The Alaska Botanical Garden Part Two; Herb Garden and Lyle's Garden

Designed by Cathy Sage and Land Design North, and built in 1996, the Herb Garden is a haven of botanical delights.  It showcases a variety of annual and perennial medicinal and culinary herbs, some native to Alaska.  This garden is maintained by the Herb Study Group.

Here we are at the main entrance to the circular garden surrounded by a wooden structure which encloses a path around the garden.

The herbs are planted in a series of raised concrete beds.

 There are openings in the wood structure around the perimeter  to allow visitors to re enter from various points. So many interesting herbs!  There were more varieties of mint than I knew existed.

View of the path surrounding the garden.

 Fun facts from the ABG website:

The average annual precipitation in the
Anchorage area is just over 15 inches.
The average annual temperature is only
35.7 degrees Fahrenheit. In June, July,
and August, the average daily high
temperatures are in the mid 60's, with
a range from 55 to 80 degrees.

 

The longest day of the year falls on summer
solstice, June 20 or 21. In Anchorage, the
solstice brings 19 hours and 20 minutes of
daylight. Anchorage's shortest day of the year
is in late December, with only 5 hours and 28
minutes of daylight.

 

In the Anchorage area, the growing
season is about 120 days long. The first frost-free date can vary widely, from the end
of April until the end of May; and the first Autumn frost may occur anytime between
the end of August and the middle of
September. A "typical" growing season is
mid-May through mid-September. Changes
in elevation of 500 feet in the Anchorage
bowl can shorten the growing season by
one week on each end!

On to Lile's garden.  This peaceful and serene garden is named in honor of Lile Bernard Rasmuson.  Recently completed, it was designed by renowned landscape architect, Carol R. Johnson, in conjunction with local firm, Earthscape.  Plantings and selections were  guided by local artist and garden designer, Ayse Gilbert.

Plantings and selections were  guided by local artist and garden designer, Ayse Gilbert. Fruit trees hardy to Southcentral Alaska are showcased here, as well as a new "Gold Medal" Peony collection and Primula collection. 

Notice the sprinkler.  I noticed in several locations (hospital lawn among them - my first great, great niece was born while we were there) that there are no in ground sprinkler systems in use in this area.

It was explained to me, in nice monosyllabic words that I could understand, that the ground freezes many feet deep here and, even if the systems were drained, they would be destroyed.  Hmm.

I liked the paving in this garden! 

I learned later on a tour of the Miller garden that this is a native.  I was also told not to get too excited as "this is it's moment"  meaning that it doesn't bloom long as berry production is where it puts most of it's energy.  Still the large foliage is lovely.

Part of the primula and peony collections.

Iris setosa playing a starring role in the garden.

This botanical garden uses the same irrigation strategy as I do.  Cool!

Follow the grey brick road!

And you'll see a cute little munchkin.  Funny, that's what the bear call them too.

The curvaceous lines of the paths in Lyle's garden appeal to me.  I admire straight and angular paths and beds but can't pull them off in my garden.  For me curving paths add a quality of mystery as they disappear around a corner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another lovely primula.

The Bergenia in the front of the bed had finished blooming but those flashes of red sure catch the eye!

 Oriental poppies!  Yum!

It's hard to pass up the opportunity to take some pictures of these photogenic flowers!

 

One more post about ABG and we're off to see an incredible garden in zone 2.  Yes zone two!