A place of quiet, communion, and learning, the MUIH herb garden is a haven for all who visit, work, and study on our campus. The herb garden also provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience gathering and tending medicinal plants and offers a living example of many of the herbal medicines used in the Natural Care Center and Herbal Dispensary.
Located in an open field behind the school, the garden consists of a grouping of naturalized beds and free growing shrubs and small trees. The herb garden contains more than 120 medicinal plant species from around the world, including vegetation of multiple habitats. Medicinal plants are in close proximity to each other, labeled and organized into multiple demarcated garden beds, making them easy to identify and learn about. Wild herbs are intermingled throughout the areas surrounding the garden. Herbs include everything from small herbs and vines to shrubs and trees, annuals to perennials, natives and non-natives. A small grape arbor also contains plantains, roses, wild strawberries and echinacea. There is a pergola with seating that planted with wisteria (for shade) hops, grapes, roses, a hydrangea, lavender and a peony. Another bench offers seating in the sun.
Applying Permaculture design principles allows it to be in harmony with nature’s rhythms and energies, while using sustainable and regenerative approaches to water, weed, wildlife and waste management. Weeds are managed manually by hand & mulching, insect pests without the use of pesticides or any chemicals, wildlife through the use of various layers of fencing and water is conserved via mini-swales & contoured beds. The back of the garden is fitted with three compost bins, a compost tumbler and storage sheds. Garden waste is composted and added back into the garden (particularly the trees). The pathways are grassy walkways, between the beds.
Website: http://www.muih.edu/campus-community/about-campus/herb-garden
At A Glance
- Region
North America - Country
United States - Latitude
0° 0′ 0″ N - Longitude
0° 0′ 0″ E - Partners
United Plant Savers - Ecosystem
Grassland - Cultural Scope
Plants used for medicinal and native herb education
