How
does your garden grow?
Firstly,
let me preface this review with the admission that I am not a
gardener. I am guilty of both neglect and incompetence when it
comes to caring for plant life. And yet I am reviewing a book
about gardens because, in spite of my failings in this domain,
I am fascinated by gardening and people who know how to care for
gardens. Judyth A McLeod is one such person and she has shared
some of her extensive knowledge in her latest book, In a Unicorn’s
Garden: Recreating the mystery and magic of medieval gardens.
McLeod was inspired to turn her long-held notion
of writing a book about medieval gardens into a reality after
walking through the Labyrinthe des Merveilles at the Chateau de
Merville in France. Its design is based on the secular labyrinths
of the medieval period.
McLeod is also the author of Organic at Home
and Lavender Sweet Lavender, amongst other titles on
gardening and natural methods of healthcare. And she is co-owner
of a nursery in the Blue Mountains (west of Sydney) called Honeysuckle
Cottage, which specialises in plant antiques.
The opening chapter, of In a Unicorn’s
Garden, ‘Unicorns and Other Magical Beasts’,
was a complete eye-opener for me. I was intrigued and delighted
to learn that, during the medieval period, it was common for one
to believe in unicorns, dragons and other fantastical creatures.
Animal-plant hybrids such as the incredible, if ill-fated, Vegetable
Lamb, were also thought to exist.
The Vegetable Lamb was a creature that grew from
a seed and was attached to the ground by a stem. It survived by
eating the grass it could reach and when it ran out of grass it
died. And then there’s the Barnacle Goose, a strange fish-bird
combo that it seems was contrived, before anyone knew about the
migration of birds, to explain how geese suddenly appeared from
over the seas. If you can’t explain it - imagine it, was
the medieval motto.
After the first chapter McLeod settles into discussing
the various types of medieval gardens such as The Abbess’
Garden, The Knight’s Garden and The Cook’s Garden.
Each chapter contains a history of the garden, the
reason for its being, a physical description including layout
and the types of plants it would contain, who would use the garden
and be responsible for it, and ends with a design and instructions
for creating such a garden yourself. For instance a Mary Garden
was created to honour the Virgin Mary and is intended as a place
of prayer and reflection. Just some of the plants that would feature
in a Mary garden, due to their association with the Virgin Mary,
are carnations, forget-me-nots and the Madonna Lily.
It is fitting that in discussing beautiful design
and things of a practical nature In a Unicorn’s Garden’s
design and layout is both beautiful and practical. From the cover
to the index it is clear that a designer’s hand has touched
every page. The illustrations and photographs are thoughtfully
incorporated with the text so as to accompany and enhance it.
This book can be read from beginning to end or used as a reference
via its comprehensive index. And mention must be made of the garden
designs in each chapter that are exquisitely depicted in water
colour.
McLeod has an enviable talent for capturing the
wonder of the medieval period and its gardens and at the same
time conveying so much factual information in an engaging and
accessible way. In a Unicorn’s Garden will appeal
to anyone with an interest in medieval history, mythology, botany,
horticulture, landscape design or simply a desire to be fascinated.
Karin van Heerwaarden
Read more of Karin’s reviews and author interviews
at her blog, pages
et cetera.
