The garden was designed by Marie Stella, a noted landscape historian and designer, and a former member of the New England Unit of The Herb Society of America. The garden is located on the grounds of Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street (Route 16) in Wellesley, MA, home of The Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Elm Bank features several specialty and demonstration gardens, which includes the Noanett Garden Club (ornamental grasses), the Rhododendron Society, the Daylily Society, the Trial Gardens, Weezie's Children's Garden, the Italianate Garden, and more.
The Teaching Herb Garden is now 14 years old (2015). The construction phase of the garden was completed in 2004, when a beautiful, custom-built circular bench was installed around the Ginkgo tree, the focal point of our garden. This picture was taken shortly after the bench was installed.
The garden is divided into theme beds, which radiate from the center and include: fragrance, dye, culinary, native American, medicinal, edible plants and flowers, and a Colonial theme garden. A collection of Salvia plants was added in 2006. Along one side, a rectangular bed is planted with sweet violets and groundcover plants. On the opposite side of the garden, we feature the "Herb of the Year." Another bed features an Ecumenical Garden. The plants in this garden have religious or symbolic importance in the five major religions, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. On either side of the teaching arbor, the beds are overflowing with roses and lavender and the perennial border is a visual delight. Planter/benches hold fragrant herbs that welcome visitors to touch and feel and to also smell the herbs.
We welcome you to come and visit our garden. The garden is maintained by members of the New England Unit of The Herb Society of America. We are a 501(c)(3) educational society whose members are dedicated to the use and delight of herbs.
Bench design and construction by Albert Bangert, Sunnycroft Woodworks.
