Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Domestic Church
 4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Subject Topic: Flowers for Mary Garden Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
aussieannie
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: May 21 2006
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7251
Posted: April 29 2009 at 12:54am | IP Logged Quote aussieannie

We are very close to re-establishing our Mary garden, so VERY exciting for us!

I am reading a book "Mary Flowers" by Vincenzina Krymow. I really want to plant 'Marian' flowers in particular.

From that book I've checked off the following that I am able to get locally, which I've listed below.

Can anyone share their recommendations from this list, what they know to be an easy grower, lovely flowers etc.?

violet
Star Of Bethlehem      Ornithogalum umbellatum
Jobs Tear      Coix lacryma-jobi
Juniper      Juniperus communis
Saint Mary's Thistle      Silybum marianum
Blue Flag      Iris versicolour
Lily-of-the-Valley      Conval laria majalis
Solomons Seal      Polygonatum spp.
Lady's Bedstraw      Gallium verum
Ladies Smock      Cardamine pratensis
Ladies Mantle     Alchemilla vulgaris
Carnation, Love Pinks     Dianthus caryophyllus
Costmary       Chrysanthe mum balsamita
Centaury       Centaurium erythraea
Ox-Eye Daisy      Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Marshmallow      Althaea officinalis
Pennyroyal       Mentha pulegium
Cowslip      Primula veris
Sweet Woodruff      Asperula odorata   
Wormwood, Roman     Artemisia pontica
Rose Campion     Lychnis coronaria
Rosehip       Rosa canina
Motherwort      Leonurus cardiaca
Betony       Stachys officinalis
Belladonna       Atropa belladonna
Thyme,      Wild Thymus serphyllum
Rue       Ruta graveolens
Saint John's Wort, Prostrate      Hypericum perforatum elixir
Spanish Moss       Tillandsia usneoides
Edelweiss       Leontopod ium alpinum
Feverfew       Chrysanthe mum parthenium
Periwinkle, Lesser      Vinca minor
Dandelion        Taraxacum officinale
Hawthorn        Crataegus monogyna   
Cinquefoil        Potentilla reptans

__________________
Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!

Back to Top View aussieannie's Profile Search for other posts by aussieannie Visit aussieannie's Homepage
 
stellamaris
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Feb 26 2009
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2732
Posted: April 29 2009 at 3:30am | IP Logged Quote stellamaris

This looks lovely. One caution I would make is that vinca minor (periwinkle), while it is a lovely ground cover, gets very thick and will smother small flowers. Like ivy, it can really take over an area and require a lot of trimming/pulling it up to control here in our Virginia climate. I'd check with local gardeners to be sure it's not too invasive where you live, or put it in an area where it can spread under larger bushes and trees.

__________________
In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
Back to Top View stellamaris's Profile Search for other posts by stellamaris Visit stellamaris's Homepage
 
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
Posted: April 29 2009 at 7:10am | IP Logged Quote JennGM

Hmmm, I know thyme will grow easily and nicely. Dandelions -- way too easily. I'm not brave to actually PLANT them! But I can send a few dead ones your way...

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
Back to Top View JennGM's Profile Search for other posts by JennGM Visit JennGM's Homepage
 
aussieannie
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: May 21 2006
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7251
Posted: April 29 2009 at 7:29am | IP Logged Quote aussieannie

If the dandelions try to take off, I'll be able to strip back their leaves and dry them out...my own dried herb! Thyme is actually another one that will be handy for me as I use it a bit in the kitchen.

Thanks for the heads up on the periwinkle, that's the sort of thing I need to know!

I think I'll make up little wooden signs for each plant in the garden, a bit like this:

"Mary's Purification"
      Cinquefoil

It'll be good for the children, very visual, a great way to learn and be aware just what the plants represent.

I'll have to take some before and after shots...it doesn't look too good at present.

We hope to put in a cream sandstone brick retaining wall about knee high and our statue of Our Lady of Grace is also in cream stone with a matching pedestal.

My deadline is the 24th of May, the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians - a very special Marian feast for Australians..it falls on a Sunday this year - Yay! So I hope to have the garden completed for a big May Day Crowning.

__________________
Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!

Back to Top View aussieannie's Profile Search for other posts by aussieannie Visit aussieannie's Homepage
 
TxTrish
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: Oct 23 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 321
Posted: April 29 2009 at 8:22am | IP Logged Quote TxTrish

I can grow daisy's. So, I would have to say they are an easy grower.

I also like this website for Mary Garden info: http://www.mgardens.org/


__________________
+JMJ+
Gabrielle20, Deavon18, Elizabeth12, Mary10, Greg8
and a grandson!
My Blog

"Duty before everything, even something holy"
St.Padre Pio
Back to Top View TxTrish's Profile Search for other posts by TxTrish
 
MaryM
Board Moderator
Board Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
Posted: May 02 2009 at 12:56am | IP Logged Quote MaryM

Yes, I second daisies being easy to grow. And feverfew as well - both pretty hardy.

I love violets and lily-of-the-valley - both are beautiful and have delicate flowers. Once they are established both are pretty easy to grow and maintain.

Sweet Woodruff is hardy - likes shadier areas.

__________________
Mary M. in Denver

Our Domestic Church
Back to Top View MaryM's Profile Search for other posts by MaryM Visit MaryM's Homepage
 
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
Posted: May 02 2009 at 1:51pm | IP Logged Quote Betsy

I have steered clear of Lily-of-the-valley because I believe it is poisonous if eaten. But, I do love them.

I would recommend taking your list to a large green house and talking with some knowledgeable staff there.

When I was planning mine last year I made a list, like yours. When I took it in they were able to give me recommendations of cultivars that thrived in my hot climate and tell me which plants won't grow in this area(even though some literature says they will).

One example was carnations. Real carnations don't grow in my area well, but I was able to substitute a cultivar of dianthus that bloomed all summer and tolerated heat and drought. It's my nature to be a purist...but I needed to override this desire to get plants that would grow!!

Betsy
Back to Top View Betsy's Profile Search for other posts by Betsy
 
florasita
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: April 06 2007
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 907
Posted: May 04 2009 at 6:44pm | IP Logged Quote florasita

Anne I was going to post violet first off ! I love flowers you can eat ;-)
I love pansies and johnny jump ups I had a pansy garden in our Mary garden last yr dedicated to my Aunt Pansy who passed away last summer @ 96 yrs .
how about poppy they re-seed too , malo is nice pink or purple flowers . lily of the vally is poisoness . I have day lilly which apparently can be eaten I think .I think they fry the flowers in china . the mary garden site is so good for listing the represntations of each flower because I forget them all . There are different ones from medeval times or rennasaince times etc.
I have a sacred heart garden too and this yr want to start a st. Fiacre & and ST. Isadore garden . Ilike the idea of making time and effort into little areas working with each saint . the sacred heart garden is where 3 of our miscarried babes were placed under my rose bush you saw on the blog .
   You already have such a long list Anne I don't know much more to add to it .
I do like portulaca ( sp?) they come in such nice vibrant colours but I have to buy them each summer and am trying to get more and more into flowers that are perrennials or I can start by seed or root .
   have to run . Take care and I hope to see some pics of your efforts in your garden soon ;-)
God Bless , Roxie


__________________

May I rise & rest with words of Gratitude on my Breath
May I have the Heart & Mind of a Child in my Depth
May I forever remember to be a Light
May Peace Love & Hope be My Sight
Back to Top View florasita's Profile Search for other posts by florasita Visit florasita's Homepage
 
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
Posted: May 04 2009 at 6:51pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM

Are any of these plants considered invasive in certain areas? I was thinking of trying to build my garden with more native plants, or at least those that won't cause problems.

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
Back to Top View JennGM's Profile Search for other posts by JennGM Visit JennGM's Homepage
 
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
Posted: May 04 2009 at 7:19pm | IP Logged Quote JodieLyn

marigolds? I like marigolds.. they're so cheerful.. and they're supposed to help keep bugs away. and there are SO many varieties these days.. I had some last year that were a creamy white.. and they come with short small flowers or taller and bigger flowers etc. So that you could find a variety that would work in lots of locations.. they love sun and tolerate heat well.

__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
Back to Top View JodieLyn's Profile Search for other posts by JodieLyn
 
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
Posted: May 04 2009 at 7:26pm | IP Logged Quote JodieLyn

oh and on poisonous plants.. for instance poinsetta.. you often have to eat a lot for it to have any negative effect. And they usually taste nasty too.. so you might check into how poisonous they really are.. is it dangerous if a child gets a piece in their mouth.. or would they have to eat a large salad of it.   

__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
Back to Top View JodieLyn's Profile Search for other posts by JodieLyn
 
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
Posted: May 04 2009 at 8:48pm | IP Logged Quote Betsy

JodieLyn wrote:
oh and on poisonous plants.. for instance poinsetta.. you often have to eat a lot for it to have any negative effect. And they usually taste nasty too.. so you might check into how poisonous they really are.. is it dangerous if a child gets a piece in their mouth.. or would they have to eat a large salad of it.   


Thanks for the tip! Although I wouldn't put my voracious eaters past it!
Betsy
Back to Top View Betsy's Profile Search for other posts by Betsy
 
Mary K
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: May 14 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 945
Posted: May 04 2009 at 8:56pm | IP Logged Quote Mary K

dandelions? violets? that means almost my entire yard is a Mary Garden. (no outside statue, though). They're safely inside with my 6 and 3 yo daily flowers nearby.
God bless,
Mary-NY
Back to Top View Mary K's Profile Search for other posts by Mary K
 
aussieannie
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: May 21 2006
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7251
Posted: May 05 2009 at 3:59pm | IP Logged Quote aussieannie

I did forget to add that we are in a sub-tropical climate...all those plants I've listed above are available to me but they post all over Australia, and it has a wide variety of climates...though this business IS only an hour or so from my home, though it may get just a little colder than us, since we are by the sea...

__________________
Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!

Back to Top View aussieannie's Profile Search for other posts by aussieannie Visit aussieannie's Homepage
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com