Jenny Sobera runs a thriving dermatology practice, Village Dermatology, where she spends much of her day caring for patients. But when the lab coat comes off, she turns her attention to another passion project, her Mountain Brook garden, where she finds respite among the blooms and quiet rhythms. “I start and end most days out there,” Jenny says. “A cup of coffee on the porch watching the birds, a walk through the beds—snipping a bloom here, pulling a leaf there. It’s how I wake up. Then I do it all again in the evening to unwind.”
Jenny’s love of gardening began during the pandemic. She and her family had just moved into their home, and Jenny decided to dig in to make some improvements to the backyard. “Most of my family is in the nursery or plant business, and I swore I’d never get into it,” she laughs. “But now, I love the process—figuring out how things grow, what propagates from cuttings or bulbs, how to treat diseases. It’s like being a plant doctor.”
That love of gardening culminated in the addition of a Hartley Botanic greenhouse to the backyard—something Jenny had dreamed of for years. The greenhouse has become a thriving sanctuary where she rehabs and nurtures her ever-growing orchid collection, now numbering in the hundreds. It’s also home to countless other tropical plants, ferns, citrus trees, and any others that wouldn’t survive the Birmingham winter outdoors.
While the greenhouse is undeniably the crown jewel of the backyard, it does have showstopping competition in the lush garden that surrounds it. With the help of longtime friend Kelly Hulsey of Hulsey Garden Design and Daniel McCurry of Father Nature Landscapes, Jenny has created a tapestry of color and texture that changes with the seasons—each corner thoughtfully designed and each bloom a reflection of her ever-evolving passion for planting. “I’m surrounded by these beautiful blooms,” she says. “This is why I do it. I love the process, but the reward at the end—that burst of beauty—is what keeps me coming back.”
Skin Care Tips for Gardeners from Jenny Sobera
Spending time in the garden can do wonders for your soul, but it can also take a toll on your skin. Dr. Jenny Sobera, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Village Dermatology, shares a few tips for keeping your skin healthy and radiant while working outdoors.
• Protect from harmful UV rays, inside and out. Apply SPF 30+ to all sun-exposed areas, wear sun-protective clothing and hats, and consider Heliocare oral supplements to help defend your skin from within and reduce the harmful effects of UV exposure. Try: Sheer Screen by LABL
• Care for your hands. Use lightweight gardening gloves, and apply a barrier cream beforehand. Try: Renewal Calming Cream by Epionce
• Reapply often. Especially during Alabama’s warmer months. Set a timer for every two hours.
• Hydrate your skin after gardening. Look for ingredients to maintain and repair your skin barrier. Try: Luxe Replenish by LABL
• Don’t forget your lips and ears. Two of the most sun-sensitive spots. Try: UV Lip Balm by EltaMD
Find these dermatologist-approved favorites at LABL Studio, located inside Village Dermatology, or online at store.villagedermatology.net
