Diversity in the Garden

“Because we already follow the principle of Biodiversity in our vegetable garden every season, we wanted to add another element this year,” says Angela. “The idea was to highlight the people in our community who had experiences with cultures and plants outside of Utah.”

Her first step was to contact Thanksgiving Point staff across the property and Ashton Gardens’ volunteers and talk with them about the plants that have had an impact on their lives. She received seven unique responses:

1. Shiso from Japan: Also known as the “Beefsteak Plant”, this popular Asian herb is known for its jagged leaves and fresh flavor. It is a member of the mint family.
2. Lantana from California: A shrub with multicolored flowers and fragrant leaves, this plant is excellent at attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
3. Herbs De Provence from France: Common herbs that add flavor to any dish, Herbs De Provence traditionally include basil, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, oregano, and bay leaf.
4. Butterfly Weed from Mexico: These tall plants with blood orange and lemon-yellow flowers are a species of the milkweed genus. While they’re inedible to humans, butterflies and hummingbirds love this plant’s bright color and rich taste.
5. Nasturtium from Oregon: These plants are known for their cheerful look and their interesting taste. The young leaves taste like watercress, while the older leaves have a peppery, spicy taste. The pollinators love these flavors just as much as humans do.
6. Passion Vine from Brazil: These fast-growing, trailing vines love the sun and warm climates. While the fruit is delicious, several other parts of the plant are harmful if ingested. This vine is a favorite among many insects.
7. Collard Green from North Carolina: It’s not The South without some Collard Greens! This plant is an extremely popular ingredient in several recipes in the Southern United States. They look like cabbages without heads and have long and large green leaves.

After the seeds were in the ground, she teamed up with the marketing department to help with signage. This signage expressed the stories behind the greenery in the garden beds.

When visitors saw the Butterfly Weed, they would learn that it reminded Gabriela Mendez, a member of the Horticulture team, of growing up in Mexico where it would grow in the creeks and provide food for the butterflies and hummingbirds.

When they saw the Herbs De Provence, they would come to know that Axel Estable, Director of Learning and Engagement, would see these herbs regularly grow on the limestone around the Mediterranean coast of France. He recalls that the best way to gather them was to just rip the plants directly off the rocks.

When they saw the Nasturtium, they would discover how Karma Anderson, the Irrigation Manager, has an aunt in Oregon who always had big beds full of this plant. They would learn that the flowers are deliciously hot and sweet.

These plants, while new to so many visitors, have strong sentimental meaning to Thanksgiving Point volunteers and staff. They bring memories of their childhood or family to life.

With the correct signage and the plants growing, guests came in and got to experience something completely unique from what they were used to in Utah. They were able to receive education on not only these specific plants but also the importance of (bio)diversity.