On Friday, April 25, 2025, the Montgomery Botanical Gardens welcomed Dr. Carolyn Robinson, professor of Horticulture and her students in “Public Garden Administration” to the gardens. Cathy Maddox, President of the MBG Board of Directors, presented the history of MBG and guided the group through the gardens. She shared many experiences of the board in creating and maintaining the gardens that will serve the students well as they enter their careers in public gardens. Mrs. Maddox emphasized the importance of sufficient financial support for a public garden to reach the goals and objectives of its mission. Informing, inviting and involving the public in the garden at each step is also vital to the success of public gardens, she explained. Fairlie Rinehart, MBG Landscape Designer joined the group to share information and respond to questions. Fairlie’s son James Rinehart, who is a proud Auburn graduate and was a student of Dr. Robinson, also shared his time with the group and provided information as he has been instrumental in many aspects of the garden’s development.
The MBG greenhouse, which was donated by the Capital City Master Gardener Association, was of particular interest to some of the students who chose that area of horticultural study as their major. Mrs. Maddox explained the construction, use and upkeep of a greenhouse that has been experienced by MBG. The greenhouse is a great asset to the gardens and depends on a crew of committed volunteers.
Over lunch the students introduced themselves and their individual motivations to seek their education in Horticulture and particularly in Public Gardens. They were each encouraged to come volunteer at MBG and there was discussion of Internships possibly being developed at MBG. They had a variety of questions for MBG leaders that indicated the excellent education they are achieving at AU and their keen interest in a career in the garden world. Considering the outstanding resource that Auburn University’s Horticulture school can offer to MBG, discussions about how the two entities can interact and develop educational options of mutual benefit will continue.
MBG envisions interaction and planning with other colleges/universities and even local high schools to develop partnerships that will further the knowledge about MBG and public gardens in general.
