I had never heard of a Mary Garden. Until last night that is. A garden filled with flowers, plants and trees all named after Mary, mother of God. Designed to be a place of beauty and peace.
St. Benedict had a rose garden ("rosary") at his monastery in the 4th c., but the first garden we know of that was specifically dedicated to Mary was one created by the Irish St. Fiacre in the 7th c. The earliest record of a garden explicitly called a "Mary Garden" involves a "fifteenth century monastic accounting record of the purchase of plants "for S. Mary's garden" by the sacristan of Norwich Priory, in England."
I like this idea. I have to admit I consider my garden my church. Feel much more comfortable there than I do in a pew. Hahaha.
Here's a link about them and it includes a list of all plants associated with Mary. Too long to post on the blog. http://www.fisheaters.com/marygardens.html
