medieval herb garden

I am trying to be as authentic as possible, which isn't as difficult as you'd think. However, althought the Romans brought many herbs with them there were certain things that were brought over from America so they fall outside the medieval period. Below is the provisional planting list although after talking to friend who is an expert on medicinal plants, some changes will be made to exclude those like Erigeron, which came from Mexico, are not strictly correct for the period.
[align=center][align=center]The Pilgrimâ??s Rest[/align][/align]

[align=center][align=center]Provisional Plant List[/align][/align]
No. Pot size
(ltr)

3 2 Achillea millefolium Yarrow
3 2 Anethum graveolens Dill
3 5 Angelica archengelica Angelica
2 2 Artemisia abrotanum Southernwood
1 2 Artemisia absinthium Wormwood
3 2 Borage officinalis Borage
15 1 Chamaemelum nobile â??Treneagueâ? Chamomile
5 2 Echinacea purpurea Coneflower
25 1 Erigeron karvinskianus Fleabane
3 2 Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
3 2 Foeniculum vulgare Fennel
2 5 Humulus lupulus Hop
3 2 Isatis tinctoria Woad
3 2 Althaea officinalis Marshmallow
3 2 Malva sylvestris Common Mallow
3 2 Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal
9 2 Mentha sp. Mint
3 2 Nepeta Catmint
3 2 Oenothera biennis Evening primrose
3 2 Pulmonaria Lungwort
2 5 Rosa gallica Apothecary's Rose
2 5 Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary
3 2 Rumex acetosa Sorrel
1 10 Ruscus aculeatus Butchers Broom
3 2 Ruta graveolens Rue
3 2 Salvia officinalis Sage
2.5 - 3m Sambucus Elder
3 2 Saponaria officinalis Soapwort
12 1 Sempervivum sp. Houseleek
3 2 Symphytum officinale Comfrey
3 2 Tanacetum balsamita Alecost
3 2 Tanacetum vulgare Tansy
3 2 Tanacetum parthenium Teverfew
12 1 Teucrium chamaedrys Wall Germander
5 2 Thymus Thyme
12 1 Viola tricolor Heartsease
3 2 Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm
5 2 Lavandula Lavender

 

Boghopper I wish you the very best of luck with your display at Chelsea and I hope you sort out your path material because those judges can be so stern sometimes.Hel.xxx.

 

That's a good range of plants. I don't know all of them I have to admit. I'm surprised to purple coneflower in there though because I thought that came from south america some time after the medieval period.

 

You're dead right! that's one that's got to come out, :cry:which is a shame as it would have looked glorious. Never mind, hopefully it will still look good without it.
Chris

 

Did you want it for the colour or shape or both? I'm sure there are native alternatives that would work well in place of coneflower. I would scour my herb books for you but my dad borrowed them several years ago and I haven't seen them since.

 

I just liked the height and structure and of course, the colour, There are probably native alternatives in the daisy family but I suspect they are mainly white.
The details of the garden are now up on my website if you want to have a look.
<a href=â?http://www.chrisodonoghue.co.ukâ?>www.chrisodonoghue.co.uk</a>

 

Love the website and looking forward to seeing the garden at Chelsea. Good luck!

 

Well - my thoughts were along the same as clueless' reply - and did the monasteries have medicinal gardens? But they would have had non-ornamental herb gardens? As you are in Kent, does Cantebury Cathederal have any refences to a medicinal garden you could check up on? Just a thought.

But anyway - good luck - I haven't managed Chelsea yet - logisitcs & all that. Keep us posted and we could all get behind you in Alan's viewers favourite garden poll!!

 

"I haven't managed Chelsea yet - logisitcs & all that"

You gotta do that once, at least. Put it in your list of "Great things I must do before I die" ...

 

They would have. Monasteries were the equivalent of hospitals and centres of learning rolled into one in the medieval era (at least in Western Europe).


Maybe we need a Gardeners Corner excursion to Chelsea this year? I've never been either but really, really want to go this year:gnthb:

 

Aaron is quite correct, they would also have had poisons in the garden too-deadly nightshade to name but one.

I will have to go in the caravan if at all this year, never been vefore myself, and really really (please let my hubby read this) want to go.

 

Claire, I'd love to meet up with you (and anyone else who is going). Lets start a Chelsea thread later in the year.

 

Not a bad plan Aaron.

 

count me in, I'm doing all I can to go this year

 

Chelsea is always difficult for me - we always have the next week off with the little darlings as it is 1/2 term, and would have to get the outlaws up to stay so they can get them to and from school, etc, etc..... pesky kids always spoil your fun!!!!! (love 'em really)