5 Easy to grow flowers to grace your Mary garden this spring

Have you ever heard of a “Mary garden"? This centuries-old Catholic tradition involves making a sacred outdoor space devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Rooted in medieval European monastic traditions, Mary gardens traditionally feature flowers and herbs associated with Our Lady. Frances Crane Lillie established the first Mary Garden in the U.S. at St. Joseph's Church in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, after learning of them from English monastery gardens.

Here are five beautiful flowers for your Mary garden, chosen for being easy to grow (great for everyone, and especially for novice gardeners!). Of course, your growing conditions may differ: Customize your Mary garden to your climate with this very helpful chart from the St. Kateri Conservation Center.

If you’d like to dig deeper, check out this convenient diagram showing exactly where to plant all the flowers, and this list of each flower’s traditional symbolism.

You can introduce children to this beautiful tradition with the book A Garden for Mary, a sweet story about a family working together to grow a Marian garden. Check out its illustrated appendix of flowers for more ideas to grace your Mary garden.

Folk traditions refer to these super-easy blooms as “Little Mary” or “the Virgin” flowers. Zinnias are known for their long blooming season and are easy to grow from seed, thriving in sunny locations.

Affectionately called “Mary's Gold,” these flowers honor the Virgin Mother with their warm, golden hues. Medieval legend tells that Mary used the flowers' petals as coins during the Holy Family's flight to Egypt. These hardy blooms flower from spring through fall, providing constant color. Their pungent scent naturally deters garden pests, making them both beautiful and practical additions.

These easy-to-grow perennials were traditionally called “Our Lady's Shoes” or “Lady's Slipper.” They were said to have sprung up under Our Lady's feet as she went to visit Elizabeth. The dove-shaped petals of this flower invites its use for decoration on the Feast of the Pentecost. It is also representative of Our Lady's Sorrows.

Native to many parts of the U.S., Lily of the Valley takes minimal maintenance and thrives under many conditions. Traditionally called “Our Lady's Tears,” this delicate flower represents Mary's purity, humility, and her sorrow at the crucifixion. Its drooping white blossoms symbolize her tears.

These pretty flowers have the sweet folk name of “St. Joseph’s Flower.” Of course, Our Lady’s husband deserves an honored place in her garden. Nasturtiums are a great choice for both their beauty and their edible flowers and leaves, and they are also relatively easy to grow.

When planning your Mary garden, arrange flowers with space for prayer and reflection. Make a statue of Our Lady the focal point, surrounded by these living symbols of faith. 

With proper care, these flowers will create a peaceful sanctuary for prayer and contemplation, carrying on this beloved tradition of honoring the Blessed Mother through God's glorious creation.