Ask a Master Gardener: The Second Fifty Years Begin at the Mobile Botanical Gardens
- Jennifer McDonald
- May 9
- 4 min read
By: MBG Board Members Jeb Schrenk (University of South Alabama) and Dr. Judy Stout (Mobile County Master Gardener) www.mobilecountymastergardeners.org
The Mobile Botanical Gardens is pleased to introduce you to its new Executive Director, Dr. Cynthia Klemmer. Cindy relocated to Mobile in late February after completing eight years as manager of the Zilker Botanical Garden, the historic Mayfield Cottage, and the city community gardens program for the Austin, Texas Parks and Recreation Department. She has over 25 years of experience in public horticulture and botanical gardens management.
In a recent interview, Cindy helps introduce herself and her aspirations for the Mobile Botanical Gardens.
What led you to your career in botanical gardens?
I have always loved plants, nature, and gardening! Some of my favorite memories growing up in Texas are helping my grandfather plant his huge vegetable garden and exploring the east Texas Piney Woods where my grandparents lived.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve at public gardens around the country, including Boston (Massachusetts Horticultural Society), Chicago (Chicago Botanic Garden), Florida (Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Bok Tower Gardens), North Carolina (Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden), and Texas (San Antonio Botanic Garden and Zilker Botanical Garden). In each place and at each garden, my wonder and love for plants, nature and gardening has continued to grow.
Plants and gardens are both beautiful and scientifically complex. Gardens are beautiful spaces in which to be and creating spaces for people and communities to come relax, engage, enjoy, learn and experience is what continues to drive me.
Why were you attracted to the Executive Director position at the Mobile Botanical Gardens?
My husband, Mike, and I were looking for a new adventure. We knew we wanted to stay in the Southeast, which feels most like home to us. The lush plant palette of this region is an amazing enticement. The Mobile Bay area is one of the most plant-diverse areas in the U.S. It is a horticulturist’s dream! The piney woods and azaleas remind me of those treasured childhood days exploring east Texas, providing an immediate affinity. (An added bonus is the fact that it actually rains here—a nice change of pace from central Texas!).
At Zilker I learned a great deal about municipal governments and public-private partnership. However, I was interested in returning to the non-profit sector where I have felt most at home and could have more agency and flexibility to create and implement a vision for public horticulture.
Importantly, The Mobile Botanical Garden is beautiful and boasts remarkable collections. What’s here is amazing, and there is so much to build on! We realized quickly that we had found exactly the right place.
What do you and the Board of Directors see for the future of the Gardens?
The Gardens have experienced incredible growth over the past 10-15 years, thanks to previous leadership for fostering growth on which we can build. Horticultural investments saw major collections established and expanded, notably the K. Sawada Winter Garden — one of only seven camellia collections in the U.S. to receive the International Camellia Society’s Gardens of Excellence designation. Additional improvements include the establishment of the Aromi hybrid Azalea Garden and the Japanese Maple Collection, each among the largest of their kind in the southeast, and the Terry C. Plauche Bog Garden.
The Gardens continue to provide important fire management to the thirty-five-acre Longleaf Forest and major conservation partnerships with the Longleaf Pine Alliance and the Nature Conservancy.
Installations of aesthetic enhancements to the Garden experience will continue, such as installations of the stunning glass sculpture “Ryan’s Light” by Juli Juneau and the Piff Solar and Planetary Walk featuring “The Sun” by University of South Alabama sculptor Matthew Patterson.
We will continue to build the Gardens, with restoration in some areas and additional plantings that build on existing collections and add seasonal color and impact. A major focus will be the people aspect of our public garden — events and programs that give you, our community, an “excuse” to take that trip out to the Gardens you’ve been putting off. Look for new events, programs and exhibits in the coming months that highlight the beautiful grounds with food, education and entertainment. Have an idea? Drop me a line at cklemmer@mbgardens.org and let me know what you would like to see. I’d love to hear from you!
Why should I visit the Mobile Botanical Gardens?
With over 106 acres and miles of trails, the Garden offers something for everyone. Want to just get away for peaceful and personal time? Do you really enjoy the variety and beauty of plants?
For those looking for ideas for their gardens and yards at home, the Gardens are the perfect place to create your own ‘idea board’ as we feature the best plants for Gulf Coast gardens including natives as well as well adapted non-native plants. Visit and shop our semi-annual Spring (March) and Fall (October) Plant Sales and select perfect plants for your yard or find that specific plant you haven’t found elsewhere (with onsite expert guidance!). Participate in our numerous classes, seminars and other educational offerings.
For kids and families, I recommend checking out the Tea Maze for a fun outdoor experience! While in that area of the Gardens, stop by Magnolia Hill to visit our resident chickens. Nearer to the gift shop and Piff Plaza, visit the koi pond and the beautiful herb garden, one of my personal favorites. Go online to review upcoming classes, family events and children’s activities, as well as sign up for our newsletters.
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