Herb gardens is the theme for this week’s #FeatureFridays with Historic Houses.
Running alongside the Yew Maze (currently closed) and bordering the outer moat of the Castle the herb garden at Hever Castle lies within the Tudor Garden, a series of small, sheltered gardens with neatly clipped hedges.
Laid out as they might have been in the time of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, as well as the herb garden, the Tudor Garden features a paved fountain garden with a profusion of Ballerina shrub roses; and a chess garden which boasts chess pieces cut from golden yew as well as an astrolabe dating from the reign of Queen Anne.
When planting the herb garden, the gardening team chose herbs dependent on the section, i.e. herbs for decking, herbs for strewing, herbs for the kitchen and herbs for the physic.
Herbs for decking include the likes of angelica, lilies, hollyhock, heartsease, wallflower, lavender, pinks, marigold, snapdragon and rosemary.
Herbs for strewing were fragrant plants used in medieval times that were strewn on the floor to add a welcome scent to the room in a bid to mask bodily and other odours.
For example, lavender, mullein, cotton lavender, marjoram, basil and sweet fennel.
Herbs for the kitchen include a wide variety such as saffron, fennel, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, tansy, marigold and borage.
Herbs for the physic were traditionally used for medicinal and healing purposes, such as sweet woodruff, feverfew, peony, lavender, balm, southernwood, rosemary, borage and hellebore.
If you enjoyed this item on herb gardens, then why not discover the previous #FeatureFridays news items:• Musical instruments
• Mazes
• Secret passageways
• Bedrooms
• American Connections
• Weapons
• Follies
• Priest Holes
• Orchards
Book your visit to Hever Castle & Gardens.
Within the grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, there are two opportunities for you to stay the night with us.
Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.
