Mt. Cuba Center- Hockessin, DE

The Brandywine Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. It is home to countless gardens, some very well known, some hidden gems. Mount Cuba falls somewhere in the middle. It certainly isn’t as busy as Longwood Gardens, which feels like an amusement park; nor is it a pocket park, with limited plantings. Rather, Mt. Cuba sits in the sweet spot- several acres of immaculate gardens and limited crowds. 

Like just about everything in this part of Delaware, Mt. Cuba was originally home to a DuPont- Lammot du Pont Copeland specifically. In 1935, Copeland purchased 126.7 acres of farmland near the village of Mount Cuba, and commissioned Victorine and Samuel Homsey to design a sprawling Colonial Revival mansion on the site. The home’s original gardens were designed by Thomas Sears. 

In 1949, renowned landscape architect Marian Coffin expanded the formal gardens. Shortly after, the Copeland’s purchased an additional 17 acres for development of naturalistic gardens, which were developed by Seth Kelsey. The result is a verdant oasis, with perhaps the most beautiful entrance gate I have ever seen. 

Following Mrs. Copeland’s death in 2001, the expansive property was opened to the public, and it is nothing short of magnificent. The mansion is a bit plain for my tastes, and mostly used for staff offices, but does contain a beautiful conservatory. The real magic here are the gardens- which are absolutely enchanting. 

Closest to the house, the landscape is dominated by formal gardens- highlights included the main lawn with its expansive views of the surrounding countryside, and the round garden, with its Maltese cross shaped pool. Further afoot, the terrain becomes more wild, focusing on ferns, rhodondendrons, and dogwoods, which eventually reveal a gentle stream and quiet pond. It is certainly one of the most serene spots I have ever visited, and I can’t wait to return.