Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is delighted to welcome Christopher Elenstar as our new Horticulture Director.  This role plays a vital part in shaping the beauty, health, and future of the landscapes our visitors enjoy every day.  Christopher brings more than two decades of experience in horticulture and public garden leadership, with a career that reflects both hands-on expertise and big-picture vision.

He began his professional journey as a nursery manager,  horticulturist, plant records manager, plant health manager, gardens manager, and several director-level roles in horticulture.  This broad background has helped him gain an understanding of how horticulture, facilities, collections, education, and visitor experience intersect in complex public garden environments.  Most recently, Christopher served as Assistant Director for Horticulture at Brookside Gardens in Maryland.

What excites Christopher most is horticulture that connects people with nature in meaningful ways. He is deeply passionate about ecological landscaping, gardening for  wildlife, and sustainable practices that support healthy ecosystems.  These values strongly align with the Gardens’ sense of place and commitment to conservation.