
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994                   TAG: 9406090157
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SALEM MUSEUM'S HERB GARDEN WILL BE REMINISCENT OF 1800S ROANOKE VALLEY

An herb garden being planted at the Salem Museum is the beginning of an overall plan to landscape the museum's grounds.

Mary Crockett Hill, director of the museum, said the herb garden will be a focal point for a landscaping plan that will be developed slowly over several years.

She has invited friends of the museum to help. Response has been tremendous, she said.

The main help needed now, she said, is the donation of herb plants. But she wants plants that are historically and horticulturally correct.

By that, she means plants that are native to this area and were commonly grown in the mid-1800s, the period when the building housing the museum was constructed.

Already planted are chives, dill, fennel, lavender, oregano and rosemary. But there are about 20 others Hill still seeks.

She asks that people with plants to donate check with her about what is needed.

The herb garden will be at the back of the museum on East Main Street. It's in a fenced area about 20 by 23 feet.

Several master gardeners in Salem have done much of the work, directed by Mary Johnson.

Master gardeners are volunteer horticulturists who maintain many rose gardens and other ornamental plants on public property throughout the Roanoke Valley.

Johnson said the Salem Museum project is exciting because the master gardeners plan, install and maintain the garden. Also, she said, the garden can be expanded by creating flower or vegetable plots beside the herb area.

Others have contributed to the project, Hill said, including Pam Ogden, Joy Frantz, Bill Beckwith and P.B. Douglas. Members of garden clubs in Salem also have agreed to help.

Hill said the overall landscaping plan for the grounds is being devised by Linda Oberlender, a landscape architect.

The plan will include trees, flowers and shrubs and may include kitchen and fragrance gardens.

Hill said the herb garden will be a good educational tool and that children will be able to see and touch the plants.

by CNB