The Physic Garden

The Physic Garden dates back to medieval times and is a garden dedicated to the growing medicinal plants and herbs. While most homes of old kept medicinal plants along with culinary herbs and vegetables, the Physic Garden was dedicated to the cultivation, study, and harvesting of plants specifically to prepare remedies. During the Renaissance, physic gardens flourished in universities, churches and monasteries, and served at living apothecaries. 

Physic gardens typically feature labeled plant beds, organized both by medical use and botanical family, and focus on species with a long history of use in folk and formal herbal medicine. Today, many historic physic gardens are preserved as educational sites where visitors can learn about the relationship between plants and health. One of my personal local favorites is the Cloisters located in upper Manhattan. The Cloisters is modeled after French monasteries and is complete with a cloistered courtyard garden in the center of the halls of columns and doorways from 12th to 15th-century architecture. 

Here with an assortment medicinal plants, you are invited to cultivate your own Physic Garden!