DAGSBORO, Del.- After years of planning and thousands of volunteer hours, the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek are now open.

On Thursday, elected officials, the gardens' board and others cut the ribbon on the 37 acre site. The Delaware Botanic Gardens features a walking path through the woods to the creek, a two acre meadow garden designed by world-renowned designer Piet Oudolf, and a learning garden with an outdoor classroom sponsored by Dogfish Head Brewery.

Volunteers like Angela Schaab say there's something for everyone at the gardens, and to see them come in bloom is dream come true.

"We would take these plants wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow and place them out in the meadow," she says. "To see that happen just over a two year period to what we have today...it's awe inspiring."

Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lauren Weaver says the gardens will serve as a new attraction for visitors and locals and help the next generation as well.

"A big part of this is getting kids out of the classroom and having them help. I know the girl scouts have been a huge part in the development, weeding and the caring of the garden," she tells WRDE. "[It's] just another way that our children can help learn about this area and be a part of events."

Delaware Botanic Gardens President Ray Sander says the gardens also benefit the environment, with 85 percent of the meadow garden being comprised of native plants and pollinators.

"We are trying to inspire people to understand that native plants are a beautiful entity that we have to have, not only because they bring beauty, but because of what they have in the life cycle of pollinators and the whole cycle of horticulture."

The Delaware Botanic Gardens are currently open from Wednesday through Friday from nine to noon and guided tours are available as well.

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