The Victorian
Herb Garden
THE
Hermitage Museum
More about Herbs in the Victorian Era
A Modern Herbal
As you wander around the kitchen
By Mrs. Maude Grieve
Flora’s Dictionary:
garden, imagine the 19th century
The Victorian
Language of Herbs and Flowers
when herbs were used to clean, dye
and heal as well as flavor food.
Consider how Victorians expressed
By Kathleen Gips
Encyclopedia of Herbs
By A. Tucker & T.DeBaggio
Victorian Gardens
By Caroline Holmes
At The Hermitage Museum
335 North Franklin Turnpike
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
201.445.8311
www.thehermitage.org
their feelings by giving each other
certain flowers and herbs, which
Flora’s Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers each had symbolic meaning.
is the source of the quotes in parentheses throughout the brochure.
To volunteer in the garden,
call Master Gardener site coordinator Kathleen Sullivan, 201-934-7595
[email protected]
A Guide to the Plants in the Hermitage Herb Garden
Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum has a Feverfew Chrysanthemum parthenium was a stimulant slightly licorice taste and was used in a sweet syrup and to flavor cakes. The dried flowers look nice in wreaths.
for nervous complaints. A concoction with water or sugar was thought to cure colds. (”You light up my life.”)
Bee Balm Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’ is a member was an ornamental. (” A wish, insincerity, stateliness.”)
of the mint family;; its leaves have a citrus flavor. It was used in teas and to treat colds and chest pains. (“Sweet virtues.”)
Blue False Indigo Baptisia australis, Foxglove Digitalis purpura, used for heart disorders, also Garlic Chives Allium tuberosum were used to give foods an onion flavor, just like today. (“Usefulness, why do you weep?”)
Mint Mentha spicate was a home remedy for what ails the stomach and a bracing tea. The mint at the Hermitage is peppermint, which has a sweet taste. (“Wisdom, eternal refreshment”)
Perilla Perilla frutiscens originated in Asia. It is a member of the mint family. With its showy red and greens leaves, it was a prominent ornamental in Victorian gardens. Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, the “dew of the make candies or syrups to soothe coughs, (“Frozen kindness, health.”)
sea,” was used in cooking as well as to cure stomach disorders. It made lovely wreaths and bracing teas. (“Remembrance, fidelity.”) lavender flowers in late spring to early summer. It is also known as catnip for its fascination to cats. (“Intoxicated with love.”)
Lady’s Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris The leaves were Rue Ruta graveolens is a bitter herb that was im-­
Celandine Chelidonium majus, is a member of Lamb’s Ears Stachys byzantina Called “the bandage a member of the pea family, the flowers are a deep blue and were used in dyeing
Catmint Nepeta cataria produces a mass of Horehound Marrubium vulgare leaves were used to soaked and placed on wounds to stop bleeding. (“Comfort, protection.”)
the poppy family. It was used as a mild analgesic for pain. (”Medicine”)
plant,” its velvety leaves were soaked and used like band-aids to bind wounds.
Chamomile Anthemis nobilis was used by Lavender Lavendulla augustifolia was used as a sachet, Victorians as a sedative in tea. (” I admire your courage.”)
a mouthwash, for housecleaning, and to flavor sugar. (“Luck, loyalty.”)
Dill Anethum graveolens, was both a culinary Lavender Cotton Santolina chamaecyparissus, also and a medicinal herb. Leaves and seeds were used to flavor food;; the seeds aided digestion. Dill induces sleep. (“To lull, good spirits.”)
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis had many uses, most Dutchman’s breeches Dicentra cu-cullaria is also called staggerweed due to its toxicity. It was an ornamental plant in the Victorian garden.
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare dulce was an orna-­
mental kitchen garden plant. The leaves and seeds were used in cooking;; the seeds were considered a digestive aid. (”Worthy of all praise.”)
known as French lavender, was used as an insect repellant.
notably as a cooling tea to bring down a fever. The sweet smell was also useful in pot-pourris. (“Pleasant company of friends.”)
Lovage Levisticum officinalis was a favorite English herb. The leaves taste like celery, only stronger. (“Hidden virtues, cleanliness.”)
A project of the Master Gardeners of Bergen County. Content prepared by Patricia O’Brien Libutti 2012
portant in keeping a house free of pests. It was strewn on the floor to repel insects and vermin (“Grief, repentance.”) Sage Salvia officinalis leaves were used as an antibi-­
otic, a diuretic and an astringent as well as a culinary herb used to flavor meats. (“Long life and good health.”) Senna Cassia marilandica was used as a landscape plant, a hair treatment and to treat stomach ailments. Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum contains coumarin, used in perfumes. It was used to disguise odors, a quality favored by housekeepers. Thyme Thymus vulgaris, a versatile culinary herb, was used to flavor eggs and meat and to repel insects. (“Thriftiness, happiness, courage.”)
Wild Cranesbill Geranium maculatum was used to treat diarrhea, passive bleeding and more. It was an ornamental plant in the garden as well.
Wormwood Artemisia absinthium, a particularly bitter herb, was a key ingredient in liqueurs, especially absinthe. (“Displeasure.”)