Designing with Native Grasses

Beautiful, versatile, and important for wildlife, native grasses are pillars of the naturalistic garden. Designed for gardeners of all levels, this class will help you integrate grasses with greater confidence. You’ll discover which native grass species offer the most garden value and utility, how to combine them with other plants, and the key design principles that increase their impact in the landscape. During the class you will: Choose native grasses for beauty, habitat value, and performance. Pair grasses with perennials and shrubs for naturalistic design in large gardens, small beds, and mixed plantings. Add texture, movement, and year-round interest to your landscape. Apply key design strategies that maximize visual and ecological impact. This class includes a guided walk through the gardens highlighting Mt Cuba’s various integrations of grasses. You’ll walk away with plant ideas, design inspiration, and the confidence to use native grasses more effectively at home. Register now to start your native grasses garden integration. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Saturday, October 17, 2026. 🥬 Certificate of Attendance for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available About the Instructor: Leah Blanton is a planting designer and horticulturist, using her artistic eye and plant knowledge to create functional urban landscapes for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, where she designs a diverse range of public horticulture projects in Philadelphia. She co-owns an ecological garden design company and earned her certificate of Sustainable Garden Design from the New York Botanical Garden. REGISTER NOW: General Public Individual+ & Dual+ Members Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Members