Gardens of HSA
Gardens of HSA & The National Herb Garden
Gardens of The Herb Society of America
National Herb Garden Photo Album
What's the connection between The National Herb Garden and The Herb Society of America?
The National Herb Garden was a gift from The Herb Society of America to the American people. It stands as one of the finest examples of how a diverse group of people and organizations working together can achieve a dream. The National Herb Garden fulfils The Herb Society of America's mission to promote the public's knowledge, use and delight of herbs.
The garden includes hundreds of species and cultivars of herbs used for everything from perfume to cooking to medicine. Plants are labeled, and interpretive signage helps the visitor understand the herbs in context with their history and use. Constructed on a two-and-a-half-acre site at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., it is the largest designed herb garden in the United States.
The garden was completed in 1980 after fifteen years of planning and fundraising by a group of dedicated Society members. In the end, $200,000 was raised by The Society and matched by a grant from the USDA.
More than three decades later, The Herb Society of America remains committed to the success of the herb garden. Each season, The Society supports a garden intern and provides funds for special purchases. HSA members from several units volunteer frequently. In 2021, the board approved funding to help renovate paths and lighting to keep the garden beautiful and accessible to all.
Want to learn more about the National Herb Garden?
Visit the garden's web page on the U.S. National Arboretum website for a detailed description of the garden, visitation, and special events.
