(West Palm Beach, FL – January 31, 2025) – The host of the hit national PBS television series GardenFit, Madeline deVries Hooper, is bringing her techniques for gardening without stressing your body to Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County.

Mounts Botanical is hosting a three-month series taking place live at the Garden on February 15, March 16, and April 5.

During each visit, Madeline will demonstrate simple, body awareness adjustments that will prevent aches and pains from bending, lifting, and even getting up and down from the ground as you weed, dig, plant, and prune. She believes that gardening should be a joyful and pain-free experience. You can attend one or all of the “Get GardenFit” sessions.

“You don’t want to miss this chance to get inspired, get moving, and learn important techniques on how to manage your body while gardening,” says Mounts Botanical Garden Executive Director James May.

“Our bodies are our most important gardening tool,” says Madeline deVries Hooper. “I am passionate about helping gardeners take care of their bodies while taking care of their gardens, and what better place to share this with the Palm Beaches than at Mounts Botanical Garden.”

GardenFit, the hit national public television series, offers a new approach to gardening, based on the premise that gardening should be a joy and not painful. It’s a first-of-its-kind fusion of garden tours and self-care, teaching viewers how to take care of their body while taking care of their garden. The show brings together themes of nature, sustainability, and wellness in a delightfully engaging format.

EVENT DETAILS:

• Date: Saturdays, Feb. 15, Mar. 16, and Apr. 5
• Time: 9:30 am – 10:30 am
• Location: Mounts Botanical Garden
• Cost:
  • $25 for members
  • $35 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
• Registration:
  • Space is limited and registration is required.
  • Tickets are nonrefundable.
  • To register, visit https://www.mounts.org/event/special-event-get-gardenfit-with-madeline-devries-hooper-3/.

ABOUT MADELINE DEVRIES HOOPER

After a trailblazing public relations career that included creating and building the leading marketing-PR firm DeVries Global, and then a career as a ballroom dance competitor and teacher, Madeline deVries Hooper immersed herself in the world of gardening. She was invited to become a trustee of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and then of the Berkshire Botanical Garden, where she has been Vice Chair for the past 10 years. She has visited many of the finest gardens in the United States and Europe, and developed relationships with leading horticulturalists, garden designers, and plantspeople. However, her passion for gardening left her with many aches and pains. A friend recommended she work with a personal trainer and she learned new techniques and exercises to relieve her pain and enable her to garden more enjoyably and productively. These newfound habits were the inspiration for the GardenFit television show and workshop program. Madeline and her husband live in Columbia County, New York, where for the past 30 years they have devoted themselves to maintaining Rockland Farm, a 10-acre garden they created from scratch.

EXPLORE MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN

Mounts Botanical Garden is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry at 3:00 PM).

• Admission:
  • $20 for adults
  • $18 for seniors, college students, and military with IDs
  • $13 for ages 6-17
  • FREE for children under 6, Mounts members, and RAP (reciprocal program) members
• Location: 531 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415
• For more info:  www.mounts.org

CURRENTLY ON EXHIBIT: RIBBIT THE EXHIBIT II BY ARTIST ANDY COBB

Back by popular demand, this collection of 18 larger-than-life, whimsical frog sculptures is on display throughout the Garden. Handcrafted by artist Andy Cobb, these sculptures create playful and imaginative explorations of amphibians while offering engaging programming about real frogs and their vital role in the ecosystem.

ABOUT MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Spanning 20 acres, the Garden features an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas with more than 7,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic fruit trees, palms, and bromeliads. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden.

This project is sponsored in part by:

• The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
• The Tourist Development Council
• The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County

ATTACHED IMAGE:

• PBS GardenFit Creator, Executive Producer, and Host of GardenFit Madeline deVries Hooper (photo credit: courtesy of Madeline deVries Hooper)

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:

Misty Stoller – Director of Marketing & Communications, Mounts Botanical Garden
954.292.8169

[email protected]

Madeline deVries Hooper – Please contact Misty Stoller to schedule.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gary Schweikhart – PR-BS

561.756.4298

[email protected]