Monday, December 11, 2017

Herb Wreaths

Herb wreaths can be used to decorate your kitchen, keeping oft used herbs within reach as well as adding a pleasant aroma to the house. In Victorian times herbs associated with the Christmas story were added to seasonal wreaths and in many parts of the world the custom continues.






Bedstraw and pennyroyal, horehound and thyme, rosemary and lavender are the herbs commonly used in a Christmas wreath.

 Bedstraw


Lady’s bedstraw plant (Galium verum) is a perennial herb hardy in zones 3-8. Sweet woodruff is in the same family. In the past, the dried plants were used to stuff mattresses, as the scent of the plants acts as a flea repellent. The scent is reminiscent of new mown hay. 
www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/ladies-bedstraw/grow-ladys-bedstraw-herbs.htm

Pennyroyal


Mentha pulegium, is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family, or mint family. It is unrelated to American Pennyroyal, hedeoma pulegoides, although they share similar traits. Pennyroyal represents wisdom. It emits a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Grows in full sun to part shade zones 5-9. Pennyroyal can be toxic to humans.

Horehound



Marrubium vulgare is also from the mint family. The plant is easy to grow in even poor soils, prefers full sun, and is a hardy perennial down to Zone 4. It contains high levels of A,B,C and E and can be made into a tea. In ancient times it was thought to ward off evil. Due to its soft leaves it would have made a comfortable bed but it also symbolizes betrayal.
www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/horehound/growing-horehound.htm

Thyme

Thyme is of the genus Thymus of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and a relative of the oregano genus Origanum. It was thought to endow endurance and courage.

Lavender and Rosemary

Rosemary earns its place in the wreath as it was said the holy family was able to flee through a field of rosemary bushes to safety. Mary is said to have dried the baby's linens on a lavender bush which imparted their soothing scent to the cloth.

Wreaths lend themselves to any of your favourite herbs. Here is a handy "how to" from Martha Stewart.







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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 12, 2017 at 9:03 AM

    Interesting, Sue! Think I'd leave the Pennyroyal out of my wreath:) Joyce R.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Powell River BooksDecember 12, 2017 at 4:46 PM

    I usually make my wreath out of cedar boughs with green salal leaves (they are both handy next to the cabin). An herb wreath would be a good alternative. - Margy

    ReplyDelete

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