Avid expert gardener Shirley Pinchev Sidell is called a visionary by those who know her. Combined with her Master of Fine Arts in Photography, Shirley's passion is her garden and taking photographs of flowers and plants from world famous gardens, such as Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Monet's garden at Giverny, France. This website is an illustration of her skill, talent and her desire to share and learn with other gardeners. Individuals from any geographic area can help develop their own plans, projects, theme gardens, and programs using these online extensive resources.

Trip to the Holy Land

She conceived the Biblical garden theme during a trip to the Holy Land several years ago. Most of the plants she saw were familiar because “we share similar growing conditions and many of the same plants are found in my own garden,” she notes. 

Ancient Plants in Modern Gardens

Shirley not only has helped create a marvelous Biblical garden at her temple, but also expanded her growing and sharing horizons around the world . The Congregation B’nai Shalom synagogue is located on an eight acre hilltop in Walnut Creek, CA.
It sounded like a dream when Shirley announced her vision to the world to help "build a Bible garden in every home, church, synagogue, or temple..." using the Internet. Traveling throughout the world, and studying Bible gardens, Shirley has obtained a wealth of knowledge on Bible plants and Bible gardens

Since 1994 Shirley Sidell has been the chair of the landscape committee at the synagogue. She wanted to begin a Biblical garden at the synagogue in Walnut Creek, but she could not find adequate resources for the design to support and enhance the plants. As she continued research, she began assembling a database which led into another productive direction which is this website. In the past three years, gardening friends have donated millions of seeds. Others have spent hours cleaning and sorting seeds for her Free Seed offer via this website.

Next on Shirley’s horizon will be her lecture series with audiences ranging from experts to novices. Shortly, the site will post her lecture schedule. She is making CD-Roms of many photographs so that you can leisurely look at her snapshots without having to be on the internet.

This website is the result of her experience with Bible plants, photography, and gardening.

Dedication of the Biblical Garden

The B’nai Shalom Synagogue Biblical garden of Walnut Creek was dedicated on February 8, 2002. In keeping with Shirley’s focus on accuracy and shared information, all plants are well identified with descriptions and botanical as well as Scriptural references. More than 40 different plants and trees that are mentioned in the Bible are growing on the grounds of the Synagogue.

Shirley is the President and CEO of Contract Management Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in assisting California companies to qualify and obtain funds from the California Employment Training Panel.