How to Create a Mary Garden to Honor the Blessed Mother

Flower lore honoring Mary, the Mother of God, can be traced to the Middle Ages. Called the "Flower of Flowers," Mary has a number of flowers associated with her. Over time, a tradition was born to design gardens devoted to Mary for prayer and reflection. These gardens are found in the yards of homes, churches, and schools around the world. Here are some ideas to get your Mary Garden started.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Statue of Mary
• Columbine
• Ox-eye Daisy
• Juniper
• Lily of the Valley
• Violets
• Roses
• Fleur-de-Lis
• Fuchsia
• Gardening trowel
• Gardening fork
• Gloves
• Fertilizer
• Pail

How to Create a Mary Garden

1. Mary Gardens come in many varieties and sizes from carefully sculpted to wild natural ones. Determine the type of Mary Garden you desire. Look on-line for pictures of Mary Gardens for inspiration.

2. Gather the necessary flowers and gardening supplies. Gardening supplies include a trowel, fork, gloves, fertilizer and a pail to mix the fertilizer. The flowers are listed in the next step.Are you going to plant seeds or buy growing plants? This will determine when you plant the garden.

3. Planting the garden can be a time of prayer and meditation. Think of the meaning behind each flower as you plant. Violets represent Her humility; Lilies, Her purity; Roses, Her glory. Columbine s the plant that grew beneath Mary's feet as she journeyed to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Ox-eye Daisy is the flower the Magi found right before finding the Holy Family when Christ was born. A Juniper bush saved the life of Mary and baby Jesus when they fled to Egypt. Fuchsia are called Our Lady's Ear-drop. A legend claims that baby Jesus hung these flowers on his mother's ears as jewels. Fleur-de-Lis is a flower associated with Mary answering the prayers of a 14th century French knight.

4. Designate an area in your yard for your garden. It can be in the front or back yard. If the garden is mainly a tribute to Mary, the front yard may be appropriate. If it is a private place of solitude for reflection, you may choose a quiet corner in your backyard. Also consider sunlight, soil quality, and any existing plants in the area as you make your decision. If you already have a Marian shrine in your yard, you may wish to build the garden around it. Choose the area that best meets your needs.

5. Select an image of Mary for the garden. This will help you meditate on her life. Statues and plaques depicting Mary are most often used. The garden can be designed around the statue or the plaque can be discreetly placed in the garden. You can also create a Mary garden without an image of Mary.

6. Sketch a design for your garden prior to planting. The sketch can serve as a guide while you plant. Now you are ready to plant your garden.

Tips & Warnings

• The planting, tending, and enjoyment of the Mary Garden can be forms of prayer.
• Use plaques or stepping stones with Bible verses to decorate your Mary Garden.
• Make your garden comfortable by adding a bench. Flowers can grow along a trellis or arch.
• Have your priest bless the garden.

Resources

• Mary Garden information
• Mary Garden resource and photos