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Intro Mary Garden
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Flowers of Our Lady Growing at The Cloisters
John S. Stokes Jr. 1965
This is a list of plants in the Bonnefont Cloister Garden at The
Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park, New York City, which were devotionally
named as symbols of the life, virtues and mysteries of the Blessed
Virgin and her Divine Son in the oral traditions of the medieval
countrysides, circulated by itinerant preachers, mendicant
friars, wandering minstrels, roving players, pilgrims, merchants,
missionaries and other travelers.
The old religious names, largely omitted from early gardening books,
were recorded later from the surviving oral tradition through the
research of botanists and folklorists in the various countries and
regions - serving to preserve them and bring them down to the
present day.
This list supplements the 1959 Bonnefont Cloister Garden Planting
Plan, available at The Cloisters, with a listing of old, symbolical,
religious names for 150 of the 250 plants in the plan.
To he1p visitors find the plants - identified in the garden by
markers giving their botanical and common names - and then to see
them illuminated by their religious names, they are listed
alphabetically by their botanical names, followed by their common
names, one religious name, and code letters for each, indicating
their bed locations according to the accompanying sketch. The code
numbers, taken from the Planting Plan itself, show approximate
locations within the beds.
The old religions names listed are from documented surveys of the
botanical floras and folklore listings from Christian cultures,
made by Mary's Gardens of Philadelphia, a center for research and
education in gardening.
This listing of old religious names of plants is based on an
extensive documented survey of historical and present-day local
plant names recorded by lexicographers, botanists and folklorists.
It has been prepared to help the Cloisters visitor enter into the
medieval religious sense and symbolism of nature.
The religious sense of medieval arts, crafts and architecture is
imparted to us through their subject matter and orientation, and
from their style. The key to the medieval symbolism of plants, on
the other hand, is found in their old religious names, which serve
to evoke for us their old meanings and associations. Once we come
to perceive the plants according to their old names, then their
symbolism takes on an intuitive directness, immediacy and unction
quickening us to religious reflection and prayer.
The atmosphere or mood evoked by the medieval architecture and art
of The Cloisters Museum serve to assist us in developing a
religious perspective from which to view the plants in the
Bonnefont Cloister. Therefore, before going to the Cloister
gardens, we study the architecture and art exhibits of the museum
In particular, we study the famous Unicorn Tapestries of the museum,
in which there are woven over 100 different plants, some 50 of which
are included in the planting of the Bonnefont Cloister Garden. The
illuminative joyfulness of these woven plant representations witness
the loving familiarity of the weavers with the actual plants, of
which the woven likenesses are considered to be more faithful
representations than the botanical illustrations in the herbals of
the same period.
Also, while in the U.S, medieval architecture and art are found
largely in museums and private collections, the same plant species
which were seen symbolically in the medieval countrysides can be
grown today by all inexpensively in backyard, patio container, or
window box planter Mary Gardens. There they retain all the living
freshness and beauty they possessed in medieval times; and, seen by
their old names, are signatures which have all or more of the
symbolical force and impact of religious artifacts - in our daily
lives.
Flower List and Bed Locations
The plant identification numbers are those used in the 1959
Planting Plan available at The Cloisters, or by mail from the
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The bed identification letters, as shown below, are original
with this list.
Botanical Name Comon Name Religious Name No. Beds
Achillea millefolium Yarrow Our Lord's Back 59a J
Aconitum napellus Monkshood Mary's Slipper 78 D
Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Our Lord's Nail 14 F
Alchemilla vulgaris Lady's Mantle Mary's Mantle 138 J
Allium schoenoprasum Chives Our Lady's Garleek 32b L
Althea officinalis Marshmallow Our Lady's Cheeses 60b J
Anagallis arvensis Scarlt Pimpernl Ladybird 47a J
Anethum graveolens Dill Devil-Away 70 H
Angelica archancelica Angelica Angel's Plant 75 H
Anthemis nobilis Chamomile S. Catherine's Flr 28a L
Anthemis tinctoria Gldn Marguerite St. John's Flower 28b
Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine Our Lady's Shoes 114 NCPQ
Artemisia abrotanum Southernwood Our Lord's Wood 16a FL
Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Mary's Tree 16b JL
Artemisia camphoratum Southernwood Our Lady's Maid 16d H
Arum maculatum Cuckoo-Pint Lady-Lords 126b N
Asperula odorata Sweet Woodruff Lady's Bedstraw 121 J
Asphodeline lutea Jacob's Rod St. James' Staff 39 F
Atropa belladonna Deadly Nightshd Beautiful Lady 132 E
Bellis perennis English Daisy Mary's Rose 36 B
Borago officinalis Borage Virgin's Face 80 L
Bryonica dioica Bryony Our Lady's Signet 55 J
Calendula officinalis Pot Marigold Marygold 98 F
Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Our Lady's Thimble 83a O
Carlina acaulis Charlemagnes Th Mary's Thistle 94 E
Centaurea Jacea Centauria Trinity Flower 64b J,L
Centauria cyanis Cornflower Mary's Crown 64a J
Centranthus ruber Red Valerian O. L. Needlework 112 J
Ceratonia siloqua Carob St. John's Bread 139 H
Cheiranthus cheiri Wall Flower Mary's Flower 5 AF
Chelidonium majus Celandine Gift of God 82 B
Chenopodium botrys Botrys Jerusalem Cabbage 54b J
Chrysanthemum coron. Chrysanthemum All Saints Flower lld F
Chrysanthemum leucanth. Ox-Eye Daisy Mary's Star 11e H
Chrysanthemum parthen. Feverfew Mary's Flower l1f FHI
Chrysanthemun bals.tan. Costmary Our Lady's Balsam lla I
Cichorium intybus Chicory Heavenly Way 3 F
Cnices benedictus Blessed Thistle O. L. Thistle 129 H
Colchium autumnale Autumn Crocus Rose of Sharon 107 E
Conium maculatum Poison Hemlock Our Lady's Lace 137 J
Convallaria majalis Lily-of-Valley Our Lady's Tears 92 B
Coriandrum sativum Coriander Saint John's Head 56 HJ
Crocus sativus Saffron Crocus Saffron 108a Q
Cuminum cyninum Cumin Cross-Cumin 100 H
Cytisus scoparius Scotch Broom (Flight to Egypt) 95 AB
Daphne cneorum Daphne Mary's Rose 17a F
Daphne mezereum February Daphne Our Lady's Laurel 17b H
Datura stramonium Stramonium Angel's Trumpet 125 A
Delphinium consolida Field Larkspur M.of God's S1ipper lOa F
Dianthus barbatus Sweet William Our Lady's Tuft 2a F
Dianthus carthusianorum Carthusian Pink Our Lady's Bedstraw 2b J
Dianthus caryophyllus Carnation Mary's Rose 2c I
Dianthus deltioides Maiden Pink Mary's Pink 2d Q
Dianthus plumarius Clove Pink Virgin Pink 2g FILO
Dictamnus albus Gas Plant Burning Bush 91a C
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Virgin's Glove 77 H
Dipsacus fullonum Fuller's Teasel Our Lady's Brushes 58 L
Euphorbia ]athyrus Caper Spurge Virgin's Milk 63 I
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Our Lady's Fennel 68 1
Fragaria vesca Strawberry Fruitful Virgin 103 F
Galega officinalis Goat's Rue Wild Holy Hay 135 L
Galium verum Yellow Bedstraw O. L. Bedstraw 25 FH
Geranium robertianum herb Robert Mary's Bed 110 A
Helleborus foetidus Hellebore Easter Flower 79a A
Helleborus niger Christmas Rose Christmas Rose 79c A
Helleborus orientalis Lenten Rose Lenten Rose 79b A
Hesperis matronalis Dame's Rocket Our Lady's Violet 31 FJ
Hyoscyamus niger Henbane Mother of Gods Plt 27 F,L
Hyssopus officinalis Hyssop Cloister Hyssop 84 H
Inula helenium Elecampane Adam's Root 61 D
Iris florentina, blue Madonna Iris Madonna Iris 7a FHJI
Iris germanica German Iris Mary's Sword 7c FHJI
Iris pseudocorus Yellow Flag (Fleur-de-lys) 7e B
Juniperus sabina Savin Virgin's Palm 19
Laurus nobilis Sweet Bay St. Bridget's Plt 140 H
Lavendula officinalis Lavender (M. Drying Plant) 43 IK
Leucojum vernum Sprng Snowflake Easter Bells 109
Levisticum officinale Lovage Our Lady's Duster 46 H
Lilium candidum Madonna Lily Mary Lily 76 FH
Linaria vulgaris Toad Flax Mary's Flax 111 I
Linum usitatissimum Flax (Flight to Egypt) 15 I
Lunaria annua Honesty Peter's Pence 20 F
Lvchnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin Christ's Blood 45c L
Lychnis alba Evening Campion Our Lady's Candles 45a J
Lychnis coronaria Rose Campion Our Lady's Rose 45b JI
Lychnis flos-jovis Flower of Jove .Mary's Rose 45d I
Lychnis githago Corn Cockle Mary's Rose 45e L
Malva sylvestris Purple Mallow Our Lady's Cheeses 6 FHJI
Mandragora officinarum Love Apple Mandrake 127 P
Marrubium vulgare Horehound Mary's Nettle 66 F
Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm Sweet Mary 4 I
Mentha crispum Curly Mint Cross Mint 81a H
Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal O. L Flavoring 81c I
Mentha spicata Spearmint Mary's Mint 81e F
Mespilus germanica Medlar Our Lady's Berry 120 B
Muscari botryoides Grape Hyacinth Church Steeples 21a P
Muscari comosum Grape Hyacinth Lent Flower 21 N
Myosotis scorpioides Forget-me-not Eyes of Mary 29b B
Myrtus communis Myrtle Myrtle 18 H
Narcissus jonquilla Jonquil St.Joseph's Staff 105b Q
Narcissus pseudo-narcis.Daffodil Mary's Star 105c 0
Narcissus triandus Angel's Tears Angel's Tears 105d 0
Nepeta hederacea Ground Ivy Madonna's Herb 74b I
Nepeta cataria Catnip Mary's Nettle 74a J
Nigella damascena Love-in-a-Mist O. L in-the-Shade 71a J
Nigella sativa Fennel Flower Black Cross ?lb H
Ocimum basilicum Basil Holy Communion Plt 5?a H
Ononopardum acanthius Scotch Thistle Our Lady's Thistle 86 E
Origano vulgare Origano O L. Bedstraw 23d F
Ornthogalum umbellatum Star of Bethlm Mary's Tears 124 NOPQ
Paeonia officinalis Peony Mary's Rose 89 EJI
Papaver rhoeas Corn Poppy O. L. in-the-Corn 88a HJ
Petroselinum crispum Parsley O.L. Little Vine 99a F
Pimpinella anisum Anise Our Lady's Sprig 69 H
Primula acaulis Primrose Our Lady's Frills 113a 0
Primula auricula Auricule Easter Flower 113b OQ
Primula polyantha Polyanthus Our Lady's Fingers113c NQ
Primula veris Cowslip Our Lady's Keys 113e N
Ranunculus ficaria Buttercup Easter Flower 128 P
Rosa canina Dog Rose Mary's Thorn 8b 0
Rosa centifolia Cabbage Rose Vigin's Rose 8c J
Rosa eglanteria Sweetbrier Our Lady's Leaf 8f FHJL
Rosa gallica French Rose Rose of Jericho 8c A
Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary Mary's Bouquet 96 G
Rumex acetosa Garden Sorrel (M. Bitter Sorrows)52 J
Rumex patientis Spanish Dock Monk's Rhubarb 52b J
Ruta graveolens Rue Herb 'O Grace 1 FI
Salvia officinalis Sage Mary's Shawl 22a N
Salvia sclarea Clary Christ's Eye 22b J
Sanguisorba minor Burnet Holy Beard 41 L
Santolina chamaecypar. Lavender-Cotton Holy Plant 26a FH
Santolina virens Green Santolina Our Lady's Flax 26b FH
Saponaria officinalis Soapwort O. L. by-the-Gate 35 JI
Satureya hortensis Summer Savory Church Flower 97a G
Scilla hispanica Squil Jacinth Star of Bethlehem 106 A
Sedum acre Stonecrop Our Lady's Hair 9a 0
Sedum telephinum Orphine Live-for-Ever 9b F
Sempervivum tectorum. Houseleek Live-for-Ever 12 NP
Silybum Marianum Milk Thistle St Mary's Thistle 130 H
Stachys officinalis Betony St. Anthony's Tea 93c H
Symphytum officinale Comfrey Abrahm,Isaac,Jacob 40 L
Tanasetum vulgare Tansy Jesus-Wort 65a J
Taraxacum officinale Dandelion M Bitter Sorrows 119 F
Teuchrium chamaedrys Germander O. L. Little Flowrl02 E
Thymus serphylum Creeping Thyme O. L. Bedstraw 10la AG
Thymus vulgaris Thyme Virgin's humility lOlc M
Trigonella foenum-graec Fenugreek Beautiful Mary 38 F
Tussilago farfare Coltsfoot (Emblem,St.Joseph) 51 D
Valeriana officinalis Valerian O. L. Needlework 44 C
Verbena officinalis Vervain Herb of the Cross 90 H
Viola odorata Sweet Violet Our Lady's Modesty 73c H
Viola tricolor Wild Pansy Our Lady's Delight 73d C
Copyright, Mary's Gardens 1965, 1995
1999 Update: The Cloisters - Mary's U.S. Botanical Garden