’s DBG provides a research environment for study the Stanley Smith 20566) from York, PA, Delaware Forest Service’s Pepper Creek edge such as tree root-wad and branch of: 1) its feasibility to persist, and 2) the ecological Horticultural Trust, Urban & Community Forest conference attendees, stands to secure the eroding shoreline and increase and life-sustaining interactions between wildlife DBG acquired and Rehoboth Beach Village Improvement Association, bank stabilization. This living shoreline will create pollinator species and their coastal plant hosts. implemented plant the Coastal Camera Club, and Camp Rehoboth were important ecological habitat to protect and add management software In 2019, we were awarded a research grant from all welcomed. The Learning Garden, sponsored by resilience to our valuable coastal resource. A visitor to record each accession DNREC to demonstrate the reduction of nonpoint Dogfish Head Brewery, accommodated a hands-on observation platform will serve to educate residents in our collection and source pollution using Best Management Practices lecture about wetland invertebrates at a “Bugs & and developers on the effectiveness and use of this the GPS location (BMP’s) in stormwater management. Brian Trader, Beer” lecture by Todd Fritchman from Envirotech. new natural technology. of each species in our Director of Horticulture, began the process of our garden. Work is Todd explained, “There was profound interest generated Another very important research project, the identifying the required plantings and sources to underway to document reestablishment of ancient inland dunes that were employ stormwater BMP’s in the DBG Entry Garden. as the class got literally wet and into the experience.” over 70,000 Meadow once native to the coastal forests of southern These include 1) rain gardens for our “designer Learning Garden sponsor Mariah Calagione said, “We Garden herbaceous Delaware4, was well underway in 2019. Five dune ditches” (i.e. the Rhyne Garden conveyance); are proud to be partners with DBG and it’s exciting to plants, perennials, and constructs were completed in 2018 around the 2) large canopy trees across imperviously paved see the Wetlands Outdoor Classroom in action with a grasses; over 30,000 Wetland Outdoor Classroom. In 2019, the dune parking areas; and 3) native vegetation for pollutant Red Maple (Acer rubrum wonderful instructor like Todd.” Folly Garden bulbs and habitat was brought to life when our Garden filtering on the floor of the two stormwater basins. ‘Brandywine’) for the Entry Garden shrubs; and the 12-acre In August, we continued our partnership with Stewards populated the dunes with wild lupine, Upon completion in 2020, visitor surveys will capture Woodland Garden native vegetation with accession academia by hosting a group of University of Delaware critical host plant for the globally-rare frosted elfin metrics on the effectiveness of DBG education and data: species name, date and number propagated; Landscape Architecture students. Thirty students and butterfly; wild indigo, beach sedges, sea oats, and knowledge transfer of these techniques. several faculty members from the Department of Plant 1800 low-bush blueberries, all able to sustain life and garden/geospatial locations. All records will and Soil Sciences enjoyed a tour of DBG and a Master on the savannah-like, grassy habitat. In recreating Garden Information Accessibility: Recording all be maintained in IrisBG, an advanced collection Planning workshop about how the DBG Master Plan acquisitions, species names, collection locations, and management system for botanic gardens. other pertinent information is a critical role played was brought to life, delivered by President Ray Sander This year we also added an interactive map to by a public botanic garden. This serves to perpetuate and Executive Director Sheryl Swed. our website that highlights the three sections of its diverse plant communities for posterity, and the Meadow Garden and the plants and grasses Conservation Research: Several 2019 projects specifically in DBG’s case, the fragile native Delaware contained in each one along with pictorial spring, epitomize DBG’s readiness to provide research value coastal habitats its gardens represent. These habitats June and summer bloom guides. The interactive to the community in concurrence with its charge of are being lost to development, recreational overuse, maps exhibit Piet Oudolf’s approach to garden protecting its environmentally sensitive shoreline and and in some cases, sea level rise, hence the need for design: first sketching the garden shape and preferred plant habitats. collection and preservation. plant textures, followed by selecting the actual plants The “Living Shoreline Project” is funded by DNREC for color and contrast.6 in partnership with the Center for the Inland Bays.

For her 2019 Temple University Capstone Project, 4Special to the Delaware News Journal, “Restoring ancient Delaware dune forest”, delawareonline.com, March 17, 2015 University of Delaware Students Discuss DBG Master Plan 52015 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan, DNREC, dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/dwap/Pages/default.aspx 6 6delawaregardens.org/plant-collections 7 Piet Oudolf Middle Meadow Garden Design

Our Professionals Horticulturist: In August 2019, Brian W. Trader, PhD was appointed as DBG’s Deputy Executive Director Since inception, DBG has been fortunate to and Director of Horticulture. Dr. Trader worked the attract top business, scientific, aerial photography last nine years at Longwood Gardens, the recognized and other field professionals to its staff, Board of “gold standard” of public gardens, where he served Directors, Advisory Council, volunteer force, business as Director of Domestic and International Studies. partners, and community organizations. Our Board He has authored and co-authored dozens of journal of Directors represents executive leadership from articles. Dr. Trader holds a PhD in Horticulture; M.S. communications, marketing, finance, information in Life Sciences; and B.S. in Horticulture all from technology, education, government, science, and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. He was Chair of the tourism. Our Advisory Council 7 is led by Carla Membership Advisory Council, National Association Markell, Former First Lady of Delaware and is of Landscape Professionals; and is on the board of supported by prominent members of our business, the American Society for Horticultural Science. landscape architecture and environmental Director of Grounds & Facilities: Samuel Cashdollar communities. Some of our 2019 professionals: studied Architectural Engineering at Delaware Tech Meadow Garden Designer: Piet Oudolf, and Engineering Technology at UD. His work internationally renowned Dutch plantsman and experience includes surveying, drafting and author, is the designer of DBG’s superstar Meadow stormwater management planning. Since joining Garden. Early in the DBG planning process, DBG staff in 2015, Sam has been instrumental in our leaders engaged Piet to design the 2-acre designing and building garden infrastructure such Meadow Garden using his “New Perennial” matrix as irrigation through the woodland, French drains in gardening approach. Piet’s gardens truly represent the storm-flooded Meadow Garden, and ADA- our native Delaware coastline plant communities: compliant trails throughout the gardens. He provides self-sustaining perennials and grasses situated in DBG with expertise in CAD technology for garden disease-resistant swaths and patterns that allow engineering design. hearty wildlife interaction. Piet’s vitae includes the Arborist: Jeremy Hager is President and Founder of High Line and the Battery Park gardens (New York The Land Care Advisory Group and Coastal Plant City), Lurie Garden at Millennium Park (Chicago), Care in Ocean View, DE. He is Sussex County’s only Toronto Botanical Garden Entry Walk, and now the ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. Since joining Delaware Botanic Gardens.8 Piet returns periodically the DBG Board of Directors in early 2019, Jeremy to collaborate with DBG staff and volunteers about has taken an interest in the Woodland Gardens, the Meadow. identifying rarer species that reside there, pruning tree limbs for public safety, tending the new holly 7 delawaregardens.org/leadership 8https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet_Oudolf; https://oudolf.com/ collection, and providing leadership and education 8 to our volunteers and staff. 9 Environmental Scientist: Carol Bason, a volunteer, a green technology building, teaching an ecology provides DBG with her knowledge of coastal class, or supporting a DBG event, our sponsors and ecology, wetland science, and public policy; and partners literally paved the way for DBG’s first year of her experience consulting to the government sector. opening. These contributions were made pro bono, Piet Oudolf Lower Meadow Garden Design She supports fundraising efforts to meet DBG’s at a reduced rate, or as a donation of goods and preservation and conservation goals. services to ensure DBG’s sustainability. These special organizations are cited in this Annual Report’s Our Supporting Community opening letter and on our website.9 Garden Steward Volunteer Force: As examples of Communicating information to the public about the capabilities and qualifications of our 200-plus our plant collections, science, preservation, and volunteer community that built DBG into a reality, conservation is an integral part of DBG’s mission. we feature three of our Garden Stewards who, in Under the leadership of Communications Director, 2019, took on extra responsibilities to become garden Brent Baker, multiple mass media methods were task leaders and provide their expertise to others to employed to inform, educate, and reach out to the ensure the viability of our gardens for opening. public to increase knowledge and awareness about Angela Schaab, as Task Leader of the Meadow our plant communities and their importance in the Garden, helped restore and sustain Piet Oudolf’s coastal environment. design throughout 2019. Angela was a professional landscaper who designed gardens for the restoration of historic homes and restored native plant communities following extreme weather events. She has volunteered at DBG for the last three years. From 1985-2012, Jan Poli ran a floral design studio that specialized in designing custom floral arrangements, interior/exterior gardens, and special event displays. In 2019, Jan managed the Folly Garden, adding new and unique garden structures. She created a place reminiscent of her own “Secret Garden” at the Folly. Piet’s 2019 reception with Brian and guests As a volunteer since 2016, Craig Haggerty works with staff to chronicle DBG’s plant collections. She DBG partnered with the news media to carry our manages the hoop houses inventory, plant labeling message to a broader public audience. With the and location, and plant database. Craig’s expertise Southern Delaware Tourism Office, our stories comes to us from incorporating high tech into math were publicized in The Washington Post, USA Today, education. Her love of gardens began with visits to Delaware News Journal, Coastal Point, Cape Gazette, Dumbarton Oaks, a Harvard research institute and Delaware Beach Life, Coastal Style, and Delmarva public garden near her home in DC. Sharing her Today. Thirteen news releases were issued, averaging expertise ensures the future of DBG’s collections three major media stories per month. DBG was to posterity. featured on Delmarva Life (WBOC-TV), Delmarva Potting Shed (WGMD-FM) hosted by East Coast During the 2019 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, State Garden Center owners Valery and Rick Cordrey, and Senator Gerald Hocker was spot on when he said Taylor Goebel’s Multi-media Blast. “Today we celebrate this public garden built by the community, for the community ….You made it happen. In 2019, DBG earned Delaware’s Fundraising And I can’t thank the volunteers enough because 37,000 Communications Excellence (FACE) Award for our estimated volunteer hours—we couldn’t have opened 2018 Annual Report. The brochure’s graphic design this without you.” was outstanding and featured spectacular DBG photography. The report communicated our 2018 Sponsors and Partners: In conjunction with our accomplishments and our continued commitment volunteer force, our generous community of sponsors to our mission values: inspiring the public, educating and business partners made it possible for DBG by example, sustaining our coastal environment, to be open during 2019. Whether constructing engaging the community, and envisioning the future. infrastructure such as the parking area, designing

9 10 delawaregardens.org/partners 11 The proof of our volunteer’s dedication is that because Programs & Events • Radio WGMD –FM Interview (10/16/19) 2019 garden stewards of them, we were ready to open in 2019. When Piet • Parson’s Farm Trunk or Treat (10/26/19) Oudolf returned to the gardens, he walked the Meadow SPECIAL EVENTS • Radio WXDE-FM Interview, “Delmarva Potting Shed” • “Bugs & Beer” (5/17/19) Garden with Brian Trader and the volunteer task (11/9/19) • “Sip & Saunter” (6/13/19) • Southern Delaware Tourism Awards (12/11/19) leaders. At the Grand Opening Dinner, Piet said, “I • DBG Annual Meeting (7/22/19) design the gardens, but it is the gardeners who must • Board, Piet Oudolf & Volunteer Dinner (9/11/19) EXHIBITS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE tend to the gardens, and keep it for others to enjoy.” • Grand Opening Dinner Party (9/12/19) • Tanger Outlets Volunteer Day (4/9/19) • Jane’s Reliable Peace, Love and Earth Day (4/27/19) McGoldrick, Randy Price, Whitney Smith, Sheila • Public Grand Opening (9/16/19) McGoldrick, Sandy Carver Academy Smith, Thomas • Ribbon Cutting, DBG – Bethany Beach – Fenwick • Center for the Inland Bays (CIB) Native Plant Sale McGrellis, Andy Quirk, Cheryl Smoot, Dina Island Chamber of Commerce (9/19/19) (5/4/19) McGrellis, Diane Rafter, Di Spraul, Gretchen • Bear Trap Dunes Community Volunteer Days (5/19) McNamee, Bonnie Ravida, Margaret Steenhoudt, Karen EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES • Beach to Bay Cottage Tour Sponsor (7/20/19) McNamee, Mac Reinholt, Sholom Stock, Denise • Capstone Project Landscape Architecture, Temple • Girl Scouts Volunteer Day (Troop 20566, York, PA) McQuaid, Phil Richards, Kathryn Stokes, Gary University: “Living Shoreline Concept Design at the (8/7/19) Monheim, Eva Rives, Elizabeth Stokes, Jane Delaware Botanic Gardens”, Karen Steenhoudt (5/8/19) • Camp Rehoboth Volunteer Days (8/19) Moore, Christine Robbins, George Stradley, Clay Akhter, Jeanette Dudley, Karen Jackson, Mary Ann • Carver Academy Special Education & Counseling • Camp Rehoboth Beach Farmer’s Market (8/19) Baker, Brent Easton, Lorraine Jaques, David Morano, Maureen Ryan, Maureen Strobel, Diane (5/1/19) Bass, Ronald Ellingsworth, Vernon Kachline, Donald Morris, Susan Sander, Ray Stuhl, Judy • Dagsboro Night Out (10/26/19) Battista, Tom Federman, Linda Kimmel, Margaret Moses, Julie Santorelli, Pauline Suter, Bob • Delaware Forest Service’s Urban & Community Forestry • Parsons Farm Trunk & Treat (10/26/19) Bramhall, Conner Ferguson, Lester King, Bob Moyle, Patricia Saville, Garland Swed, Sheryl Program, 20-state coordinators meeting (5/15/19) • Easter Seals “Walk with Me” Sponsor (10/1019) Brattoli, Lorraine Filiaggi, Antoinette King, Karen Nee, Peggy Scarangella, Sally Switzer, Pam • “Bugs & Beer” Learning Garden Lecture (5/17/19) Broomfield, Tony Finley, Anne Carol Kircher, Peggy Nelson, Joyce Schaab, Angela Thompson, Mardi • Docent Training (8/6/19) PREARRANGED AND PUBLIC TOURS Buono, Donna Fisher, Elaine Klima, Donald Nichols, Megan Schaab, Kurt Tranfaglia, Kyle • Master’s Degree Class, University of Delaware • Delaware Nature Society (1/24/19) Nowell, Karen Schneiderman, Karen Tull, Carl Bushong, Marjorie Fisher, Rick Kugler, Maureen Landscape Architecture - Bridge Project (8/14/19) • Delaware Wild Lands & DNREC (2/8/19) Carroll, Jane Fishkin, Joelle Kuharich, Dan Okin, Patricia Scire, Mathew Turchen, Stephen • Rob Durfrey Bulb Tour (4/2/19) O’Hare, Sharyn Seaman, Virginia Udinski, Peggy Chulis, Elayne Foy, Nikki Lasher, Michele PRESENTATIONS—COMMUNITY OUTREACH • Tanger Outlets Tour (4/9/19) Clausen, Ruth Froman, Judy Lear, Liz Palmerino, Edward Seawald, Jean Veale, Cathy • Acorn Garden Club, Bethesda, MD (1/14/19) Cole, Jeremy Gallagher, Martha Lesperance, Kathy Patterson, Erika Sharp, Anne Venezia, Joey • Selbyville Women’s Club Bulb Tour (4/11/19) Collins, Kathy Garbisch, David Lewis, Kathy Pelton, Gail Shawley, Dianne Warren, Benjamin • Radio Rehoboth Interview, WWSX-FM, DE (1/14/19) • Hanson & Kings Creek Garden Club Bulb Tour Cooney, Sue Gaulding, Carol Lister, Al (Ernest) Peters, Jane Shelton, Kathy Warren, Noell • Seashore State Park Lecture, DE (1/15/19) (4/16/19) Costlow, Debby Gray, Dawn Long, Pat Pfister, Judy Sherlock, Maureen Wells, Gwenn • Cooperative Extension Horticulture Expo (1/17/19) • Camera Club Bulb Tour (4/18/19) Croft, Douglas Griswold, Terry Lopez, Vero Phinney, Angela Sherwin, Diann West, Anne • Radio Rehoboth Interview – WWSX-FM, DE (1/24/19) • Bear Trap Dunes Homeowners Bulb Tour (4/23/19) Curtain, Sherry Guetler, Trudy MacDonald, Janet Polcino, Holly Shields, Maria White, Pamela • DuPont Environmental Center, Wilmington (1/24/19) • Village of Mill Pond Bulb Tour (4/24/19) Poli, Jan-Marie Silver, Ilene Willocks, Alison Dennis, Jeff Haggerty, Craig Maggio, Claudine • Longwood Garden Foundation (1/31/19) • Candice Evans Bulb Tour (4/26/19) Dennis, Peggy Hall, Mary Marshall, James Powell, Jack Sinclair, Leslie Wisniewski, Donna • Delaware Wildlife, Nature Conservancy (2/7/19) Donofrio, Bettina Hammond, George Marshall, Judith Powell, Sandy Smith, Aubrey Wisniewski, Robert • Elaine Townsend Bulb Tour (4/10/19) Dougherty, Iona Healey, Jamie Martin, Judy Pratt, Bridget Smith, Judith Wright, Bonnie • AARP Chapter 5226, Presentation, Ocean View, DE • CIB Decked Out Tour (5/1/19) Duca, Don Hoffman, Nancy McCloud, Carol Precht, Tricia Smith, Marianne Zimmer, Rene (2/19/19) • Hosta Society Tour (5/5/19) • Talbot County Garden Club, Easton, MD (2/26/19) • Rehoboth Beach Village Improvement Association Tour • Philadelphia Flower Show, PA (3/2-3/19 (5/6/19) • Home & Garden Expo, Heritage Shores, Bridgeville, DE • NAASF Delaware Trees Tour (5/15/19) 2019 docents (3/2-3/19) • Spade & Trowel Garden Club Tour (5/21/19) In 2019, a team of Hospitality Docents, led by DBG • Southern Delaware Partners Meeting, Laurel, DE • Point Farm Garden Community Tour (5/23/19) Board Vice President Carol McCloud, was recruited (3/12/19) • Genevieve Courbois & Christian Stauffer Tour (6/24/19) and trained to host all the guest services, including • Women’s Civic Club, Bethany Beach, DE (3/14/19) • Friends of Patuxent Tour (6/27/19) staffing the Welcome Center, giving guided tours, acting • Plantation Lakes, DE (3/18/19) • Public Tour (7/30/19) as garden hosts, and staffing the parking lot. Each day • Kent Horticultural Lecture Series, College Park, MD • Public Tour (8/6/19) a team of 15 to 20 Docents served our guests. (3/22/19) • Girl Scout Tour (Troop 20566, York, PA) (8/7/19) • Center for the Inland Bays, Oyster Bagging (3/25/19) • Public Tour (8/13/19) McCloud, Carol King, Karen Quirk, Cheryl • Jayne’s Reliable, Dagsboro, DE (4/27/19) • Lewis Beekeeping Club (8/19/19) Buono, Donna Lesperance, Kathy Ravida, Peggie • Fenwick Island Society of Homeowners Presentation • Public Tour (8/20/19) Carroll, Jane Lewis, Kathy Rives, Elizabeth (4/27/19) Costlow, Debby Marshall, Jim Scarangella, Sally • Public Tour (8/27/19) Dougherty, Iona Martin, Judy Schaab, Angela • Volunteer Recruitment Open House & Presentation • McDonald – The Estuary Tour (9/5/19) Easton, Lorraine McGrellis, Andy Schaab, Kurt (6/1/19) • Oxford Garden Club (9/5/19) Filaggi, Tony McGrellis, Diane Sherlock, Maureen • DBG Float Bethany Beach 4th of July Parade (7/4/19) • Association of Professional Landscape Designers Griswold, Terry Nelson, Joyce Sherwin, Diann • Radio WDEL-FM Radio Interview (7/26/19) (9/25/19) 2019 by the Numbers Haggerty, Craig Poli, Jan Stokes, Gary • Radio WGMD-FM Interview (7/31/19) • Landscape Design Council & Environmental Council Hall, Mary Phinney, Angie Stokes, Jane • Dagsboro Night Out (8/6/19) and Garden Studies. (9/26/19) Hoffman, Nancy Powell, Jack Udinski, Peggy 205 38 10,029 • WBOC-TV Interview, “Delmarva Life” (8/20/19) • Talbot County Garden Club (10/8/19) Volunteers Docents Hours Kimmel, Margaret Powell,Sandy Willocks, Alison King, Bob Precht, Tricia Zimmer, Rene • Radio WXDE-FM Interview (8/27/19) • Women’s Club of St. Michaels Tour (10/10/19) $254,536 180 35 • Radio WDDE-FM Interview (8/29/19) • Garden Community Club (10/11/19) Value Days New Volunteers • Radio Rehoboth – WWSX-FM Interview. (9/5/19) • Salt Air Gardener’s Club (10/18/19) • Radio WXDE-FM Interview (10/15/19) • Chesapeake Natives Club (10/24/19) 12 13 Charles Flocco Elizabeth Tuskweth Barbara Edmondson Cece Niemi Melvin Goldberg Baldwin & Sara Tuttle Mark Ellenberg & Nancy Abromowitz Karen Nowell funds raised Theresa Griswold Stephanie Tuttle Mary Ann Etu Kathy Nye The following donors made gifts from January 1 through December 31, 2019, through Annual Giving, Capital Campaign, In Kind Barbara Gunter Diana Voorthuis Gail Felin Brook Olivere George & Joan Hammond Richard & Margaret Ward Toni Filaggi Stephen & Patricia Palmer Giving, and Matching Gifts/Sponsorships from Special Events. The Delaware Botanic Gardens strives to insure all names and giving Lillian Harrison Grant & Cathy Watchorn Wayne & Cheryl Fisher Irene Paonessa levels are correct. If you believe there is an error, please contact DBG at your convenience. Fran Henry & Walter Korzec Kenneth Watkins Keith & Gayle Fitzgerald Bonnie Pavlak Robert & Oksana Hoey Stuart & Janice Weiner Shelley & Mark Francello Mary & Gregg Pelowski Richard & Diane Huff Barbara Wilson & Brendy Esmond Karen Frisby Joseph & Elaine Petrowski Doug Isaac Lynn Wilson Wafi Gainey Alan Pettingill Doug & Mary Ann Jingst Audrey Wyatt Karen Galatro Janice Pinto & Lori Swift Richard Jolly & Charles Ingersoll Vickie York Kathleen M. Garrity Tom & Pamela Plaza Alan & Karen Jordan Rene & Michael Zimmer Kathleen Garton Patricia Precht Kami & Sean Kane Carol Gaulding Iris Prager Margaret Kimmel $99 and below Naomi Gelfand & Jerold Graff Shelley Prince Katherine & Mark Kulchock Brenda Afzal Georgette Greason Thomas Protack Margen Kyanko Elena Ake John & Carol Greblunas Nancy Purchase Angela Lancaster Christine Alberghini Carolyn Green Cheryl Quirk Sheila & Earl Lindveit Maria Amentas Angelo & Donna Guarino Richard & Maureen Remedio Marlene Lowe Pete & Jenny Anderson Harold Hardman Melanie & Bruce Riggs Susan & Andrew Lyons Anonymous Laura Harris Twilley James & Diane Rogers Douglas & Brenda Maas Jean & Jan Anthony Anne Hartley Lynn Rothman Diane Maddex Kathleen Avery Christine Hastings James Salyers Jim & Judy Marshall Mary Ellen Balady Victoria Hatfield Sheldon Schwartz Thomas & Pippa McPhillips Kent & Gail Baschwitz Carol Hertzoff Thomas Sears Sallie & Arthur Melvin Karen & Douglas Batt Deborah Hiob Kelly Sheridan & Debra Quinton Naming Rights Patrons: “The Learning Garden” sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery; “The Folly Garden” Carol Mihalik Antoinette Battaglia Timon Holman Loretta & Michael Simon sponsored by John and Carol McCloud; “The Knoll” sponsored by Ronald W. Bass and George A. Robbins, Jr. Susan & William Miller Alex Belano Susan Hughen Allan Slan Linda Miniscalco Mary Boltwood Amy Hughes Terry Small Sybille Braum FOUNDATION/STATE GIVING Gateway Garden Center Dan Barbato Jane & Paul Galvin Jean Morrison & Greg Knott Ellen Hughes Alexis Smallridge Jeannie & Stan Nedwick Carolyn Bray Carolyn & Lawrence Hush Janice Smart Boothe Family Fund I.G. Burton & Company Tom & Carol Bason Andrew & Lois Golian Valerie Brennan Greater Lewes Foundation M Insurance Services, LLC Ray Bojarski & Diann Corsnitz Bob & Jane Gore Margaret & Lawrence Nee Barbara Jameson Marie Smith Linda & John Oberkofler Pamela Brown Ian Kaufman Michelle & Kevin Smith The Hager Family Trust New Moon Nursery Brenda Bosma Frances & Richard Grote Douglas Buchanan Kimberly - Clark Foundation Nikki Foy Designs C.M. Bowers Craig & Pete Haggerty Eleanor O’Brien Peter Keeble Douglas & Louise Strande Irene Paonessa Donna Buono Sandra Kelley JoAnn Strawser The Louis & Jan Melton Charitable Fund Ocean City Elks Lodge Lawrence & Margaret Brain Bob Heffernan & Marylinda Maddi Frank & Virginia Burk Nor’Easter Foundation P.E.O., Chapter L Denise Bridgens George & Diane Melis Barbara Passikoff & Sandra Pace Betty Kestner Susan & Glenn Strohm Jane & James Peters Ann Byrd Sharon Denise Kitts & Maureen Coyle Pamela Sullivan State of Delaware Robinson Anderson Summers, Inc. George Bullen, Jr. Lew & Maureen Killmer Vicki Carmean Sussex County Council Salon on Central Peter & Frances Buttenheim Karen & Robert King Robert & Jan Poli Thomas & Deborah Koerner Steven Swierzy Ryan & Gary Revel William & Roberta Carroll Catherine Kulpinski Pam Switzer Henry A. Strohminger Family Foundation, Inc. Starboard Charitable, Inc. Peter Carter Jay & Barbara Lerch Carol Cavanaugh Wakefield Family Fund Talbot County Garden Club Sam & Cyndi Cashdollar Carla & Jack Markell Christine Powers & Alvin Ross Margaret LaFond Melissa Tooley Constance & Joseph Raymond Jay Cherlow Susan Lattimore Dennis & Susan Trencher WN Builders Deborah Costlow Janet & Ray McCabe Judith Cianci CORPORATE GIVING Suzanne Culin David Post & Barry Weyburn Cheryl Rehrig James & Carol Lee Friedrich & Elsbeth Wahl $499 and below Josie Cicerale $10,000 and above Mark & Kathy Davidson Margaret & Robert Ravida Jane Rubini Polly Lehtonen Keith Wallock AARP, South Coastal DE Chapter, #5226 Jon & Joan Clow Baird Mandelas Brockstedt LLC Susan Crampton Davis Susan & David Ryan Maureen Ryan Renee LeMasney Richard & Margaret Ward Accent on Travel Kathy & Dan Cochran Bancroft Construction Company Judith & Fred Dayhoff Raymond & Kate Sander Garland Saville Joseph & Marilyn Leo Yvonne Watson Annapolis Horticulture Society Stephanie Cohen Banks Wine & Spirits Faith Denault Joyce C. Smirk Troy & Susan Selph Dorothy Leventry Ann Weir Brandywine Garden Club Thomas Conlon Blessings Greenhouse & Compost Henry & Marcia Dewitt Tommy & Marianne Smith Isadora Semsker Linda Lewis Gwenn & Jim Wells Chesapeake Natives, Inc. Kathy Connelly Facility, Inc. Jamie & David Doane Brian Trader & Tyler Monteith Regina & Max Sewald Madeline Lewis Carol West Coastal Gardeners James Cotter Coastal Plant Care Iona & Ed Dougherty Roger & Patricia Truitt Thomas & Judith Sharp Robert Mantz & Kathleen Holden Pat Wheeler Fenwick Island Society Homeowners, Inc. Christine Courtois Coastal Tented Events Nancy Frederick Alison Willocks & Elizabeth Rives Karen Shupe & Norman Bowles Hilary & John McCaddin Kathleen White Four Seasons Gardeners of Heritage Shores Mary Cricenti Dogfish Head Companies, Inc. Michael Garrison Kathy & Cam Yorkston Michael Simcock Kathleen & Preston McCain Pamela White Garden Club of Wilmington David & Karin Crosby George & Lynch, Inc. Heidi & Kevin Gilmore Leslie Sinclair & Debbie Woods Kathryn McKenzie & Michael Ohr, Sr. Barbara Whorton Garden Escapes, LLC Wilbur Cyr Pennoni Associates, Inc. Jeremy & Shannon Hager $100 to $499 Margaret Sledge Charles Mead-e Justin & Jane Wickens Garden Gate Garden Club Jeanette & Mohammad Akhter Lois Defreyre SEA Studio Architects Marco Hernandez & Kimberly Grimes Raymond & Cheryl Stancill Marilou Merrill David & Cary Williams Giant Food Bags 4 My Cause Margaret Alexander Tom & Joann Demarco SoDel Concepts George & Mary Hessler Robin Talley & Rich Szvitich Kent Messer & Katherine Pickett Margaret & Larry Woda The Hartford Donald R. Allen, Jr. Anne Doran Yorkston Consulting Stephen Hornyak & Donna Tieger Maria Taylor Margaret & Arthur Michaelsen Susan & John Woelpper Inland Bays Garden Center Michael & Barbara Alushin Richard Thomas Donna Dow Bonnie Miller Bonnie Wright Katherine Johnson Kathryn Downs $1,000 to $9,999 Janet McDonald Estuary Community Judith Jones Deborah Appleby Mary Thormeyer Helen Montfort Dennis & Kathleen Wright Atlantic Bodywork Center Jayne’s Reliable Paul Arbo Eugenia Timmer Debby Dudley Margaret Moyer Linda Yingst Ferenc Kiss Lynda Dunham Babikow Greenhouses Kent Co. Extension Advisory Council, Inc. John & Elizabeth Kramarck Eugenia Athan Stephen Timmons Jeanne Mueller Francis & Andrea Zlatkus Barefoot Gardeners Club Middletown Odessa Garden Club Margaret Barrett Dennis & Susan Trencher Robert Durfey Maria Niciporclukas Ed & Kathy Zogby Carol Levin Jessica Duval Cape Gazette, Ltd. Moonflower Garden Club Kathleen & Thomas Lewis Robert & Kris Batley Joanne Tucker Cavano’s Perennials Oceanfront Fishhouse Mary Natelli McCann Karen Bauman Coastal Point Oxford Garden Club Steve & Valerie Parsons Mark & Mel Baunchalk Delaware Electric Cooperative, Inc. Plantation Lakes Garden Club Catherine Perge David & Mary Bernheisel DBG CAPITAL AND OPERATING INCOME DBG CAPITAL AND OPERATING EXPENSES Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs Salon on Central Barbara Peters Ronald & Donna Blanck 2019 Income Total $858,353 2019 Expenditures Total $1,100,797 Envirotech Environmental Consulting Salt Air Gardeners Lynn & Richard Regester Ann Blanshaft Gardeners by the Sea Selbyville Community Club Jane van Remoortere Barbara Borleske Good Earth Market & Organic Farm Sprig & Twig Garden Club Steve & Anne Ritchey Larry & Janice Bortner In-Kind Management and Sussex County Conservation District Hoffman Nursery, Inc. Patricia Robinson Barbara Bozak $55,700 General $96,563 Sussex Gardeners Membership Dues Jefferson, Urian, Doane & Sterner, PA Rodney & Sue Robinson Paul & Karen Bradley Women’s Civic Club of Bethany Beach $40,815 Lake|Flato Architects, Inc. Ruth Rogers Clausen Sheila Bravo & Jeffrey Ross Fundraising & Events Nickle Electric Peter & Carolyn Bringe INDIVIDUAL GIVING Pauline & Thomas Rondeau Contributions Gardens $118,098 North American Rock Garden Society Sharon & Bruce Schoonover Alex & Stephanie Brown North Creek Nurseries $50,000 and above Nancy Carey $87,226 $133,153 Ronald Bass & George Robbins Nelson & Diane Shaffer Serendipity Quilt Shop Joan Sharp Sara Chase Carlson Operations Sussex County Land Trust Carol McCloud Mark Carter & Sara Ganter Carolyn & Jack Smith $4,630 Town of Dagsboro $25,000 to $49,999 Michael Sprouse Sue & Robert Clark Grants Village Improvement Association Sheryl Swed & Ray Sander Kathleen R. Sullivan Gretchen Collins & Michael M. Harris $205,000 Allan Summers & Lisa Roper Judith Condon $500 to $999 $10,000 to $24,999 David Swayze & Carolyn DePew-Swayze George Coombs Acorn Garden Club Charles R. Anderson Family Investments Sherman & Elaine Townsend Beverly Corelle Anonymous Brent & Malinda Baker Vincent & Paula Varrassi Pamela Cranston Fundraising $12,500 Bank of Delmarva Phoebe Craven & Larry Green LeDee & David Wakefield William & Anne Dietrich $434,375 Brush Factory on Kings Highway Edward V.A. Kussy Infrastructure Michael & Karen Wenk Jeff Downing Dagsboro Paint & Wallpaper Charles & Bonnie Zonko $751,353 Robert & Donna Wisniewski W. James & Mary L. Downs Delaware Nursery & Landscape Association Karen Dudley Operations Delmarva Environmental, Inc. $1,000 to $9,999 $500 to $999 Maureen Eisenhart Stephanie Adams $22,737 Dixie Regional Hosta Society John Boggan & Daniel Speck Richard & Dorothy Eiserman Junis Adkins Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland Elise & Tim Burns Candice Evans Ken & Lisa Arni Landscape Design Council Laura & Guy Cecala Johannah Fine Note: In 2019, DBG used $550,000 in funds carried forward from grants awarded in 2017 and 2018 to fund a large portion of garden and infrastructure development. Harry Avila & Diane Olson Fulton Bank Vince & Cheryl DiFonzo Bill & Sally Fintel Chris & Carole Baker The true value of the DBG 37-acre site is not reflected in the in-kind income. The land was last valued at $1.2 million and the Sussex County Donald E. Dillon Joan Flaherty Ted & Monica Banks 14 Clem & Barbara Dinsmore Lorraine Fleming Land Trust leases it to DBG for $1 per year for 99 years, renewable twice. 15 2019 Board of Directors Raymond J. Sander, President Carol McCloud, Vice-President Brent Baker, Secretary Katherine Johnson, Treasurer Sheryl J. Swed, Executive Director Tom Bason Ronald Bass Robert Batley Peter E. Carter Ruth Rogers Clausen Jeremy Hager YOUR HELP IS NEEDED Scott Thomas as DBG grows and evolves… 2019 Advisory Council Carla Markell, Chair · Join over 300 others as a Sally Boswell member of the Gardens Ronnie Burkle • Give a DBG gift membership Mark Carter or schedule a tour for your Henry DeWitt David Doane organization Shawn Garvin • Volunteer as a Garden Lillian Harrison Steward or train to become a Barbara Katz Hospitality Docent Huge Leahy Diane Maddex 2020 UPDATE • Encourage your friends and Collin O’Mara DBG Board neighbors to join this unique Donald A. Rakow LeDee Lickle Wakefield Delmarva journey Michael Riska DBG Advisory Council Rodney Robinson Bob Batley • Take this opportunity to Susan Ryan sponsor a garden entity with Nelson J. Shaffer your name or in tribute to Holly Shimizu another David Small Doug Tallamy LeDee Wakefield Claudia West

Staff and Advisors Sheryl J. Swed,* Executive Director Brian W. Trader, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Horticulture Sam Cashdollar, Director of Grounds & Facilities Jeremy Cole, Gardener Cameron Yorkston, Development Consultant Kelly Sheridan, Donor & Member Manager Carol McCloud,* Volunteer & Docent Coordinator/ Speaker’s Bureau and Tour Director Brent Baker,* Communications Director Carol Bason,* Research & Development Advisor Tom Bason,* Information Technology Director Ray Bojarski,* Visual Media Advisor, Chief Photographer and Certified Drone Pilot Heidi J. A. Gilmore, Legal Advisor

* Indicates volunteer position PO Box 1390 Ocean View, DE 19970 2019 Board of Directors delawaregardens.org Grant Watchorn, Treasurer (January–March 2019) 302-321-9061 Gregg Tepper, Director of Horticulture (January–February 2019)

2019 Annual Report: Carol Bason (Content),Joanne Shipley (Graphic Design), Ray Bojarski (Photography)