Compared to the longevity and age of the botanical gardens, whose origins can be traced back to 1907, the herb garden is a relatively new addition. The structure is loosely based on 16th-century, Tudor-style architecture, and the herbs are organized to facilitate a symbiotic relationship with the nearby wildlife ("Alexandra"). A "knot garden" was "originally used as a way for gardeners to organize edible plants for culinary or medicinal purposes during medieval times in Europe (Maloney). Despite being in a relatively closed-off area, the Hicks garden was cultivated to “avoid” introducing “invasive species” ("Matthaei"). As a result, the garden is made of different household species of thyme, lemongrass, and rosemary, perennial plants that grow throughout all seasons and survive multiple harvesting cycles. These only have to be rotated out of the garden under special circumstances or by preference ("Alexandra").

The location was developed as a result of increased visitation to the botanical gardens in the 1990s by school groups as well as the general public. The aim was to produce a series of specialized collections “in collaboration with local garden club organizations” ("Matthaei"). The result: a rich tapestry of plants, all with culinary, textile, and healing significance. In 2004, "The Herb Garden" was rechristened in honor of its founder, Alexandra “Sandy” Hicks, who lived a quiet, quaint lifestyle much like the gardens. Although little is known about her, she is remembered for her love of culinary arts and healing plants (Jensen).

Not much more is publicly know about Sandy and her contributions to Ann Arbor because she was, most refreshingly, just a regular person. The majority of her life was dedicated to sharing these interests as the president of the Herb Study Group at the botanical gardens ("Alexandra"). Donations to the garden after her passing were the ultimate embodiment of Sandy’s life, a chance to increase the public’s education on what she loved most ("Alexandra").