Rita Heikenfeld's Plant Suggestions for Mary Gardens

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ROSES: Roses are the emblem of Mary and she is called the First Rose of Martyrs. The rose was also adopted as the emblem of Mary’s love of God. Here’s a list of appropriate plants, some of which are mentioned in the Bible and some of which are associated with Bible times but not specifically mentioned.

MINT, FENNEL, AND DILL: all tithing herbs but great in cooking

MARY'S BEDSTRAW: a low growing perennial that looks like what might have been put in the manger. My statue of Mary stands on the bedstraw.

DAY LILIES: These are edible, but most lilies represent our Lady for her purity and chastity. White Lilies especially. And Angel Gabriel is often shown holding a lily.

CILANTRO: the seed of this plant, Coriander, is sometimes mentioned as the manna of the Bible.

ROSEMARY: supposedly this herb was named Rosemary because Mary tossed her blue cloak over the bush and the flowers turned blue. This is a piney tasting herb full of antioxidants.

OREGANO/HYSSOP: Moses told the Israelites to dip a branch of hyssop in lamb’s blood to mark their door posts.

FLAX: it has beautiful blue flowers and the linen from the shroud of Turin is supposed to have been made from the stem of this flower.

SNAPDRAGON: another edible flower which is called infant Jesus’ shoes

MARIGOLD: I like Calendula, an edible member of this family and one I use in my homemade spa products. “Mary’s Gold” equates itself also with sunflowers and common marigolds.

ROSE OF SHARON: another edible flower for the Mary Garden. It becomes a nice background bush.

PANSIES: These are called Our Lady’s Delight.

FORGET ME NOTS: These remind us of Mary’s eyes. They’re a beautiful blue.

GARLIC: not fragrant is a sweet sense, but mentioned in the Bible.

THYME: this herb grew wild in the hills of Jerusalem and the area.

COSTMARY: I love this herb – it’s called the Bible herb because folks used to put a leaf in their Bible to keep them awake during long sermons. It has a balsam like aroma.