Although there are only a minimal number of survivng records from the Medieval and Renaissance periods, fortunately for us, a few plant lists survived. The one listed below is a taken from The Fromond List of c.1525. The original title was "Herbys necessary for a gardyn'. This is by no means a complete list, with many of the early 16th century plants having been excluded here. All native plants have been listed in Italics.

The purpose of these lists is to give us a general idea of what would have been used, what was available, and to what extent each plant was used. Also, for those wanting to recreate a Medieval garden, this would be a great place to start for plant selections.



Herbs for the Cup (infusions)
Cammomile, Carnation, Clary, Cost, Costmary, Endive, Horehound, Hyssop, Marjoram, Marigold (pot), Rosemary, Rue

Herbs to Distill
Betony, Dragons, Endive, Eyebright, Hyssop, Mugwort, Rose (red), Rosemary, Sage, Scabious, Silverweed, Water Pepper, Wormwood

Herbs for Pottage:
Agrimony, Alexanders, Astrologia longa, A. Rotunda, Avens, Basil, Beet, Betony, Borage, Cabbage, Caraway, Chervil, Chives, Clary, Colewort, Columbine, Coriander, Daisy, Dandelion, Dill, Dittander, Fennel, Good King Henry, Hartstongue, Langdebeef, Leek, Lettuce, Lupin, Mallow, Marigold (pot), Marjoram, Mint, Nepp, Nettle (red), Oculus Christi, Onions, Orach, Parsley, Patience, Pepperwort, Radish, Rape, Safflower, Sage, Snowthistle, Spinach, Thistle (milk), Thyme, Valerian, Violet, Wood Sorrel

Herbs for Salads
Alexanders, Borage, Burnet, Calamint, Chickweed, Chives, Cress (French), Cresses, Daisies, Dandelion, Fennel, Heartsease, Mints, Nettle (red & dead), Parsley, Primrose (buds), Purslane, Rampion, Ramsoms, Rocket, Violets

Herbs for Sauce:
Dittander, Garlice Mustard, Hartstongue, Masterwort, Mints, Parsley, Pellitory, Sorrel, Violet, Wood Sorrel

Herbs for both Savour and Beauty
Basil, Carnation, Dropwort, Dill, Garlic, Germander, Marjoram (sweet), Melons, Poppy (garden variety), Solomon's Seal, Vervain, Wallflower

Plants for an Herber or Ornamental Garden:
Almond, Baytree, Campion, Columbine,Cornflower, gooseberry, Gourds, Hellebore, Lilies, Peach, Peony (roman), Pine, Plum, Roses (white), Safflower, Vines

Roots & Bulbs
Carrots, Eryngo, Onions, Parsnips, Radish, Saffron, Turnips

Additional plants & trees found in English Medieval gardens:
Anise, Archangel, Bean (broad), Bugle, Centaury, Comfrey, Cowslip, Cucumber, Daffodil, Elecampane, Fenugreek, Feverfew, Foxglove, Gromwell, Henbane, Herb-Ive, Herb Robert, Hollyhock, Irises, Lavender, Liliy of the Valley, Lovage, Mandrake, Mouse Ear, Mustard, Orpine, Parsnip, Pea, Pennyroyal, Periwinkle, Pimpernel, Plaintains, Polypody, Poppy (white), Quince, Rocket (sweet), Savory, Setterwort, Skirrets, Smallage, Southernwood, Strawberry, Stocks, Tansy, Tutsan, Waterlily, Woodruff, Wormseed, Yarrow

Native Woodland trees & shrubs
Alder, Ash, Birch, Bramble, Elm, Hazel, Hawthorn, Holly, Ivy, Maple, Oak, Roses, Willows

Orchard & Nut trees
Apple (variety), Cherry (sweet & sour), Chestnut (spanish), Fig, Hazel, Medlar, Mulberry, Pear (variety), Service, Walnut,


Useful native additions for re-creating Medieval Gardens
Bluebell, Broom, Celandine (greater), Corncockle, Corn Marigold, Cowslip, Fern (m/f), Guelder Rose, Marjoram (wild variety), Strawberry (wild variety), Thyme (creeping)

Again, please note that this[I] is not a complete list, and that I will probably be adding other lists to this one as well once I have found them. Feel free to add to or discuss these at your leisure. [/i]

Good list, nice to see all the fruit trees in there, vitally important. Another Medieval garden feature which also provided two readily available food sources during hard times was the doocot (dovecot).
The one below comes from Daldowie, a couple of miles from here. It was recently re-sited and renovated, but is a good example of one from the early 17thc. Many castles had them integrally in a tower......another idea. White doves are nice.

Great list!!
The kitchen herb list goes well with yours, Thanks!

Most definately! The dovecote was definately an important factor and also almost always kept close to the castle. For those not familiar with the term, it housed smaller birds (doves, pidgeons, etc) with small nesting coves throughout the walls and ladders throughout to reach the nests for eggs and such.

I have research that shows many castles boasted dovecotes containing the ability to house hundreds of birds. Kinda makes you wonder about the whole offspring thing - hard to control inter-breeding at that point. Nice for grand feasts, and having the ability to go out and round up birds fairly easily though.

The apiary was another important aspect, though usually contained in or near priories and kept by the monks. Bees and their honey was enough of an important factor that there were often men specially trained in the task.

Spot on. Harvest birds or eggs.
The doocot at Covington housed 500 boxes (a pair to a box).
The other important product of apiaries and the monks was Mead, yum! Great as a toddy on a cold night.

Or the medicinal factor of the Honey and the many uses of beeswax.

Bees are wonderous critters and do have many uses. Glad to see that some had the intelligence to recognize the importance while it lasted. Without bees, no pollenation (they do much more than the butterflies) and without polination, no food.

Mead was definately a biggie, as was the beeswax and honey. I often use honey in my first aid kit for small cuts and such while out camping. Great antibiotic and seals the wound so that nothing is able to contaminate and infect the area of broken skin. Bad thing is, the mosquitos find it quite tasty too....

We use Propolis alot for many things and nothing likes the smell, not me for sure.
The bees wax had many uses also including the working of wood and bow strings just to name a couple.

Beeswax is great for stopping rattles on fishing rod spigots.
Not sure I'd put honey on a cut or graze, just because of the insects, it might make a good poultice though. Sugar and soap is a good old fashioned one for drawing pus from a wound, helps the skin heal too.

Using the honey, the antibacterial properties are great and keep it clean. Keeps the infection from coming in. Just good to put a bit of clean linen or cotton or even steril gauze if it is available. Never had too many problems with the bugs as long as it is covered...

Mosquitos just love me anyhow...guess I am just too sweet for my own good

We don't have mozzies here, but midges think I'm wonderful

no comment!!