View source for Delaware Center for Horticulture

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox park
| name             = Delaware Center for Horticulture
| alt_name         = 
| native_name      = 
| native_name_lang = 
| image            = Delaware Center for Horticulture.jpg
| image_size       = 
| image_alt        = 
| image_caption    = 
| qid              = 
| relief           = 
| label            = 
| label_position   = 
| mark             = 
| mark_width       = 
| type             = 
| motto            = 
| location         = 
| nearest_city     = 
| nearest_town     = 
| coordinates      = 
| coords_ref       = 
| area             = 
| elevation        = 
| authorized       = 
| created          = 
| established      = 
| designated       = 
| opened           = 
| opening          = 
| closed           = 
| founder          = 
| designer         = 
| etymology        = 
| owner            = 
| administrator    = 
| manager          = 
| operator         = 
| visitation_num   = 
| visitation_year  = 
| visitation_ref   = 
| open             = 
| status           = 
| awards           = 
| camp_sites       = 
| hiking_trails    = 
| paths            = 
| terrain          = 
| habitat          = 
| water            = 
| plants           = 
| vegetation       = 
| species          = 
| collections      = 
| designation      = 
| disturbance      = 
| budget           = 
| parking          = 
| publictransit    = 
| transport        = 
| free_label       = 
| free_data        = 
| other_info       = 
| facilities       = 
| website          = {{URL|https://thedch.org}}
}}
The '''Delaware Center for Horticulture''' (DCH) cultivates greener communities by inspiring appreciation and improvement of the environment through [[horticulture]], education and [[Conservation movement|conservation]]. Founded in 1977, the Center's headquarters in [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington's]] Trolley Square is an oasis in the city. The venue hosts many weddings and corporate events and includes a public demonstration garden that backs up to [[Brandywine Creek State Park|Brandywine Park]], an art gallery, lecture hall, and a greenhouse.

The DCH plants thousands of trees and leads regional projects to enhance Delaware's [[urban forest]]s; supports [[community garden]]s, [[urban farm]]s, and school gardens; organizes city park improvement projects; beautifies Delaware's roadsides with native vegetation; maintains the landscaping of many traffic medians and streetscapes; and provides educational programs for families and adults. Members of The DCH and more than 700 active volunteers come from Delaware and the surrounding region.

== Mission and focus ==

The Delaware Center for Horticulture inspires individuals and communities through the power of plants. Since 1977, we have cultivated a greener community by creating and maintaining the first Urban Farm in the city of Wilmington, beautifying public landscapes, planting and advising on the placement of urban trees, mobilizing volunteers, and hosting community events and educational programs, including our Branches to Chances® Return to Work program and our Neighborhood Tree Steward Program. Because much of our work occurs in low income neighborhoods with higher rates of disease, environmental contamination, and poor access to healthy foods, our educational efforts also emphasize the personal health and sustainability benefits of gardening.<ref name="mission">[http://www.theDCH.org/who-we-are DCH mission statement]</ref>

== Programs ==

The work of The DCH includes community gardens, public landscaping, roadside beautification, tree programs, educational programs and community events.<ref name="programs">[http://www.theDCH.org/what-we-do  The power of plants and people]</ref>

== City Gardens Contest ==

Now in its 31st year, the Wilmington City Gardens Contest is a friendly competition open to all residents and businesses within the city limits. Winners are announced at the annual awards ceremony in September of each year.

== Rare Plant Auction ==

The Rare Plant Auction is the annual signature event for The DCH. The event is traditionally held at [[Longwood Gardens]] in late April of each year. All proceeds benefit the Community Greening Program at The DCH, which uses horticulture to improve the quality of life for residents in urban neighborhoods.

== See also ==

* [[Horticulture]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official|https://thedch.org}}

{{coord|39.75873|-75.56132|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-DE|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Delaware Center For Horticulture}}
[[Category:Botanical gardens in Delaware]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Delaware]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in Delaware]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Wilmington, Delaware]]
[[Category:Protected areas of New Castle County, Delaware]]
[[Category:Education in New Castle County, Delaware]]


{{garden-stub}}
{{Delaware-stub}}