An Interview with Rochelle Wolberg, Curator and Director of Mounts Botanical Garden
By Denise Marsh
In doing articles for AroundWellington.com’s Cultural Corner column, I really “get around” and see things I sometimes wouldn’t typically see on my own. When offered an opportunity to view Mounts Botanical Garden I couldn’t help but think of my relationship with plants: no relationship. In fact, I had managed to kill my beautiful and sentimental Bamboo Plant (a birthday present) that I had for 2 good years; I even named her “Shannon”. Nevertheless, I had adopted a complex regarding all things “green”. So, I decided that I needed to make peace and conquer this fear a different way. Hence, doing this article was my “peace treaty” and knowing that I was NOT responsible for this green oasis of loveliness helped as well!
In the midst of Palm Beach International’s noisy planes, there is a “hidden treasure” quite beautiful, vast, and eclectic place called “Mounts Botanical Garden”. It is there that you will find meditation gardens, tranquil walking trails, various plants and horticulture, and statues depicting their own special “truths”. If you’ve never seen this Garden, you haven’t truly seen all of Florida’s beauty in its entirety. It is not just a place; it is an unforgettable experience and it is where I “befriended” lots of green and put my “curse” to its demise.
Although my actual “interview” was with Rochelle Wolberg, Misty Stoller, the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications was extremely beneficial as a Liaison to ensure that all communication was addressed and forwarded promptly. Thank you to both of you for making this article/interview happen!
Sowing the seeds
A.W: What is your position at Mounts Botanical Gardens? How long have you been there?
R.W: Mounts Botanical Garden Curator-Director, Rochelle Wolberg. I have been with the Garden for nearly a decade. I was first hired in May 2014 as Director of Education overseeing programs, volunteers, and youth education. I began my tenure as Curator-Director the summer of 2017.
A.W: Have you always been involved with Horticulture? When did you know that you had a passion for this?
R.W: I came to the garden via an untraditional path. My background is in School Psychology. However, I have grown to embrace our mission to inspire and educate through nature, namely through horticultural education and sustainable gardening practices. I am passionate about marrying the aesthetic quality of landscape design with the science of horticultural best practice, specific to our Zone, both of which are substantial to our mission.
A.W: What is the history of the garden? Who funds the gardens?
R.W: The Garden was named in honor of Marvin Umphrey “Red” Mounts (1898-1969) who was instrumental in shaping Palm Beach County’s expansive farming community. After graduating from the University of Florida’s agricultural college in 1925, Mounts was hired as the County’s first agricultural agent. His territory covered 1.2 million acres. Mounts encouraged farm families to expand their usual crops of green beans and tomatoes to a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables towards improving their personal health and finances. When not in the field, Mounts lectured to garden clubs and preached the gospel of agriculture at school career days. He also helped to establish the Audubon Society of the Everglades and formed Florida’s charted 4-H club. In 1983, The Friends of the Mounts Learning Center was established to support the Garden. This effort grew out of a garden advisor committee formed in 1975 by Clayton Hutcheson. It was a non-profit organization whose goal was to provide voluntary personnel and funding support from private sources to facilitate horticultural materials and to provide educational opportunities to Palm Beach County. In 1986, the name of the center was officially changed to Mounts Botanical Garden and the names of the Friends was changed to Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden, and it became a 501©3 non-profit with the purpose of support, expansion, and development of the Garden. For complete history: https://www. mounts.org/mounts-history/
A.W: What is the best part of your job? Most challenging? Please provide an example or two for each.
R.W: The best part is:
1. Working with a team of incredibly talented and creative professionals who enjoy wonderful synergy and creative autonomy for planning out projects-really, one does not get this type of opportunity often if even once in their career.
2. Meeting wonderful professionals representing a wide breadth of fields, including art, landscape, design, architecture, education, health and wellness, and more.
Challenges:
- Managing the public/private partnership when it’s related to major capital projects. Even with all sides in agreement, it takes time to bear fruit-similar to gardening, I guess!
- Sifting through data, as a team, and making critical decisions that will impact broad program areas.
(Above: Rochelle and Patrick Wolberg)
A.W: What are your suggestions for a “direction-challenged” person (such as myself) in terms of navigating the Garden?
R.W: Our mobile garden guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app, provides a map of the Garden along with descriptions of our 25 display gardens, art in the garden, and information on our exhibits.
A.W: What are your favorite parts of the Garden?
R.W: My favorite part of the Garden is the Great Lawn as it affords the ability to view other gardens across a panoramic viewpoint, such as the Butterfly Garden, Trial Garden, Overlook Bridge on the Zimmerman Shade & Color Island, and our beautiful tree canopy.
A.W: Is the Garden kid-friendly?
R.W: Mounts Botanical offers the ultimate family fun “green” experience. From a giant outdoor fort and maze, to towering moai statues, a gorgeous butterfly garden, and the opportunity to feed the koi fish. M.B. has so much to offer youngsters-and also the “young at heart”. Plus, treasure trek maps are available in the Welcome Center & /Gift Shop to make the adventure even more fun!
A.W: Is photography and video allowed at the premises? What are the guidelines?
R.W: Yes, we encourage you to take and share photos/videos! Mounts also serves as the backdrop for numerous staged photo/video shoots. For complete details: https://www.mounts.org/photo-video-policies/.
A.W: Where exactly are you located ? What are the hours and prices for admission? Also, I understand that there is a special schedule of events for this venue.
R.W: For complete information on hours, admission, and additional visitor info, visit: https://www.mounts.org/visitor-information/.
A.W.: What are your future plans for the Garden or “with” the Garden?
R.W: We are currently embarking on the exciting next chapter of the Garden’s growth as we develop a new strategic plan that will serve as our roadmap to the future, guide where we are going in the years to come, and outline how we will get there. We want Mounts Botanical Garden to be top of mind as one of Palm Beach County’s most unique attractions as a living museum and one of the region’s top cultural gems. In addition, we have begun our next master plan process to carry out this strategic vision. Following a search conducted in conjunction with Palm Beach County, Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden is currently negotiating an agreement and will commence master planning in Spring 2024
A.W: What is something very special about the Garden that you think people should definitely be aware of?
R.W: Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public botanical garden. With a mission to inspire and educate through nature and a history spanning more than 40 years. Mounts Botanical is a hidden gem located in the heart of the Palm Beaches behind Palm Beach International Airport. The nationally-acclaimed attraction is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Visitors to this 20-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 display gardens containing more than 7,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida Native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, ornamentals, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, succulents, bromeliads, orchids, and more. In addition, numerous cultural and educational activities draw visitors to enjoy, appreciate, and learn from this sanctuary of tranquil beauty. Sitting under the canopy of the stately Royal Poinciana tree, overlooking Lake Orth, one may forget the hustle and bustle of the Palm Beaches and find restoration in the healing sounds and scents of the Garden. The Garden reconnects visitors to nature’s awe and wonder local stories, and to one another.
A Garden is Grown
If you need a place to film, record, take pictures for any special occasion the backdrop at Mount Botanicals Garden and the grounds are immaculate and breath-taking. There is an upcoming Origami Program (check out the schedule of events mentioned in the article), or, just come here to relax and mediate. You really DON’T need a good reason. This is a place not to be missed but to be treasured and shared with company that is visiting Florida or revisit your “tourist days” and experience it for yourself!
I am grateful for Rochelle’s time and expertise as well as Misty for “connecting” me to Rochelle. Although it was my first time at the Garden it is definitely NOT my last. I look forward to going back tour with friends or family and having them embrace and enjoy this hidden treasure. Come see the place you shouldn’t miss seeing.
PS After my tour of the Garden, I have decided that I will get myself a new Bamboo Plant, perhaps for my birthday-I’m feeling “green” again, thanks to Mounts Botanical Garden.