There are a handful of herbs which are indispensable to our gardens. Lavender is one of our cherished herbs. The entry in Hildegard’s work Physica is brief, however it is recommended in this work for its “strong odor” which was believed to help treat lice as well as evil spirits. The Medieval Gardens at The Cloisters in New York City records that lavender was used in the Middle Ages for protection against all types of vermin and pests, not only lice. It is used even today as a natural deterrent from groundhogs and other garden pests.

Here at the Hildegard Haus, it is an important herb for our pollinators, most particularly the bees. In addition to the honeybees, the lavender plants here in our gardens (which can be found growing along the steps of the church, in the front gardens, and most notably in the large herb garden behind the back patio) are regularly occupied with a choir of bumblebees.

If you are making this tour in-person, you may have noticed that we keep several vases of dried lavender from our gardens in various places around the church.  As. you can see from the photo, lavender is always included in our St. Hildegard Feast Day liturgical decorations. It is a fragrant gift of the earth, given to us by our Creator, and harvested by human hands!

In her work, Hildegard of Bingen: A Poetic Journey, author Colleen Keating wrote a beautiful poem entitled,Viriditas:

After the rains
Hildegard tends the garden
knee-deep
in wet grass,
up to her elbows in soil,
worms, snails
and ruff of leaf compost.

Marvels at the ramble 
of a young squash vine,
a stray seed gone free.

Lingers in the fragrance
of chives and basil,
coriander, lavender and mint,
and the smell of parsley.

Saviours their bouquet.
Being jubilant
with the flirt of white moths,
and the canticle of birdsong
from an oak branch above.
Dwells on her knees
as if in prayer.

Hildegard stands
her hands on her lower back
stretches and arches
skywards. Wisping clouds
ruffle. Light whispers,

I am the breeze that nurtures all things green
I encourage blossoms to flourish with ripening fruits
I am the rain coming from the dew
that causes the grasses to laugh
with the joy of life...