According to horticulturist and garden designer Holly Shimizu, “Herbs are defined as plants (trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials or annuals) valued historically, presently, or potentially for their flavor, fragrance, medicinal qualities, insecticidal qualities, economic or industrial use, or in the case of dyes, for the coloring material they provide.”
Shimizu is a former curator of the National Herb Garden at the National Arboretum and designer of the herb garden at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.
In the Midlands, The Herb Bunch originated when three friends, Melinda Spencer, Beverly Kleckley, and Willie Wingard, decided to share their fascination and knowledge of herbs with a larger audience. Working with the Lexington County family and Community Leaders Group, an extension of Clemson University, the triad sent out flyers, made phone calls, and gathered 35 herb enthusiasts for the first meeting in August 1997. The first bunch included husbands and wives, working mothers, students, gardeners, business leaders, and educators. All had the goal of sharing their enthusiasm and interest for herbs with others.
Eggshells are easy herb seed starting pots for children and adults.
Twenty-seven years later, the enthusiasm continues. The Herb Bunch, a non-profit organization, meets the third Tuesday of each month to continue learning and sharing. Each meeting follows a format that includes “Sage Thyme” where members take turns teaching the group about herbs or medicinal plants. Often cuttings of the herb or whole plants are brought to smell, taste, and take home. Meetings consist of a rotation of “hostesses” who bring in a potluck of food flavored with herbs. Some meetings feature experts to talk on special topics. Recently Matt Kip of Full Belly Foraging took the group foraging.
Monthly meetings take place at Living Word Assembly of God Church at 2034 Augusta Highway at 6:30 p.m. Newcomers are welcome.
The Herb Bunch conducts community projects. The group is working to create a historically accurate herb garden at the Lexington County Museum where its annual Herb Festival is held each year. The Herb Festival raises funds to provide scholarships to two local high school students who plan to study agriculture or horticulture in college.
The 12th annual Herb Festival “It’s All About Herbs” will take place Saturday, April 6 from 9a.m.–3 p.m. on the grounds of the Lexington County Museum at 231 Fox Street in Lexington. Vendors will include mushroom growers, beekeepers, artists, a coffee truck, the Herb Bunch Bake Sale, and a huge Plant Sale with hundreds of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. There will be an educational activity for children. The free festival will be rain or shine. Come meet the Herb Bunch.
The beloved bake sale at the Herb Festival sells out quickly.
Matt Kip leads the Herb Bunch on a foraging walk.
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