What to See
Enjoy the serenity and beauty of nature, see in one place the largest collection of plants on the Gulf Coast, and learn about the diversity of our local plant and wild life.
Millie McConnell Rhododendron Garden
The Millie McConnell Rhododendron Garden began as a native azalea garden, planted by Tom Dodd, John Allen Smith and Dr. John Giordano. The garden was redesigned in 2006 to showcase azalea hybrids either created in Mobile, or especially well suited to our climate. These groups include the Aromi, Dodd and Sawada hybrids. This Garden also boasts the largest public collection of Satsuki azaleas in the U.S., as well as an extensive collection of historic Southern Indica azaleas.
Founders Fragrance and
Texture Garden
This garden is often called the Founders Garden because it was designed, planted and maintained by the founders of the Mobile Botanical Gardens in the early 1970’s. It was designed as a trail for those who are visually impaired or with mobility issues. The koi pond is a favorite feature of this woodland garden. Our koi range in age from baby to over 20 years
The Longleaf Pine Forest, designated a Treasure Forest by the Alabama Forestry Commission, is one of the last remaining stands within the city. Thousands of wildflowers bloom along the 35-acre's meandering trails, making it a favorite site for walkers. After undergoing controlled burns since 2005, the forest continues to regenerate. Ongoing volunteer management continues to clear invasive species, regenerate barren areas and allow the new seedlings to flourish.
John Allen Smith Japanese Maple Garden
The specimen trees in this garden were relocated here from Mr. Smith’s private collection. This serene garden incorporates fundamental concepts of design: rocks, water, plants, and ornaments. A Casey Downing sculpture rests in the center of the collection, which has been expanded to include additional maples and other garden variety trees.
Sybil Burnett Herb Garden
The raised beds introduce you to herbs classified as culinary, spiritual, medicinal, native, historical, household, and fragrant. Around the perimeter of the Herb Garden you will find gingers, montbretia, Lady Banks climbing roses, and calamondin tree. This garden is collaboratively maintained with The Gulf Coast Herb Society.
Plauché Bog Garden
Named in honor of Terry Plauché, a local landscape architect, this unique garden is a man-made bog with an engineered system to replicate the freshwater wetland necessary to support carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews.
Kosaku Sawada Winter Garden
This garden is named in honor of Kosaku Sawada who immigrated from Japan in the early 1900’s and settled in Mobile. Sawada hybridized many camellias which are now famous around the world. Named a Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society (1 of only 6 in the U.S.), many reclaimed architectural materials from old Mobile were used throughout the 7-acre collection garden.
Pollinator Garden
This garden serves as a major attraction for many pollinators as they migrate through our area. Enjoy the busy bug world as you visit among our regional pollinator plants. In 2014 the Bruce Larsen butterfly sculpture, Transformation, was given on a long term loan to the Gardens from the Mobile Museum of Art.
ReBloom Garden
The ReBloom Mobile project sought to rekindle the spirit of community gardening in the City of Mobile and to provide suggestions for plants to achieve a 12-month color display. Look for our favorite Gulf Coast garden plants surrounding the lawn.
Piff Plaza and Fountain
The courtyard features clumping bamboo, annuals and perennials such as farfugium. The Piff Fountain, located in the center of the plaza, was donated in memory of Mrs. Elsa Piff — a long-time supporter of the Gardens. Her beautiful Plumeria are on display here every spring and summer.
Magnolia Hill
This area includes propagation houses and grow fields, a small conservatory, studio building, urban chicken management area, and honey bee hives. Magnolai Hill is also an outdoor classroom for children’s camps and workshops.
Katherine Shropshire Memorial Nature Trail
Dedicated in 1981, the original deep woods trail is a ¼-mile walk on moderate paths. In 2020 the trails were expanded into the 40 acres of natural woodland that extend back to the west along 12-Mile Creek.
The Tea Maze
The shape of tea maze is inspired by a Chinese medallion from the Ming Dynasty. These plants were grown from cuttings of the plants from the old Lipton Tea plantation in Baldwin County. Tea is made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis.
Cleyera Cathedral
The natural cathedral is a serene gathering area set amongst decades old cleyera trees that were part of an old nursery.
Alfred Piff Memorial Solar / Planetary Walk
This .8 mile trail serves as a scale model of our solar system neighborhood! Follow the trail — and the QR codes — to learn about each planet.