The Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens is an all-volunteer, grass-roots organization dedicated to creating a world-class botanical garden that inspires and educations – right here on the shores of Delaware.

Established in January of 2012, the organization’s mission is to create inspirational, educational, and sustainable botanic gardens for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. The Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens held their first public event on April 27th, 2012. Since then, process has been made. The Botanic Gardens organization has applied for, and quickly received nonprofit status and federal tax-exempt status and has selected a logo for the project.
 
After months of planning, Michael Zajic, President of the Botanic Gardens and board members have planned to hold a fundraising event in the historic town of Lewes, DE.
 

“The Board and members of the Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens are honored to bring Carole Ottesen to Delmarva to speak at the Lewes Library,” said organization board member, Ptery Iris.

 
“Carole is an eminent author and garden scholar whose newspaper columns, blogs, and books are recognized as a major force in the American gardening movement,” she added.
 
Ottesen is an award-winning garden writer, accomplished photographer, and noted designer. She has written and extensively researched native plants, ornamental grasses, healing herbs, cooking, and sustainable gardening. 
 
Ottesen’s presentation to the public is the second event held by the Botanic Gardens organization. In March, Holly Shimizu, Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden, spoke about various experiences in creating botanic gardens.
 
A representative present at the Rehoboth Art League Cottage Tour a few months ago said, “We’d love to create a well-tended garden area comparable to that of Longwood Gardens. It’d be like the ‘Longwood of the shore’.”
 
Botanical gardens are described as areas displaying wide ranges of plants, labeled by their botanical names. Special collections of plant life are grown in natural landscapes, greenhouses, or shade houses. Services at most botanical gardens include tours, educational displays, art installations, libraries, theaters, or seasonal displays.
 
The University of Delaware Botanic Gardens, located in Newark, DE, is the closet botanical garden to most residents living in the mid-Atlantic region. The University of Delaware Botanic Gardens feature more than 3,000 species and cultivars of perennials, shrubs, and trees.
 
At the Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens event this weekend, guests will enjoy light refreshments before and after the gardener’s presentation. A $15 donation is asked of all who attend. Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens members may attend for free. Annual memberships are available for $40 donations. 
 
Members of Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens will enjoy certain benefits, such as reduced event ticket prices, and will be kept informed of events, engagements, and educational workshops offered. 
 
Currently, the team behind the Botanic efforts is raising money to be used towards the purchase or acquiring of a plot of land in which the gardens will be developed upon. The Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens is an organization dedicated to the establishment of a world-class botanic garden in Southern Delaware and to offering a wide range of horticultural programs.
 
For more information, visit the Southern Delaware Botanic Gardens on Facebook. (Photos from the Facebook page.)
 

If you plan to attend:

Carole Ottesen presentation & gardening group
Saturday, September 29th, 2012
Lewes, DE Library
10:00 am