Group focuses on plants, flowers in the Bible
By Jessica Chapman

The perfume Mary Magdalene in the Bible used to wash Jesus Christ’s feet can be taken from a plant found only in the Himalaya Mountains.
The thorns used as a crown for Jesus Christ during his crucifixion can be narrowed down to three different thorns found in Jerusalem.
And on any given day, a Biblical-era plant or flower can be found around High Springs, including figs, yellow daisies, sage, olives and pomegranate.

More than 120 flowers and plants in Alachua County are included in the Biblical Botanical Gardens Society, an organization designed to add a spiritual component to gardening and inform people of the history behind some of the plants and flowers in the Bible.


Ed Bez, the director of the Biblical Botanic Gardens Society, has now moved the national organization's location to High Springs. More than 120 flowers and plants in Alachua County are included in the Biblical Botanical Gardens Society, an organization designed to add a spiritual component to gardening and inform people of the history behind some of the plants and flowers in the Bible. Photo By Jennifer Walker.

The Biblical Botanical Gardens Society, which has groups throughout the United States, is now based in High Springs.

The society visits local churches and schools to help them begin a Biblical garden, as well as offers free lectures as a way to inform the public about the plants and flowers, said Ed Bez, director of the society.

A Biblical garden can be useful for churches as a visual aide or site for prayer and meditation. A Biblical garden can also be used as a permanent memorial after someone’s death, Bez said.

The society has recently moved to High Springs from Atlanta after having trouble finding affordable acreage in the area. Florida was a good choice because of the well-known gardening for the area, Bez said.

“Most of the fine gardening is done by seniors (citizens), mostly ladies, and they are very good at it,” Bez said. “This just adds the spiritual component to it.”

The society also plans an educational program, called the Apiary Science Project, for children.

Biblical Botanical Gardens Society partner with Dadant & Sons, a beekeeping company, to show the importance of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and birds, in the environment.

“We feel (children are) disconnected from outside,” Bez said. “They know about text messaging but nothing about plants and flowers.”

In an effort to further illustrate the Biblical lifestyle, the group host “Dining with the Ancients,” a Biblical feast with authentic meals and multiple courses. The dinner last about two and a half hours.

The society also will offer a free lecture discussing various plants and Biblical gardens.

Bez said that he has found that some of the most fascinating stories discussed at meetings come from the plants and flowers around people everyday.

For example, he said, when ancient Egyptians mummified bodies, they removed the eye socket and replaced them with onions. They would draw a picture of an eye on the onion to make it appear real.

“After you know these things, you can’t turn a page in the Bible without considering them,” he said.