In movies, novels, and even historical accounts, plants and witchcraft have long been connected. As the season for spookiness arrives, Justine Kandra, horticulturist with the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening, shares suggestions for plants to grow in your own witchy garden.
Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.)
In folklore, these thorny bushes were seen as protective plants and have associations with fairies and ‘fair’ folk even today.
“Hawthorn specifically is a great plant for people in St. Louis to grow since they are the state flower of Missouri,” Kandra says. “We know hawthorns for their relatively small stature, adaptability, showy flowers, bird-attracting fruit, and of course, their thorns.”
Around 15 species of native hawthorns exist, with even more naturally occurring hybrids. Crataegus crus-galli, or the cockspur hawthorn, is a good choice for St. Louis home gardens. It will grow 20-35′ tall with a similar spread and features exfoliating mature bark, abundant white flowers in spring, and showy red fruits in fall.
Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata)
Alder (Alnus sp.) has also been associated with the “fair” folk, and cutting the trees was considered taboo.
Today, you can find this large shrub or small tree growing in boggy areas, along streambanks or springs, and the edges of wetlands across much of the eastern and southern United States, including Missouri.
Mature plants will reach 10-20′ tall with a similar spread and a densely branched, broadly spreading crown. Alder is a great choice for shady rain gardens or other moist areas.
Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta)
Vervain (Verbena officinalis) has associations with Egyptian, Greek, and Roman deities and with Christian legends. Though it is not particularly potent, some considered it a powerful enchantment.
For home gardens in the St. Louis area, we suggest hoary vervain–a clump-forming native plant with hairy leaves and a long display of blue-purple flowers from late spring into early fall. Its blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Mature plants will reach 2-4′ tall and up to 2′ wide. “This species tolerates drought and is a good choice for pocket prairies, slopes, or other naturalized areas in full sun,” says Kandra.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Some believed rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) could repel witchcraft when planted outside a home’s door. At the same time, the plant could be associated with female power and signified that a woman was in charge of the household.
Home gardeners most often grow this evergreen subshrub most often grows as an annual in Missouri. Overwintering potted rosemary plants indoors as a houseplant can be challenging. However, cold-hardy cultivars are available. ‘Madeline Hill‘ and ‘Arp’ are two of the most popular and are hardy in Zones 6 and 7, respectively.
\dy in Zones 6 and 7, respectively.
“As long as you plant them in very well-draining soil, full sun, and a protected location, these cold-hardy rosemary selections should grow well in our area,” says Kandra.
Peonies
People also planted European peony (Paeonia officinalis) outside the door to ward off witchcraft.
They make a beautiful, colorful addition to any summer garden.
Provide full sun and evenly moist, well-draining soil, and then leave these long-lived perennials undisturbed for decades. They will continue to bloom year after year.
Countless cultivars are available on the market, with flowers in shades of pink, red, coral, yellow, and white. Little maintenance is required for their upkeep; simply deadhead the spent blooms and cut back the foliage in fall.
Betony (Stachys officinalis)
Sprigs of betony were also believed to keep homes safe.
“The showy, late spring and early summer blooms of betony are always a welcome sight,” says Kandra.
They work best as groupings in the front of mixed borders where this short plant will get full sun. They tolerate some drought once established and tend to be ignored by rabbits and deer.
A standout selection is ‘Hummelo’ which features robust clumps of foliage and dense clusters of pink blooms on up to 2′ tall, upright flower stalks.
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