Garden Programs

Children's Vegetable Garden
Exclusively for Members!
Registration deadline May 30.
Saturdays, June 13–August 8 (no July 4th class)
8-9:30 am (Beginner class for ages 6-8; Advanced class for ages 9-11)

Children of member families are introduced to vegetable gardening in this 9-week course. They learn to plan, cultivate, care for, and harvest their own plots as well as form a community garden with staff horticulturists. Each session is an hour and a half. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All garden tools and seeds are provided. Call 302.888.4779 for more information or to register.
Free to Members

Enchanted Woods Family Pack

Pick up a Family Pack in the Galleries Reception Area of the museum to help you and your family use your senses to explore the Enchanted Woods in new ways. Loaded with open-ended activities and learning tools!
Free with admission. Check-out at the Galleries Reception Desk in the museum building. Limited quantity available. Most appropriate for children ages 3 - 7 and their caregivers.

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 7.8.09
Trees: Nature's Ultimate Multi-Taskers
11:30 am, July 8
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Among natural resources, trees are unrivaled in their usefulness. From cleaning the air to shading our homes to supplying the raw material for countless products and purposes, trees epitomize the term “multi-tasker.” Join Winterthur’s arborist superintendent John Salata for an introduction to several of our native “wooden wonders,” and an enlightening discussion on the multi-faceted and vitally important role trees play in our backyard, our lives, and in the world.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Build a Bluebird Box

Saturday, July 11 2:00–4:00 pm

Sorry, SOLD OUT!

Have you noticed the bluebird nesting boxes scattered throughout the Winterthur estate? Build your own bluebird box to create a habitat for these special birds. Explore the estate and learn all about the beautiful feathered friends who call Winterthur home.

Children ages 8+ with 1 adult. Members free. $10 per child with 1 adult free. Registration required by July 8. Call 302.888.4600.

Second Saturdays Garden Walk:
Chimney Swifts and Wineberries
July 11, 8:00 pm, Visitor Center

Discover popular and little-known landscape features while walking with a Winterthur horticulturist. Bring your flashlight, dress for the weather, and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am. Walks last approximately 90 minutes.
Included with all admission tickets. Members free.

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 7.15.09
Summer Annuals Container Tour
11:30 am, July 15
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Looking for different ideas for your summer containers? Learn new combinations of annuals, tender perennials, and tropicals. With horticulturists Leigh Donnelly and Michele Christiano, enjoy a walking tour of Winterthur's summer containers.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 7.22.09
Introducing the Upside-Down Tree
11:30 am, July 22
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

The newest feature in Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods—the Upside-Down Tree—has “roots” extending back to the very conception of the beloved children’s garden. Hear the curious tale of how the piece came to be from John Salata, who discovered the tree, and Randy Fisher, who artfully fashioned it into its present form.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 7.29.09
Cool Off with the Koi
11:30 am, July 29
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

On this beautiful, warm summer day, discover a peaceful, shady oasis in the Glade Garden. The waterfall and ponds entice with cool waters filled with brightly colored koi. Join horticulturist Amy Bloom as we meet Winterthur’s koi collection. Learn how they came to live at Winterthur and interesting facts about how we care for them.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Second Saturdays Garden Walk:
Sunset from the Train Station
August 8, 7:00 pm, Visitor Center
Bring a flashlight and prepare for a long walk while discovering popular and little-known landscape features with a Winterthur horticulturist. Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am. Walks last approximately 90 minutes.
Included with all admission tickets. Members free.

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 9.2.09
Enjoying Summer in the Garden
11:30 am, September 2
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Spring is easy to enjoy, and so is fall, but finding something to enjoy in the summer garden can be a challenge. Join Chris Strand, Director of Garden & Estate, for a walk through Winterthur’s summer garden and discover some of the joys of a summer garden.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Ikebana Class
Thursdays, September 3, 10, 17
9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Learn about the design principles of this wonderful Asian art form during three class sessions taught by Midori Tanumuni. Tanumuni, a highly regarded designer of the Sogestu School of Ikebana, has been part of the design team at Winterthur for more than ten years. Each session provides an opportunity to create a take-home piece. Materials provided. Registration required. Call 302.888.4600.
$183; $148 Members

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 9.9.09
A Field of Glass: Crops Grown in Greenhouses
11:30 am, September 9
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

The Winterthur greenhouse operation once grew flowers, flowering plants, forced bulbs, seasonal shrubs, and potted foliage. Each working house had its own specialty with specific needs for temperatures and ventilation. Tour the houses and reminisce about the growing activities with Marlin Dise, farm and environmental superintendent, as your guide.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Second Saturdays Garden Walk:
Garden Buildings, Walls, and Water Features
September 12, 1:00 pm, Visitor Center
Discover popular and little-known features while walking with a Winterthur horticulturist. Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am. Walks last approximately 90 minutes.
Included with all admission tickets. Members free.

Winterthur Flower Arranging Class
Getting Started: The Basics of Floral Design
Offered twice:
Wednesdays, September 16, 23, 30,
9:00-11:30 am
Thursdays, September 17, 24, October 1,
7:00-9:30 pm

Learn the basics of floral design, in both water and oasis, in three class sessions taught by experienced Winterthur staff. Students will learn about processing flowers, setting up the mechanics of a floral arrangement, and the principles of design at Winterthur. The elements of a floral design—color, texture, space, and form—will be discussed at length, and each student will have the opportunity to test their skills. Each session provides the opportunity to create a take-home piece. Materials provided.

Registration required. Call 302.888.4600.
$183; $148 Members

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 9.16.09
Pruning: What, When, and How
11:30 am, September 16
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

In nature plants do not depend on pruning, so why prune? Trees and shrubs must provide beauty, protection, and companionship, yet still not crowd us off our claim. We can't move just because the spruces we planted as a windbreaker begin to shut out the sun and block our view. Learn basic pruning techniques to use in your own garden from Duncan Pike, a specialist garden guide.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 9.23.09
Off the Beaten Path Estate Hike
11:30 am, September 23
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Fill your soul with the peace and joy of Winterthur and meet H. F. du Pont's #1 garden and estate partner, the landscape. Led by J. J. Cassey, a specialist garden guide, enjoy a ½ hour, 1 hour, or 1 ½ hour walk through the hillsides of this wonderful country place in a series of loops. Choose as much of the walk as you'd like. To top off this exhilarating experience, we will cross Clenny Run using some of its enchanting stepping stones.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 9.30.09
Entertaining in Elegance
11:30 am, September 30
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Today’s Reflecting Pool Garden was once the location of the du Ponts’ swimming pool and the scene for a variety of entertaining and special family occasions, such as anniversary and “coming out” parties. Jeff Groff, Director of Public Programs, will talk about some of the notable events at this location and nearby garden areas.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 10.7.09
Autumn Views and Borrowed Vistas
11:30 am, October 7
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

It's not ALL about spring! Enjoy a walk through this paradise garden in early autumn, noting the many reasons to enjoy the Winterthur Garden through all seasons. Take the long view across this Brandywine landscape with assistant curator Karen Steenhoek.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Second Saturdays Garden Walk:
Fall Flowers and Fruits
October 10, 1:00 pm, Visitor Center
Discover popular and little-known landscape features while walking with a Winterthur horticulturist. Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am. Walks last approximately 90 minutes.
Included with all admission tickets. Members free.

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 10.14.09
How to Avoid Raking: Techniques for Fall Cleanup
11:30 am, October 14
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Fall garden cleanup can be a grueling chore--especially if large perennial beds or trees are present. Learn some techniques employed at Winterthur to help reduce the time and effort associated with these maintenance tasks. Carol Long, Assistant Curator of the Garden, will lead this walk.


Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 10.21.09
Falling Leaves: The Mysteries of Fall Color Revealed
11:30 am, October 21
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

Just in time for the big fall show of color, Ted Lewis, garden guide specialist, will lead a walk focusing on the science behind this seasonal phenomenon. During the tour, outstanding ornamental trees and shrubs with fine autumn leaf color will be highlighted. 


Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Wednesdays at Winterthur
Garden Walks, Talks, and Demonstrations 10.28.09
Yuletide Sneak-Peak
11:30 am, October 28
Location: Greenhouse Bldg #68

The magic begins in summer as plans are laid for the Yuletide fantasies created at Winterthur each year. Hundreds of yards of pine roping and ribbons, and multiple varieties of evergreen material are used, to create the outdoor and indoor bouquets. A dozen trees are trimmed and dressed, some soaring to 25 feet. The most famous, the dried flower tree, was first created in the 1980s in homage to H. F. du Pont and the gardens he loved so dearly. Join Meredith Graves, the coordinator of the Winterthur flower program, for a glimpse of how this wonderful visual sensation is created and witness the work in progress.
Included with all admission tickets, Members free

Second Saturdays Garden Walk:
The Last Fall Color in the Garden
November 14, 1:00 pm, Visitor Center
Discover the last fall color in the Winterthur Garden with a horticulturist. Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am. Walks last approximately 90 minutes.


Included with all admission tickets. Members free.

Second Saturdays Garden Walk:
Conifers and the Winter Garden
December 12, 1:00 pm, Visitor Center
Discover popular and little-known landscape features while walking with a Winterthur horticulturist. Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am. Walks last approximately 90 minutes.
Included with all admission tickets. Members free.