Medieval Herb Gardener's Diary

Jul 31 2009

A Medieval Herb Gardener’s Diary


JULY  IN THE MEDIEVAL GARDEN

 

Medieval Herb Garden Entrance

Medieval Herb Garden Entrance

Cells from Medieval Garden

Cells from Medieval Garden

 In July those early-blooming flowers of Spring and Summer make way for more spectacular garden characters to take centre stage. Red “ROSA GALLICA”, known as the “Apothecaries Rose” and white “ROSA ALBA” make a pretty and scented frame around the CHAMOMILE SEAT at the “Women’s Tower” end of the garden.  The seat was re-planted on May 13th this year and has grown very well throughout June.  It now fills the seat area and together with the Roses and Madonna Lilies gives an accurate reconstruction of a ladies’ seating area throughout the 1400’s.

 The Arbour at the “Ypres Tower” end of the garden is growing well, and a beautiful white rose adorns the balcony.  GRAPEVINES, HONEYSUCKLE and ROSES clamber over the Arbour Structure, providing shade, scent and taste if the grapes develop successfully!  At the foot of the honeysuckle nestle little “HOUSELEEKS”, traditionally thought to protect against fire and lightening – so an appropriate plant for the Arbour! “Leek” is an ancient word for “plant” and has been used for centuries.

Val Gill in Medieval Costume in the Garden

Val Gill in Medieval Costume in the Garden

 

 At the foot of the staircase are a couple of large HOLLYHOCKS, beautifully pastel-shaded in peachy-apricot. These would not have been seen in earlier medieval times, as they were introductions from abroad.  Queen Eleanor of Castile, the wife of Edward 1st, introduced many plants from her native land to Britain, including these spectacular Hollyhocks and lavender species. Our medieval-costumed garden guide, Val Gill, wears a  pretty outfit which tones beautifully with these softly-shaded plants of the July Garden.

 

e are privileged to have a rare medieval plant just by the Hollyhock on the left-hand border by the staircase – MOTHERWORT (leonurus cardiaca), whose Latin name provides a clue to its use.  For centuries this plant has been used as a sedative particularly for pregnant women, hence its common name.  And the leonurus?  Well, the whorls of leaves around each stem were thought to look very similar to the tail of that most important animal of heraldry, the LION.
Another view of the Medieval Garden

Another view of the Medieval Garden

 All notes by Lin Saines – Advisor to the Rye Medieval Garden