Genesis 8:11: “And the dove came in to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off; so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.”

Plants mentioned in the Bible – such as the olive tree, palms and aloe – link ancestors of ancient times and the current generation.

When planted in a specific area, they can provide a quiet place for meditation, reflection and retreat.

Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church recently upgraded its Biblical garden/columbarium through grants from its foundation in 2017 and 2018. The garden was rededicated April 6 during a tea party.

Originally planted in late 1991 and 1992, the first garden contained herbs and plants mentioned in the Bible. Roy Wulfmeier funded the project in memory of his late wife, Helen Louise. The garden was dedicated on May 24, 1992.

Althea Halchuck, committee chair overseeing the renovations, said the intent was to more closely identify individuals of today’s modern world with Biblical stories and the people of those ancient times.

Assisting her were Dawn Lau, Jack Morris, Bob Lull, George Holton and Matt Jefferson.

The committee made an effort to obtain the exact species described in Biblical passages. Some species were either not available or not appropriate for the desert climate, said Halchuck.

For the most part, “Biblical plants grow reasonably well in Arizona, where both the climate and terrain are similar to that of Israel and the Middle East,” reads the updated guide to the local garden.

Updated plant signage was installed. The plantings are separated into those around the heart path and others around the columbarium.

A 20-page brochure serves as a guide to explain the significant and Biblical reference of several plants and trees. Quotations were borrowed from “Plants of the Bible,” by Harold N. and Alma L. Moldenke.

About 60 varieties of plants and trees are identified, plus an herb garden. The project is a work-in-progress, said Halchuck. Additional plantings can be added as gifts and donations are received.

The garden contains two olive trees, highly valued by the ancient Hebrew for bartering and anointing. In addition, they produced fruit, lumber and oil for lamps.

Six date palms decorate the garden. Not only useful for their fruit, in Biblical times the leaves were woven into brooms, mats and thatched roofs.

Oleanders, often called the rose plant, are the most abundant in the garden. Sixteen bushes add color to the landscape.