Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Karen Meyers Hawthorn has a long history in folklore, religion and herbal medicine. In ancient times it was associated with fertility and used as a charm to ward off witchcraft and vampires…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum AKA Asperula odorata) Our Lady’s Lace, Our Lady’s Needlework
Sweet woodruff has been valued since the Middle Ages for its medicinal and aromatic properties. It was used to treat various ailments from wounds to heart problems, and to freshen…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum sp.) Our Lady’s Hair
Mary is usually shown in Medieval and Renaissance art with most of her hair covered by a veil or scarf as was the Jewish custom of her time. Women, especially…
Plants for a Mary: Longleaf Speedwell (Veronica longafolia aka Pseudolysimachion longifolium) Our Lady’s Faith
The link between Veronica longafolia and the Virgin Mary is vague but probably began in the Middle Ages when the plant was believed to have medicinal properties and was used…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis aka Chamaemelum nobile) Mary’s Plant
Roman Chamomile has been valued for over 2000 years. The ancient Egyptians associated it with their sun god, Ra, while the ancient Greeks and Romans used it medicinally to promote…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) Mary’s Tears
In the Catholic tradition, Mary endured seven sorrows and is often shown grieving in art related to the Crucifixion, Lamentation, and Pietà. Tears are a part of sorrow and grieving…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Fuller’s Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) “Our Lady’s Little Brushes”
The association between the the Virgin Mary and fuller’s teasel is tenuous and rests on tradition and folklore rather than on biblical evidence. According to legend, Mary was dedicated to…
Plants for a Mary Garden : Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) “Our Lady’s Thimble”
The association between harebell and the Virgin Mary is the result of medieval Christian traditions and folklore. Although the Bible makes no mention of Mary’s domestic skills, the veneration of…
Plants for a Mary Garden: English Holly (Ilex aquifolia) Mary’s Sorrow
The association between English holly and the Virgin Mary has its origins in pagan times. The ancient Romans used holly in their celebration of the Saturnalia, a festival honoring Saturn,…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Mary’s Bedstraw, Mary’s Humility
For thousands of years thyme has enjoyed great respect and usage. As early as 2750 BC the ancient Sumerians used thyme as a poultice and antiseptic and the Egyptians used…