It's easy to plant a Bible garden,

using plants and herbs that are mentioned in the Bible.

Theme gardens are nothing new, and there are many different ideas. Water gardens, kitchen gardens, herb gardens, native gardens, scented gardens, etc. However a bible garden is something a little different. It is an excellent theme for churches, schools, colleges and private homes.

When reading the bible and noting a reference to plants, they are frequently mentioned. In the very first chapter of Genesis, ‘and god said Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit…..’ A bible garden is a different way of bringing the bible to life.

There are many references to vines and pomegranates, mandrakes and lilies, and spices, herbs and myrrh, and many others. The plants mentioned range is size from small plants to trees, so providing an ideal base for a religious garden. The possibilities are huge, with many plants, and no two Bible gardens need to be alike! Ecclesiastes talks about King Solomon’s gardens with irrigation, vineyards and fruit trees. In other sections, the King of Assyria trained gardeners to maintain botanical gardens and parks. The hanging gardens of Babylon were one of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The study of Biblical plants has been going on for centuries, and there is sometimes disagreement amongst scholars as to the modern names of some plants that are mentioned. That’s not surprising, scholars rarely agree on anything. But that doesn’t need to worry us, there are plenty of recognisable plant varieties to choose from.

So how would one go about planting a Bible garden? Well, by simply planting the plants and herbs mentioned in the Bible. There are no hard and fast rules to follow, as with all gardens, you just go with your heart! If you wish to start small, just start in a corner of your yard, and gradually build up! A Bible garden would include some cereals, as wheat, barley, wild cotton, and grasses are all mentioned. These provide food and shelter for small birds, for what is any garden with out the birds and the butterflies?

Flowers would include anenome, narcissus, tulip, star of Bethlehem, daisy, linen flax, poppy, lily, passion flower, and thistles. For vegetables include beans, peas, onions, leeks, garlic, cucumber. Spices and herbs, coriander, dill, mint, chicory, rue, sage, black cumin, and wormwood.

The water plants, water lily, reeds, papyrus, and reed-mace (cat-tail). Melon (watermelon) is often mentioned, and of course the olive.

Then of course there are the vines, grapes and passion fruit. Fruit and nut trees include almond, fig, bay (laurel), carob, and apple. Many scholars agree that the sycamine tree of Luke 17:6 is the black mulberry. Willow and poplar are included, and acacias in the desert areas.

Don’t forget the Judas tree, Cercis siliquastrum, which is probably not actually the same tree, but is referred to often enough to justify its inclusion in a bible garden. Of course, a student of the bible would find many more plants.

In a Bible garden, labeling of plants is important. The labels might show the name of the plant, and the bible reference. Some of the wild plants mentioned in the bible may now be fairly uncommon, and so may be hard to access. That is all the more reason for trying to secure some seeds, before the plants disappear altogether.

Trees from the Boswellia species produced frankincense, which was obtained by cutting incisions in the bark, and draining the sap. Aloes, caperbush, cinnamon, myrrh (obtained from a species of tropical shrub, Commifora) henna, oleander, are all worth planting, although some may be a bit difficult to grow in cooler climates.

So, we have given you the ideas, and we hope you feel inspired enough to take action. List the plants you will need to acquire. Then all you need to do is gradually obtain the plants as you can find them, label, and incorporate them into your new bible garden.

Happy gardening, Patrick.

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