Mount Cuba, Welkinweir and Longwood participate in National Public Gardens Day

National Public Gardens Day will showcase local public gardens and those throughout the nation on May 8. “They are valuable resources for the public, and National Public Gardens Day is meant to celebrate these resources and the great network that exists a

Victoria Laubach, executive director of Welkinweir, said National Public Gardens Day has gained in popularity over the years and has helped raise people’s awareness. It has especially helped raise awareness of smaller gardens like Welkinweir, which features an arboretum and a historical estate in East Nantmeal.

Mt. Cuba, Welkinweir and Longwood Gardens are three of the participating institutions whose natural beauty and rich history will be on display.

In the 30 miles around Philadelphia, there are more than 30 public gardens, according to Caitlin Simkovich, the communications and logistics manager for the Kennett Square-based American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The area is known as “America’s Garden Capital,” according to a group called Greater Philadelphia Gardens, whose Web page – www.americasgardencapital.org – highlights area public gardens.

National Public Gardens Day first began in 2009 and is historically celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day. Simkovich said the event began as a partnership between AGPA and the Rain Bird Corp., a company with offices in Cali-

PETE BANNAN — DAILY LOCAL NEWS The spring house at Welkinweir looks out on the pond.

PETE BANNAN — DAILY LOCAL NEWS A bumblebee is drawn to this redbud in front of the estate house of Welkinweir.