Herb Festivals in Round Top, Texas

Venue and Setting

• The Round Top Festival Institute, founded by renowned concert pianist James Dick, began in the early 1970s as an instructional program for a small group of up-and-coming piano students. It is now a nationally known center for the performing arts, education and research. Festival Hill, the institute's 210-acre campus, has a 1,000-seat concert hall, a circa-1883 chapel and lushly landscaped grounds that include parks, ponds, nature preserves, herb gardens, trails and picnic areas. A number of historic houses have been moved to the site and now serve as lodging and meeting space for institute guests.

Festival Facts

• The Herbal Forum, organized by the Herb Society of America's Pioneer Unit, has been held for about two decades at the Round Top Festival Institute. One of the biggest draws is Festival Hill's expansive McAshen Herb Gardens, which contain numerous medicinal species rarely seen in the U.S. and are divided into themed sections such as a Sun-Shade Garden, Fruit Tree Garden, Medicinal Cacti Garden, Pharmacy Garden and Lakeside Gardens. In addition to a plant sale and educational events, the two-day forum includes a presenters' dinner, a herb-infused garden buffet lunch and an annual blessing of the garden. On-site accommodations are available for attendees.

Lectures and Learning

• A highlight of the Herbal Forum is a variety of talks, demonstrations and educational workshops. Topics for forum presentations and workshops have included such themes as "Seasoning the Melting Pot," "The Wonderful World of Artemisia," "Creating Herbal Extracts," "Gardenin' and Grillin' With Herbs" and "Viva Tequila! Cocktails, Cooking and Other Agave Adventures." The optional workshops are limited to forum registrants, who must pay a fee and reserve a spot in advance.

Plant Sale

• The Herbal Forum's two-day plant sale, which is free and open to the public, is typically held on the West Terrace of the Festival Concert Hall and includes a large variety of herbs and ornamental plants available for purchase. Other attractions include a herbal bookstore and the Thyme Well Spent Gift Shop, which has a selection of crafts, snacks, soaps, lotions and other garden-themed collectibles. Credit cards, cash and checks are accepted for payment.