The University of Delaware Botanic Gardens (UDBG) began in the late 1950s with the planting of specimen trees and shrubs around the campus of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Originally established as a supportive resource for teaching horticultural science, the gardens have evolved into a valued asset for the public, green industry professionals, and campus life. Experiential learning has been a core tenet since the gardens’ establishment, providing opportunities for students in horticulture, plant science, entomology, and landscape design to gain hands on experience and apply classroom knowledge and develop skills adjacent to their program of study.

The University of Delaware Botanic Gardens name was officially adopted in 1992. A dedicated volunteer base later formalized to found the UDBG Friends, a group that evolved into the gardens’ current membership program which continues to support and advocate for the garden. Independent installations have shaped UDBG’s collections into a dynamic outdoor laboratory. A 1996 donation from Emily Clark Diffenback established the Emily B. Clark Garden in front of Townsend Hall, which houses primarily conifers and holly trees and contains some of the gardens’ oldest specimens. Later additions include the Lepidoptera Trail, and the Wetland area (2000s). Through its history, many experts and faculty have significantly contributed to the advancement of the collections.