The Philadelphia Unit is one of the 44 autonomous units which belong to The Herb Society of America. The unit was organized in 1937 in the Philadelphia suburbs as “The Central Unit” and became “The Philadelphia Unit” in 1940. Our mission is to increase our own knowledge and enjoyment of herbs and to share this knowledge and delight with the community.

 

Among our many other activities, the unit’s members have participated in the production of Herb Society publications, helped create the National Herb Garden in the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., sent numerous members as officers to national and regional functions, and designed and established teaching gardens around the Philadelphia area.

 

The Fragrant Garden at Tyler Arboretum in Lima, PA, and the 18th-Century Medicinal Herb Garden at Historic Yellow Springs in Chester Springs, PA, were designed by and still are maintained by the unit.

 

The Philadelphia Unit has also held an herb sale each spring since 1938 (1989 excepted). The sale is currently held at Historic Yellow Springs and offers more than 10,000 herb plants for sale. Proceeds from the herb sale benefit our gardens at Tyler and Yellow Springs as well as community gardens in the area.

 

Currently there are about 40 members in the unit. We meet monthly, except January, usually on the first Wednesday morning of each month. Meetings may include lectures, herb study groups, workshops, discussions, and trips to see gardens or other locations of interest.

 

As we take great pleasure in growing, using, and learning about herbs, we hope that we can successfully reach out to those who share our interest so they, too, can enjoy herbs more.

 

For information about THE PHILADELPHIA UNIT, please write to us at:
P.O. Box 273, Chester Springs, PA, 19425
 Email us at mail@hsaphiladelphia.org