MHG Volunteer Blog: Week 2

Here's the next blog from our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle.

Find out more about their new blog series here.

13 January 2025

Today the snow and ice are still lingering. Any uncovered soil is saturated. So, no gardening today!

David and James are helping the Site Manager, Joe, by clearing the fallen leaves by the Sally Port.

Carole is looking at the damage the weather has wrought on the plants. So far, we seem to have lost the French tarragon (no surprise there). Unfortunately the weight of snow and / or the high winds have severely battered the upright rosemary too. It’s looking a bit sorry for itself, with broken branches all around.

So, to relieve the gloom, our plant of the week is the common, lawn or English daisy. It can be seen at Pontefract Castle this week, hanging in there through the snow and ice!

Plant of the week: Common English Daisy - Bruise Wort (bellis perennis)

Loved by bees, butterflies and hoverflies, this is a flower that we associate with Spring and Summer. However, the daisies we have in the Medieval Herb Garden have been flowering continually since January last year!

This evergreen perennial plant will grow in any moist but well-drained soil type. It is most often found in grass, or lawns. It likes the sun but will grow in part-shade, and has a height and spread of 0.1 metres.

Folklore

A chain of daisies was thought to protect the wearer from evil spirits. This knowledge was passed down the generations, from older to younger children. This kept the tradition of daisy chain-making alive.

Medieval uses

According to historical documents daisies have been used since at least 2000 B.C. 

In the medieval period, daisies were used for a number of medical complaints. These included inflammation, bruises, digestive complaints, pleurisy, coughs and other respiratory conditions, headaches, liver conditions, kidney and gallbladder issues.

(Needless to say, this isn't to be considered medical advice from us to you today! No herbs mentioned in these blogs should be used as medicine without advice from a doctor.) 

Find out more about the Medieval Herb Garden here