A Garden
of Directions
A Garden of Directions Draw a circle on the ground of at least nine
feet. Use a compass to find the directions of north, south, east
and west. Divide this circle into eight pie shapes so that the
middle of the outside arc of four of these wedges is at one of
those points. Remove the sodat the north, south, east and west
points. You may raise the bedsby working the soil and adding an
edging, if you wish. You may also remove the sod in the other four
wedges and add paving stone or gravel.
At each point, plant herbs associated with that particular
direction.Plants for the direction of north include loosestrife,
mugwort, wood sorrel, horehound, and horsetail. You may also plant
any herb with the associations of the Element of Earth. Plants for
the direction of east include agrimony, bittersweet nightshade,
borage, clover, eyebright, marjoram, and sage. You may also use any
herb with theassociation of the Elements of Air. Plants for the
direction of southinclude pasque flower, basil, carrot, celery,
cinquefoil, hyssop, mullein, nettle. You may also use any herb with
the association of the Element of Fire. Plants for the direction of
west include, aster, lemon balm, bedstraw, catnip, daffodil,
feverfew,Lady's mantle, and yarrow. You may also use any herb with
the association of the Element of Water.
You may wish to add a stepping stone with the directions marked on
it at the center of your circle garden. Those stones are normally
available at your local nursery or garden centers. And if you are
so inspired, you prefer to make your own.
