Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation Grant to DBG

rhyne garden

Ray Sander, President of the Delaware Botanic Gardens, and Murray Sawyer on behalf of the Trustees of the Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation, announced the award of a $250,000 grant to Delaware Botanic Gardens. The grant will name the 1.5-acre Rhyne Garden the “Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation Rhyne Garden.” This garden celebrates over 12,000 native plants, 300 native shrubs and 34 ‘Brandywine’ red maple trees. The Rhyne Garden is located in the middle of the DBG parking lot. The Rhyne is a term used in England for a low-lying drainage area. The “Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation Rhyne Garden” has the environmental function of filtering water that flows off the parking lot. This is the newest DBG garden and was just completed this fall. Sander said, “I thank the Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation for their continuing support of the Delaware Botanic Gardens.”

Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director, said, “We thank the foundation trustees and have worked with the Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation for many years. They recognize the unique role this public garden plays in providing 37-acres of natural woodlands, gardens and 1,000 feet of shoreline at Pepper Creek. Our partnership with the Foundation is important in ensuring the protection and preservation of the Rhyne and entrance garden area. I take this opportunity to also thank our staff and volunteers who designed and planted the Rhyne.”

Murray Sawyer said, “Our Foundation is pleased to partner with the Delaware Botanic Gardens to ensure this important public garden continues to provide a natural and beautiful habitat in southern Delaware. In this difficult time, it is more important than before to preserve a natural place where people can enjoy the blessings and be inspired by the natural outdoor setting.”