It's time for the latest blog from our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle.
Find out more about their blog series here.
Another scorcher today! Whilst Dave and Kaiden watered all the planters on site, Carole introduced the Medieval Herb Garden to two new volunteers, Caroline and Louis. There was the necessary admin and health and safety instructions to cover - some of the plants are poisonous and thorny and the garden is on an uneven slope. Then Caroline and Louis got to grips with deadheading the cowslips and lungwort and some general weeding. Carole tackled the over-abundance of hound’s tongue seedlings that had sprung up around the golden rod and put out the notice board to advertise her free MHG talk on Saturday (1pm-3pm).
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| At this time of year, the woad is looking particularly lovely. |
Plant of the Week - Lily of the Valley (convallaria magalis)
The source of the name lily of the valley is unknown but European herbalists have been using it since late in the 16th or 15th century. It is also known by other names such as: conval lily, lady's tears, May bells, May lily, mayflower, muguet, and Our Lady's tears.
Lily of the valley is from the Northern hemisphere of Europe and Asia. It grows to a height and spread of 12 inches. It is a perennial, deciduous and herbaceous plant, meaning it blooms over spring and summer then dies back each winter without leaving any stems above ground.
It has paired, broad, oval, green leaves, 4–10 inches long and has erect stems of up to 12 nodding, bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers. Each bell comprises six purest white tepals (sometimes pink), fused at the base. The edges are turned back with six small scallops. In September the plant may produce small berries that are orange-red.
Lily of the valley usually prefers to grow in full or partial shade and not South-facing. It will grow in any soil as long as it is moist. However, in the MHG it is surviving in full sun, dry soil, and facing South!
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| Lily of the valley growing in the garden |
Medieval uses*
* (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.)
Although toxic, in medieval lore, the lily of the valley was celebrated for its ability to improve memory. It was also said to help the heart, and used as a diuretic to make you wee!
The powdered flowers have been said to cause sneezing, and to help in the relief of headache and earache.
An ointment of the root and lard was thought to be good for ulcers and for healing burns and scalds without leaving a scar.
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