The Herbs

Botanists use the word "herb" to mean those plants that only make the soft foliage that is devoid of the materials that characterize woody plant parts. Herbaceous plants, which include annuals, biennials, bulbs, vegetables and perennials, come in infinite varieties. Dill, right, native hibiscus, bottom left, and cardoon, bottom right, are examples of a biennial, perennial, and perennial vegetable, respectively, and could be found mixed haphazardly in what were known as kitchen gardens.

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Slideshows
Plants of an Age

from the Spring 08 Journal

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Spring in Williamsburg

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Christmas in Williamsburg

Doors are decked in Williamsburg's signature style to celebrate the holiday season. Laura Viancour describes the preparations. December 1, 2008

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Podcasts
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Flowers and Herbs of Early America

Gardener Larry Griffith and Photographer Barbara Lombardi summon botanic phantoms and capture their essence on film. May 11, 2009

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Christmas in Williamsburg

Doors are decked in Williamsburg's signature style to celebrate the holiday season. Laura Viancour describes the preparations. December 1, 2008

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Natural History

A foreign landscape is revealed to a curious world by naturalist Mark Catesby. Interpreter Robb Warren talks about the man and his art. June 16, 2008

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Wren's Formal Garden

After three summers of digging, archaeologist Steve Archer hits pay dirt. October 15, 2007

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Sharing a Love of the Garden

Wesley Green loves to share his knowledge of 18th-century plants with visitors of all ages in the colonial garden on Duke of Gloucester Street. May 29, 2006

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