Plants for a Mary Garden: Rose
Karen Roses have been cultivated since 500 BC in Persia and China and were well-loved by the ancient Roman’s and Greeks. As Christianity spread through the Roman Empire the rose was…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum)
Native to the Balkans and Middle East this herbaceous perennial bulb has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years dating back to the Bronze age Minoans on the island of…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Iris (Iris sp.)
Iris is a genus of herbaceous perennials mostly found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere from Europe to Asia and across North America. They grow from creeping rhizomes in moist environments…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
Native to Europe and Asia, this herbaceous perennial belongs to the plant family Violaceae, that also includes pansies and johnny jump ups. It grows 4-10″ tall and has a basal…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Also called myrtle and the Virgin flower this perennial evergreen vine is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes milkweed, oleander, and bluestar. It is native from…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Also known as maypop, wild apricot, and wild passion vine this perennial deciduous flowering vine is native to Southeastern US where it grows near riverbanks and in thickets and disturbed…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Blue Passionflower (Passiflora caeruleae)
Also known as bluecrown passionflower and common passion flower, this vigorous vine is native to South America from Bolivia to Brazil and northern Argentina. It is a member of the…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Palestinian Tumbleweed (Anastatica hierochuntica)
Also known as rose of Jericho, Maryam’s flower, flower of St. Mary, St. Mary’s flower, Mary’s flower, and white mustard flower, this annual herb is native to the deserts of…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Common St. John’s wort is a herbaceous perennial known for its medicinal properties from ancient times. It is native to Europe, western Asian and North Africa where it occurs in…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Crown of Thorns ( Euphorbia milii var. splendens aka Euphorbia splenden)s
Native to Madagascar, this evergreen semi-succulent shrub is a member of the spurge family, Euphorbaceae, that also includes pointsettia, croton, and castor oil plant. The plants grow up to 6′…