Maple Hill Gardens

The Herb Oval

The Herb Oval, designed and planted in 1981, features a Magic Garden, a Kitchen Garden, and an Apothecary, all surrounding the central Armillary. Many herbs have more than one use. Flax, for example, besides supplying the fiber used for making linen, has seeds that are crushed to make linseed oil, formerly were used medicinally, and are now recognized as a source of Omega-3 fats. The whole plant was once believed to have magical powers.

The Magic Garden - The herbs in this bed are traditionally associated with protection from harm, some of them named for the Virgin Mary, as Madonna Lily, Lady's Mantle, Rosemary, Calendula, and Angelica Rue.

The Kitchen Garden - These are the traditional kitchen herbs used to flavor soups, stews, and bread, including Basil, Garlic, Chives, Lemon Verbena, Lovage, sage and Mints. Others, such as Sorrel, Parsley, and Salad Burnet, were gown as "sallents." Angelica, Fennel and Rosemary are also present.

The Apothecary - These beds hold herbs traditionally used for treating illness and wounds. The species name "officinalis," seen on many plants here, indicates a plant long known for its medicinal value. Many can be found listed in the earliest herbals. Others, such as Aloe vera, have recently become popular, while Purple Cone Flower and St. John's-Wort are enjoying a resurgence in their popularity. Others included here are Joe Pyeweed, Russian Sage, Soapwort, and Monarda.

The Dyer's Garden - Before the invention of modern chemical dyes, plants were the source of most dyes for fabrics. Dye plants, here include Dyer's Chamomile (yellow from flowers), Yellow Flag Iris (roots for black), Woad (blue), Bedstraw (roots for red). The name "Tinctoria" is frequently attached to dye plants.

The Armillary - The armillary sphere was given to Maple Hill by Lucy and George Keyes in 1986. Focal point of the herb oval, it is surrounded by a collection of Thyme varieties including Common English, Lemon Frost, Purple Dwarf, Aureus, Silver, and Woolly.