Flowers for a Mary's Garden

Photo by Esther G.

You are all pure, O Mary.
And there is in you no stain of sin.


A rise my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!
For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!

- (Song 2:10-13)


Blessed are you, O Mary.
For the world's salvation came forth from you.

- New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book

Today would be a good day to start a Mary's Garden. It is the first day of the month traditionally dedicated to honoring God's Blessed Mother.  It is also First Saturday.

 It is traditional to plant flowers and plants that symbolize the Blessed Mother, Jesus, St. Joseph or an event in the life of Christ.  The flowers and plants I have included are specifically ones that symbolize an aspect of our Blessed Mother.  I have selected flowers and plants that are readily available in Hawaii.  At the bottom of this post, there is a link to the source of these plants.  There you will find other plants that you may use in your own Mary's Garden.

FLOWERING PLANTS

Picture Source

The rose plant should be in every Mary's Garden.  It in itself symbolizes Our blessed Mother Mary.

Photo Source

- Morning Glory (Our Mary's Mantle)

Picture Source

- Peony (Mary's Rose)

Picture Source

- Gypsophila: Baby's Breath (Mary's Veil)

Picture Source

- Begonia (Heart of Mary)

Picture Source

- Camellia (Mary's Purity)

Picture Source

- Canna (Rosary Beads)

Picture Source

- Carnation (Mary's Love of God)

Picture Source

- Clematis Virginiana (Virgin's Bower)

Picture Source
- Easter Lily (Mary's Innocence and Purity)

Picture Source

- Fern (Lady's Hair)

Picture Source

- Geranium (Lady Beautiful)

Picture Source

- Hydrangea (Ave Maria)

Picture Source

- Impatiens (Our Lady's Earrings or Mother Love)

Picture Source

- Jasmine: Pikake in Hawaiian (Mary)

Picture Source

- Marigold (Mary's Gold)

Picture Source

- Petunia (Lady's Praise)

Picture Source

- Strawberry (Fruitful Virgin)

Picture Source

- Water Lily (Lady of the Lake)

HERBS

Picture Source

- Parsley (Our Lady's Little Vine)

Picture Source

- Sage (Mary's Shawl)

Picture Source

- Rosemary (Mary's Nosegay)

Picture Source

- Thyme (The Virgin's Humility)

Picture Source

- Marjoram (Mary's Bedstraw)

Picture Source

- Spearmint (Mary's Mint)

Picture Source

- Feverfew (Mary's Flower)

Picture Source

- Chamomile (Lady's Flower)


Information on the plants and flowers used are from here.

For help in planting a Mary's Garden, click here or here