A garden of Mary's flowers

Published: May 20, 2006

Arkansas Catholic illustration

Arkansas Catholic illustration

A Mary garden can be a place to pray and meditate on her life and example.

For those who love to garden or are simply looking for a fun family project that honors Mary, consider planting a Mary garden.

A Mary garden is one dedicated to Mary with her image -- a statue, plaque, holy card or icon -- in the center of flowers or herbs with special significance to her through legends or naming. (See "Mary's Flowers: Gardens, Legends and Meditations" Vincenzina Krymow, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2002.)

Many know that roses, lilies and violets are linked to Mary symbolizing her glory, purity and humility, but what is often unknown is that hundreds of flowers and plants have been named for her.

This book explains the long tradition of seeing attributes of Mary in flowers and the legends associated with events in Mary's life. For example, it is believed the Angel Gabriel carried the Madonna Lily when he visited Mary at the annunciation.

The graphic above shows a few flowers named for Mary and in which season they bloom or grow. Soil, climate and personal preference can determine which flowers are used. For more information on Mary gardens, www.udayton.edu/mary.

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