Herb Garden

Contained in this charming ¼ acre garden are 14 theme gardens and a quaint herb cottage. The Knot Garden is in the center of the garden and is raised 16 inches above ground level. Four L-shaped beds that are 30 inches above ground level, and are constructed of brick enclose it. This provides excellent drainage for plants and makes the beds accessible to persons in wheel chairs and those with special needs. The themes of these four beds are: Culinary, Medicinal, Dye and Fragrance. The Medicinal bed highlights the contributions Native Americans have made to our understanding of plants and their use for medicinal purposes.

Other beds, also raised above ground level, include a Butterfly Garden, Biblical Garden, Tea plants and Heart Healthy plants. A circular bed is planted as a large Tussie Mussie or "talking bouquet." A Tussie Mussie is a circular nosegay whose fragrant herbs and flowers carry a message in the language of flowers - love, condolence, good luck, or a variety of other sentiments. There are two semicircular beds one with an Oriental theme and one Color Bed featuring colorful flowers and herbs that may be dried and used in decorative items. The long Children’s bed beside the vine covered entrance pergola features plants to delight children’s imaginations and teach them to have fun in the garden as they explore the Bunny Trail, River bench, Magic area, Pizza herbs and the Candyland of wonderful plants and flowers.

The Analematic sundial is appropriately placed in a bed of thyme. As you stand on the appropriate month stone on a sunny day, your body will cast a shadow on the current hour stone encircling the bed.

The rich and colorful history of herbs comes alive to the visitors as they enjoy and learn about the many uses of herbs, both past and present.

The members of the Huntsville Herb Society who give hundreds of volunteer hours to plant and maintain this garden invite you to visit this lovely and interesting part of the Huntsville Botanical Garden.

The Huntsville Herb Society was organized in 1984 and shortly after became a partner in developing the Huntsville Botanical Garden. To learn more about the Herb Society and the Herb Garden please visit: www.huntsvilleherbsociety.org.