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Planting out the herb garden |
In 1970, the Old Medicine House was moved to Blackden. The following spring new species of plants appeared in the garden; wildflowers and herbs. Disturbed from cracks in the beams, seeds had fallen on the ground, sprouted and established themselves around the house. These were nurtured and the concept of establishing a Tudor herb garden also grew. |
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History
Internal evidence suggests that the Old Medicine House was built in the sixteenth century for an apothecary. By the late 20th century no traces of its original status remained, nor were there any remains of a herb garden around it, where it stood at Wrinehill, Staffordshire
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Discussing the uses of herbs in Tudor medicine |
Developing the garden
The lack of obvious remains of a herb garden at apothecary's house on its original site, gave us the freedom to create our own design.
So, in 2008, we organised a course, where we examined the herb plants that would have been grown in the sixteenth century, and drew up designs and planting schemes for the beds. The participants at that first herb course made the inspired decision to echo the quatrefoil shape that occurs on either side of the windows of the Old Medicine House, in the layout of the beds.
On another course, in the following year the beds were planted. We shall continue to develop the herb garden and run courses on the history and uses of herbs.
The herbs grown at Blackden
All the herbs that appeared with The Old Medicine House were moved into the beds, and others were brought in. Some will thrive in our soil, but others may not.
Those that appeared around the house included Borage, Chamomile, Feverfew, Opium Poppy and Teasel. They have now spread to other parts of the garden.
More pictures of the herb garden can be viewed in the album below.
Photo album
The development of the Herb Garden
slide show | click picture to view detail
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March 2009 - before starting | April 2009 - The Medicine House before starting | April 2009 - Beginning to clear the area | |
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April 2009 - Borders cleared | April 2009 - Marking out the beds | April 2009 - Marking out the northern bed | April 2009 - Marking out the southern bed |
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April 2009 - Beds ready for planting | May 2009 - planting out | May 2009 - The northern bed | May 2009 - The southern bed |
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June 2009 - the beds develop | June 2009 - The southern bed | June 2009 - The northern bed | July 2009 - herbs start to flower |
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July 2009 - The southern bed | July 2009 - The northern bed | August 2009 - in full flower | August 2009 - The southern bed |
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August 2009 - The northern bed | September 2009 - herbs in full flower | September 2009 - The southern bed | September 2009 - The northern bed |
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October 2009 - final flowering | October 2009 - The southern bed | October 2009 - The northern bed | November 2009 - the foliage falls |
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November 2009 - The southern bed | November 2009 - The northern bed | December 2009 - snowed in | |
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| Home page |
About us
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Education
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© The Blackden Trust 2008-2012 |
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