The following post originally appeared in an article I wrote for the 2005 edition of Llewellyn’s Herbal Almanac. The copyright has reverted back to me as of 2008 so I’ve decided to republish the content on The Creative Cottage blog. I’ve also added additional monastic garden design and medieval cottage garden information to this post that never appeared in the original article.
“Spreading herbs and flowerets bright,
Glisten’d with the dew of night,
Nor herb nor floweret glisten’d there,
But was carved in the cloister-arches as fair.”
-Sir Walter Scott, The Lay of the Last Minstrel, Canto II
All About Ancient Monastic Herb Gardens
Monastic communities were designed to be largely self-sufficient. The monks needed to grow all the plant material they needed for their daily survival such as foods, seasonings, medications, dye plants, aromatics, pest and insect control, and strewing materials.
St. Benedict was the founder of the Benedictine monastic order. St. Benedict drew up his monastic rule in the 6th century for use by his monastic community in Monte Cassino, Italy. The following passage is from the 66th chapter of the Regula Sancti Benedicti (Rule of Saint Benedict):
“Whenever possible the monastery should be laid out so that everything essential, that is to say water, mills, garden and workshops for the plying of the various crafts, is found within the monastery walls.”
The location of monasteries was usually keyed to discovering a source of water such as a natural spring, pond or river. The water source could be diverted to various locations throughout the monastery to be used for cooking, bathing and watering the gardens. Discovering a reliable source of water was an essential element necessary for the self-sufficiency of the monasteries.
Hortulus
“Amongst my herbs, sage holds the place of honour; of good scent it is and full of virtue for many ills.”
Walafrid Strabo, Hortulus, c. 840 AD
Hortulus was a poem written by the German monk Walafrid Strabo in the 9th century. Strabo lived from 808-849 AD and was the Abbot of Reichenau which was an island monastery located on Lake Constance in Switzerland. Hortulus, which translates to “The Little Garden”, describes Strabos personal monastery garden. The poem contains descriptions of the many herbs that were grown in his garden along with their medicinal uses. Some of the plants that are mentioned in the poem include the following:
Betony
Stachys officinalis – betony was thought to be a sort of panacea in the Middle Ages and a wide range of symptoms and problems were thought to be alleviated by this wonder herb. An infusion made of the leaves helped to relieve headaches.
Catmint
Nepeta cataria – an infusion of the leaves was used to relieve cold symptoms and to help calm a nervous disposition.
Chervil
Anthriscus cerefolium – this herb was used as a blood purifier and to warm and sooth a weak stomach.
Horehound
Marrubium vulgare – the juice expressed from the leaves was mixed with honey and used to relieve coughs and colds.
Poppy
Papaver somniferous – a syrup was made of the seed heads and used as a sleep potion, pain reliever and cough medicine. This is the opium poppy from which morphine, heroine and codeine are derived and is currently subject to legal restrictions.
Southernwood
Artemisia abrotanum – this plant was used to rid the body of worms and as an insect repellent. The ashes were mixed with oil and rubbed into the scalp to help restore lost hair.
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium – wormwood was used as a strewing herb to help repel fleas. It was also used to flavor alcoholic beverages such as beer before hops became readily available. An infusion made of the leaves was supposed to help with stomach disorders along with being able to expel worms from the intestines.
Types of Monastic Gardens
“And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden, to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.”
Genesis 2:8-10
Cloister Garth Garden
The cloister garth was a centrally located courtyard surrounded by the main buildings of the monastery namely the church, refectory, and dormitory. It contained covered alleys or hallways with a central portion open to the sky and enabled the monks to walk and meditate while partaking of the fresh air. The central courtyard section was sometimes planted with herbs and flowers. This garden was often divided into quadrants thought to represent either the four rivers of the garden of Eden or the four elements, namely earth, air, fire and water. The cloister garth often included a central fountain or sundial as part of its design.
Cemetery/Orchard Garden
When monks passed away at the monastery they were buried in the monasteries cemetery. The cemetery and surrounding grounds would often be planted with various fruit and nut trees such as apples, pears, cherries, walnuts and almonds. The fruits harvested from the trees, besides being used for culinary purposes, were also used to make a variety of beverages such as cider and perry. Perry was a fermented beverage similar to cider but made with pears instead of apples.
Kitchen Garden
The kitchen garden was known in Latin as the hortus. Culinary herbs were grown in the kitchen garden along with many varieties of vegetables. This garden was located very near to the kitchen in order to facilitate the preparation of meals. The poultry and other animal pens would have been located close to the kitchen garden as the manure cleaned out of the pens would have provided a ready source of organic fertilizer that could be used on the garden planting beds.
In addition to the various types of vegetables grown in the kitchen garden a variety of culinary herbs such as dill, oregano and parsley would also be grown in this garden.
Physic Garden
This garden was known in Latin as the herbularius and is the most interesting of all the monastery gardens for anyone interested in herbs. Medicinal herbs were grown in the physic garden. This garden was located very near the infirmary so that the herbs would be ready to harvest at a moments notice. The herbs were often grown in raised beds with pathways between the beds. Only one type of herb was grown per bed.
The herbs grown in the physic garden were in great demand throughout the monastery. They were utilized for their healing properties to aid any monks that had taken ill and to help heal the sick and poor people that took shelter in the monasteries. The monastery infirmary frequently doubled as the local hospital in areas that didn’t have separate hospitals for travelers and local peasants who couldn‘t afford to hire a physician.
The infirmary garden would have also offered a place for convalescents to stroll about in the fresh air while they were recuperating from their illness. A turf seat was an extra feature that may have been planted in some physic gardens. This was a raised bench-like bed which was planted with aromatic herbs such as chamomile or thyme. The herbs delightful fragrance would be released whenever someone sat upon the seat allowing the seat to act as a sort of ancient aromatherapy.
Sacristan Garden
The Sacristan garden was for the growing of various flowers, which were used to decorate statues of the saints and of the Virgin Mary, which were located throughout the monastery. The flowers would also be used to decorate the altar of the church chapel and used to make garlands and wreaths, which were used during the various feast days of the saints.
The flowers grown here could also be used to decorate the guest rooms and refectory. The refectory was the communal dining hall where the monks took their meals together. The sacristan garden was sometimes called Paradise as an illusion to the garden of Eden. White roses and lilies were among the more popular flowers grown in the sacristan garden as the color white symbolized purity.
Abbot’s Garden
Although the monks were forbidden to own any personal property once they joined the monastery many abbots had their own personal garden for the growing of their favorite plant varieties. The abbots garden was usually off-limits to the rest of the monastery inhabitants but the abbot may have allowed high ranking visitors to the monastery access to his personal garden. The abbot may have grown his favorite varieties of herbs, roses, and other flowers in this garden.
Farmland/Forest Gardens
The monasteries usually had farmland located outside of the monastery for the growing of crops such as grains and grape vines. These crops needed more space than was contained in the gardens located within the confines of the walled monastery. Although some fruit trees may have been grown in the monastery cemetery any large orchards were planted outside of the monastery in the surrounding farmland.
Herbs would also have been wild crafted from the surrounding countryside whenever possible. Those plants which couldn’t be found in the surrounding fields and forests or in sufficient quantity would be cultivated by the monks in the physic and kitchen gardens. Visiting monks from other monasteries would often bring presents of herb plants and seeds along with them enabling a monastery to obtain a collection of herbs and plants not commonly available in their area.
The Plan of St. Gall
St. Gall was a plan of a proposed monastery layout which was created c. 816-836 AD and included detailed drawings for the monastic gardens including a kitchen garden, physic garden, cloister-garth and a cemetery orchard. The herbs were meant to be grown in raised, rectangular beds, which were separated by narrow paths. St. Gall, although never built as planned, was thought to be the idea layout for a Benedictine monastery. A copy of the plan was found preserved in the library at the Abbey of St. Gallen in Switzerland thus the plan is referred to as St. Gall. The plan was addressed to Gozbert who was abbot of St. Gall from 816-836 AD.
The medicinal (AKA Physic) garden of St. Gall was divided into 16 individual plots and included the following plants:
Cornflag
Iris pseudacorus (AKA yellow flag) – the leaves were used as a strewing herb while the dried roots were used for chest complaints.
Cumin
Cuminum cyminum – beneficial to the digestive system especially to sluggish digestion.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare – the seeds helped to alleviate hunger, especially useful during the long fast of Lent. It also helped to relieve indigestion and gas and improve liver function.
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum – The seeds, when soaked in water, helped sooth the stomach and digestive tract.
Kidney Bean
Phaceolus vulgaris – Monks were forbidden to eat the flesh of four-footed animals (cows, pigs, sheep etc.) although this rule was not strictly enforced in the later Middle Ages. Peas and beans became a staple part of the monks daily diet. Because beans were known to cause gas any herbs that helped to relieve gas were employed for their medicinal uses. Often times these gas relieving herbs such as savory and fennel were cooked right along with the beans.
Lovage
Levisticum officinale – used for urinary trouble, jaundice and stomach disorders.
Pennyroyal
Mentha pulegium – this herb was used as a cold remedy and it was also thought to work as a blood purifier and helped alleviate stomach disorders. Pennyroyal was also used as a flea repellant.
Peppermint
Mentha piperita – relieved gas, diarrhea and stomach disorders. Mint was also useful as a cold remedy and breath freshener. It was also used as a strewing herb because of its fragrant aroma.
Rose
Rosa spp. – the rose hips (fruits of the rose) are very high in vitamin C. Rose hips and petals were used by the monks to make a variety of medicinal jams, jellies and syrups. These rose remedies helped to relieve scurvy, diarrhea and sore throats and were also thought to be able to restore ones strength.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis – thought to strengthen the memory, also burned to purify the air in sick rooms. It was also used as a strewing herb and to repel insects.
Rue
Ruta graveolens – also known as the Herb of Grace. A sprig of rue was traditionally used to sprinkle holy water during Mass. Rue was used medicinally by monks to promote clear vision and as an insect repellent.
Sage
Salvia officinalis – was thought to promote longevity, aid digestion and helped to eliminate gas. Sage was also used as a blood purifier. An infusion of the leaves helped to relieve sore throats.
Savory
Satureja spp. – aided digestion of gas-producing foods such as beans. It also helped to expel phlegm from the chest and lungs.
Tansy
Tanacetum vulgare – helped get rid of intestinal parasites. Tansy was used to make cakes called Tansies which were believed to help purify the body after the long fast of Lent. Tansy was also used as a strewing herb to help repel flies.
Watercress
Nasturtium officinale – aided digestion, cleared toxins and helped to promote ones appetite.
White Lily
Lilium candidum – also known as Madonna lily, the white color was thought to be a symbol of purity. It helped to heal inflamed and irritated skin. It was also known as an ancient cure for various foot complaints and skin problems.
The plan of St. Gall also contained 18 garden beds located in the kitchen garden for the raising of culinary herbs and vegetables. The crops mentioned on the plan were onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, celery, parsley, chervil, coriander, dill, lettuce, poppy, savory, radishes, parsnips, carrots, cabbage, beets and corn cockles.
Modern-day Monastic Gardens
There are many modern-day recreations of monastic gardens located both in the United States and abroad. Some are maintained on the grounds of ancient monasteries and contain many historically accurate features. Others are maintained at private residences and although not a traditional monastery garden they do recreate some of the features that may have been found in monastery gardens such as raised garden beds and turf seats. These raised beds often contain medicinal and culinary herbs that would have been found in traditional monastery gardens.
The Cloisters is a recreation of a medieval European monastery such as would have been located in England, France, Italy, or Germany during the middle ages (~1000-1500 AD). It is located in Fort Tyron Park in New York City and is operated by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It opened to the public in 1938. The Cloisters features the art, gardens, and architecture typical of medieval Europe. The Cloisters features 4 gardens; the Cuxa Cloister Garth Garden, the Bonnefont Cloister Herb Garden, the Trie Cloister Garden and the St. Guilhem Cloister. Over 200 types of herbs and flowers are grown in the gardens of the Cloisters.
Michelham Priory is an Augustinian Priory that was founded on a moated island in 1229. It is located in East Sussex in the United Kingdom. Today it is maintained by the Sussex Archaeological Society. Some of its features include a mile-long moat walk and 7 acres of grounds showcasing recreations of a physic garden, kitchen garden, and cloister garden. The physic garden includes over 100 plants that would have been used in the Middle Ages for medicinal purposes. The Michelham Priory museum and grounds are open to the public.
Author and photographer Mick Hales visited and photographed 28 active monasteries in the United States, England, Wales and France. The photographs he took of the monastery gardens are show cased in his book Monastic Gardens, published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2000.
Herbs to Grow in Your Monastic Garden
I once grew many varieties of herbs in my garden. A few of the herbs which I’ve grown in raised beds that may have been found in monastic herb gardens include:
Bay
Laurus nobilis – an infusion of the leaves was used to relieve gas and sooth the stomach. The oil obtained from the leaves was used externally to help reduce aching muscles and joints.
Burdock
Arctium lappa – the dried root was used as a blood purifier. The fresh leaves could be used to reduce bruises and ease the pain of burns.
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus – this plant was used to help treat various eye problems and minor wounds.
Dill
Anethum graveolens – An infusion of the crushed seeds helped to relieve gas and stimulated ones appetite.
Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis – An infusion of the leaves could be used to help alleviate fevers, coughs and colds.
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia – It was used as a strewing herb and to help repel insects. A relaxing tea could be made from its leaves and flowers.
Self heal
Prunella vulgaris (AKA heal-all) – Used to heal wounds and help stop excessive bleeding.
Sorrel
Rumex acetosa – Used to treat various skin problems. Also used as a pot (culinary) herb.
Monk Herbalist
“No joy is so great in a life of seclusion as that of gardening. No matter what the soil may be, sandy or heavy clay, on a hill or a slope, it will serve well.”
Walafrid Strabo, Hortulus, c. 840 AD
At larger monasteries, one monk may have been assigned the duty of an herbalist. It was his duty to study the many medicinal herbs and prepare the various ointments, lotions, and other items that would have been used by the monastery physician, who was also referred to as the infirmerer, to tend the sick. The monk-herbalist may have had a stillroom or workshop where he could dry and store herbs and create the various tinctures, salves, and ointments that were a necessary part of daily medieval monastery life.
The Shrewsbury Quest is located in Great Britain and is a renovated medieval Benedictine monastery, which opened to the public in 1994. The gardens are based on a plan of the monastic gardens of Christ Church, Canterbury c. 1165.
Brother Cadfael is a fictional character created by the novelist Ellis Peter. Brother Cadfael was a monk, a gardener and a herbalist featured in the 20 books of Peter’s Cadfael Chronicles. Some of the herbs that were grown by Brother Cadfael included gilvers (clove-pinks), gromwell, ginger, columbine, herb of grace and mustard. As a tribute to Brother Cadfael the Shrewsbury Quest includes Cadfael’s Herb Garden, Cadfael’s Private Gardens and Cadfael’s Workshop.
Patron Saint of Gardeners
St. Fiacre is known as the patron saint of gardeners. He was born in Ireland and lived circa 600-670 AD. He established a monastery in France and was known for his love of gardening. He spent many hours studying the medicinal healing properties of herbs and used these herbs to help heal sick and injured people that made pilgrimages to the monastery. His special symbol is the spade and statues of this saint usually show him holding this special gardening implement. You may want to honor this patron saint of gardeners by placing a small statue of his image in your garden. St. Fiacre’s feast day is celebrated on August 30th in many parts of Europe.
Let’s Keep in Touch
Do you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share? Leave a comment on this post or shoot me an email: info@thecreativecottage.net and I just might feature your story in a future blog post.
Take care,
Lynn Smythe
Founder and Chief Blogger
The Creative Cottage
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