Plants for a Mary Garden: Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum)
Karen The Madonna lily has been revered since ancient times and was considered a symbol of beauty, fertility and wealth. The ancient Egyptian dedicated it to Isis, the goddess of motherhood…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Iris (Iris sp.)
Iris is a genus of herbaceous perennials mostly found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere from Europe to Asia and across North America. They grow from creeping rhizomes in moist environments…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
Native to Europe and Asia, this herbaceous perennial belongs to the plant family Violaceae, that also includes pansies and johnny jump ups. It grows 4-10″ tall and has a basal…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Also called myrtle and the Virgin flower this perennial evergreen vine is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes milkweed, oleander, and bluestar. It is native from…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Also known as maypop, wild apricot, and wild passion vine this perennial deciduous flowering vine is native to Southeastern US where it grows near riverbanks and in thickets and disturbed…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Blue Passionflower (Passiflora caeruleae)
Also known as bluecrown passionflower and common passion flower, this vigorous vine is native to South America from Bolivia to Brazil and northern Argentina. It is a member of the…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Palestinian Tumbleweed (Anastatica hierochuntica)
Also known as rose of Jericho, Maryam’s flower, flower of St. Mary, St. Mary’s flower, Mary’s flower, and white mustard flower, this annual herb is native to the deserts of…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Christ’s Knee (Tigridia pavonia)
This tender perennial bulb is a native of semitropical to semi-alpine climates of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Hondurus. It is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Common St. John’s wort is a herbaceous perennial known for its medicinal properties from ancient times. It is native to Europe, western Asian and North Africa where it occurs in…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: London Sherry Wine
Karen Meyers Sherry wine is a fortified wine made from white grapes that originated in the Cadiz area of southern Spain when the Phoenicians introduced the first vines to Jerez in Andalusia,…