The Herbs of Shakespeare Continued

I never know if I have enough space on my blog at The Herb Companion.  I wanted to give you more photos to this one quote.  So here it is as it should be:

Lavender, Mint, Savory, Marjoram and Marigolds – The Winter’s Tale (Act 4, Scene 4)

“Hot lavender, mints, savory, marjoram,

The marigold, that goes to bed wi’ th’ sun

And with him rises weeping.  These are flowers

Of middle summer, and I think they are given

To men of middle age.”

Perdita is talking with Polixenes about breeding flowers and talks of the marigold (pot marigold or calendula) that closes its petals with the sun.  Marigolds are sometimes called Mary-buds after the Virgin Mary.  Hot lavender refers to the taste of the flower being spicy and the flowers were used to perfume cupboards where linens were stored.  Mint was long used to perfume the air, to season food and to clear the head.   Grow orange mint for good appearance and spicy fragrance, pineapple mint for variegated leaves, peppermint or spearmint for tea and apple mint for its wooly leaves.  Marjoram was using as a strewing herb and they needed a lot of it to keep their houses smell fresh.  Savory came with the Romans to England.  They used it in spicy sauces.  Today it is known as the bean herb and can be a substitute for pepper.  Summer savory is an annual and is easily grown from seed and has a little pink or purple flower.  Winter savory is a hardy perennial with white flowers. 

'Munstead' Lavender Blooming in July!  Can't Wait!

Peppermint

Summer Savory in Bloom

Marjoram

Calendulas Still Blooming in the Fall

Thanks to my Texas readers and one in particular who gave me the request and inspiration.  Please go over to The Herb Companion and enjoy my Valentine's Day present called A Reader's Request:  The Herbs of Shakespeare, Act One.  You know there must be an Act Two to come.  Stay Tuned!  Getting snow tomorrow.  Of course going to Ohio.  Hope it won't be too bad!  Talk to you later!