History of Herb Garden Dorothy Joan Truran left her spiritual energy to those The word “herb” has been used for centuries to who love her on October 30, 1992. Dot was born in New describe plants with medicinal, culinary, aromatic and York State October 30, 1943. After Peace Corps training, other useful properties. The making of special gardens she came to Alaska in 1966. She loved the natural in which herbs are grown has a long history. Obviously, beauty of Alaska. Dot spent a great deal of time hiking such gardens gathered useful plants together for the trails and canoeing the lakes and rivers around convenience but there is a tradition of making decorative Fairbanks and Denali National Park. She was especially features out of these plantings as well. fond of music, gardening, problem solving, building From the earliest records, herbs have been associated outdoor structures and being a student of life. She was with religion. In ancient Persia, the enclosed garden an example of lifetime loving and learning. with scented and healing plants provided sanctuary or She was employed at the U.S.O., Presbyterian “paradise” for meditation. European monastery gardens Hospitality Rehabilitation Association, and State of followed the tradition of peaceful retreats sheltered from Alaska Division of Social Services. She did work for the outside world in which narrow paths divided beds the State setting up services in villages for people with that held powerful medicinal herbs. developmental disabilities. Dot served as Director of the The study of plants and their medicinal uses spread Governor’s Council for Developmental Disabilities. to scholarly institutions where patterned herb gardens Dot loved people. Her life exemplified her displayed plants for study by botanists, physicians and commitment to tolerance and acceptance of all. She artists. The first of these was at the University of Padua was an advocate for equality of opportunity. Through in Italy in 1545. By the end of the 17th century there her work with FRA and the Governor’s Council, she were “psychic” gardens throughout Europe. was able to influence and begin programs that helped Colonial explorers brought back different species and integrate people in to mainstream life throughout the more and more herbs were added to the collections. State of Alaska. Settlers took plants and these gardening traditions with Dot gave her love and nurturing to friends, family, Dorothy Truran them to the New World and traditional European-style plants and projects. Her enthusiasm for life, her herb gardens sprang up throughout North America. The engaging smile, her kindness and thoughtfulness will first botanical herb garden in North America was created be forever remembered by her friends, family and Memorial Herb near Philadelphia in 1728. colleagues. The great revival of interest in herb gardens today combines elements from all of the traditions mentioned “sing, laugh and tell funny stories” Garden above. Dot The Herb Bunch 2006 The Herb Bunch is an organized group of local herb enthusiasts who meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for fun, educational programs throughout the year. Planted and Maintained by They design, plant and maintain the herb beds at the GBG. Dues: $10 / year. “The Herb Bunch” For member info: contact Dee King at 488-7692 Volunteers Herb Garden Tour – Barbara Fay, Coordinator University of Alaska Fairbanks July 20, 2006 at 7:00PM. School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Call Dee for reservations. revised June 2006 Bird, Butterfly and Bee Garden Edible Flower Garden Heirloom Herbs This bed was designed by Emily Reiter and George This section was designed by Barbara Fay, Celeste This bed was designed by Virginia L. Damron and Wilson who also donated all the plants. Plants were Holm, Moira Nutter, and Barbara Rondine. Phyllis Haggland. These plants were selected from a chosen for contrast, diversity and their ability to attract Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) listing of plants grown in the Tanana Valley in the early birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. Plants are not Arugula ‘Roquette’ (Eruca vesicaria) 1900s in honor of the centennial of the UAF agriculture hardy in interior Alaska. Bachelor’s Button (Centaurea cyanus) program. Butterfly Bush, Silver Buddleia( nivea) Bean, Scarlet Runner (Phaseolus coccineus) Chervil, Flat Leaf ‘Comstock Feree’ (Anthriscus Butterfly Bush, Showy (Asclepias speciosa) Borage (Borago officinalis) cerefolium) Butterfly Weed ‘Gay Butterflies’Asclepias ( tuberosa) Broccoli, ‘Small Miracle’ (Brassica oleracea) Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Germander, Cat (Teucrium marum) Burnet, Salad (Sanguisorba minor) Cress, Curled Garden ‘Crispum’ (Lepidium sativum) Germander, Dwarf ‘Prostratum’ (Teucrium chamaedrys) Calendula ‘Bon Bon Bright Yellow’ (Calendula Dill ‘Fernleaf’ (Anethum graveolens) Germander, Silver (Teucrium lucidrys) officinialis) Dill ‘Mammoth’ (Anethum graveolens) Honeysuckle, Tatarian ‘Honeyrose’ (Lonicera tatarica) Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Endive ‘Tres Fine Maraichere’ (Cichoorium endiva) Honeysuckle, Wedded (Lonicera conjugialis) Chryanthemum ‘Shungiku Edible’ (Chryanthemum Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) Joe-Pye Weed ‘Little Joe’ (Eupatorium purpureum) coronarium) Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) Clove Pink ‘Grenadin’ (Dianthus caryophyllus) Lettuce, Looseleaf ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ (Lactuca Italian Bugloss (Anchusa azurea) sativa) Marigold, Signet ‘Lemon Gem’ (Tagetes tenuifolia) Lettuce, Looseleaf ‘Green Deer Tongue’ (Lactuca sativa) Lavender Garden Marigold, Signet ‘Orange Gem’ (Tagetes tenuifolia) Lettuce, Looseleaf ‘Red Sails’ (Lactuca sativa) This bed was designed by Olga Cook, Heather Rose ‘Hansa’ (Rosa sp.) Lettuce, Romaine ‘Cimmaron Red’ (Lactuca sativa) Robertson and Maggie Waite. These herbs that are Savory ‘Midget’ (Satureja hortensis) Lettuce, Romaine ‘Forellenschluss’ (Lactuca sativa) known for their wonderful scents: Lettuce, Butterhead ‘Four Seasons’ (Lactuca sativa) Lavender ‘Hidcote’ (Lavendula x angustifolia) Lettuce, Butterhead ‘Slow Bolting’ (Lactuca sativa) Lavender ‘Lady’ (Lavendula angustifolia) Lettuce, miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) Lavender ‘Munstead Dwarf’ (Lavendula angustifolia) Perennial Herbs and Native Plants Parsley ‘Hamburg Rooted’ (Petroselinum crispum Lavender ‘Provence Blue’ (Lavendula x intermedia) This bed was planned by Marsha Munsell, Barbara Fay, tuberosum) Lavender ‘Steochas’ (Lavendula sp.) and GBG Staff. It contains: Parsley, Italian (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum) Thyme, Creeping (Thymus sp.) Bedstraw, Northern (Galium boreale) Parsley, Moss Curled (Petroselinum crispum crispum) Thyme, Woolly (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) Cecily, Sweet (Myrrhis odorata) Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Marjoram, Sweet Knotted ‘Comstock Feree’ Chives, Chinese Garlic (Allium tuberosum) (Origanum majorana) Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria camschatcensis) Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) French Kitchen Garden Currant, Black (Ribes nigrum) Sage, Broadleaf (Salvia officinalis) This bed was designed by Marilyn Akselin, Gretchen Kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Savory, Summer (Satureja hortenis) Kerndt, Dee King and Maureen Schaake: Labrador Tea (Ledum palustre) Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Basil ‘Genovese’ (Ocimum basillicum) Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaa) Thyme ‘Broadleaf’ (Thymus vulgaris) Chervil, Curled ‘Crispum’ (Anthricus cerfolium) Lovage (Levisticum officinalis) Cicely, Sweet (Myrrhis odorata) Mountain Ash, Green’s (Sorbus scopulina) Parsley, Italian (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum) Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) Purslane, French ‘Large Leaf’ (Portulaca oleracea Saskatoon ‘Smokey’ (Amelanchier alnifolia) sativa) Stinkweed (Artemisia tilesii) Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) Savory, Summer (Satureja hortensis) Onion, Altai (Allium altaicum) Sorell, French ‘Nobel’ (Rumex spp.) Onion, Senescets (Allium senescens) Thyme, French Summer (Thymus vulgaris) Onion, Welsh ‘Gribovski’ (Allium fistulosum) Strawberry, Wild (Fragaria virginiana) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)