|
Herb of the Week for 22nd June
by Lynn Kirkland
Saintly Gardener
As winter settles in and many herbs go
into their dormant phase it becomes a
time when one notices other features in
the garden.
These are often referred to as "hardscape"
in landscaping terms. It can be things
like paths and seating and also includes
statues, birdbaths or sundials. It can
be naturally occurring additions to the
landscape such as lichen covered rocks
or tree stumps.
All add to the landscape environment and
winter is a great time to consider if
an area of your garden could do with an
addition or two.
The theme of your garden may dictate what
you are looking for. A native area may
be enhanced by an ornamental pukeko for
instance.
Herb gardens look great with saintly
additions and who better than the Patron
Saint of Gardeners, Saint Fiacre, as he
was a herbalist as well as a gardener.
Saint Fiacre was raised in an Irish monastery
and had a gift of using herbs for healing.
People flocked to him and being a quiet
soul he decided to go to France seeking
a more peaceful life. He went to an area
outside Paris and established a hermitage.
However the isolation he sought out for
reflection was not to be. Word of his
healing gift spread and he realised he
couldn't hide from the people who sought
his help.
He asked the local bishop for some land
to grow his herbs and vegetables so he
could use them to care for the poor.
The bishop said that whatever land he
could entrench in a day could be his.
With divine help Fiacre only needed to
wander along trailing his spade and the
trenches dug themselves. Thus with a huge
area Fiacre was able to grow an abundance
of healthy foods and herbs for the poor.
And so Fiacre became known as the patron
saint of gardeners.
Saintly statues enhance the garden and
add an aura of peace and tranquillity.
Winter could be the perfect time to visit
your local garden centre and see if there
is an appropriate one for your garden.
The
HerbFarm Website:
| 
