For Any Keen UK Gardener, Or Food Forester, A Visit To Buckfast Abbey In Devon Offers More Than Just Stunning Architecture And Spiritual Tranquility. Tucked Away Within Its Serene Grounds Lies A Treasure Trove Of Historical Horticulture: The Physic Garden At Buckfast Abbey.
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This meticulously curated space isn’t just a collection of pretty plants; it’s a living textbook, showcasing the vital role of plants in monastic life and offering a fascinating glimpse into centuries of healing traditions relevant to our own gardening heritage.
My recent visit was one of many. I find this garden such an inspiring revelation. So let me share my thoughts, observations and photos from my last visit.
Monastic Powerhouses of Gardening & Medical Knowledge
Historically, monasteries were powerhouses of knowledge and self-sufficiency, and the care of the sick was a cornerstone of the Benedictine Rule. This necessitated the creation of a “physic garden” – a dedicated space for growing medicinal plants. The Physic Garden at Buckfast Abbey beautifully recreates this tradition, displaying a diverse range of species that would have been indispensable to the monks. It was used for their medicinal, culinary, household, and even, cautiously, their poisonous properties.
Stepping into this garden is a truly immersive experience, transporting you back to a time when the “average monk: was also a highly skilled herbalist. The garden is thoughtfully laid out in distinct sections, allowing you to explore the fascinating world of monastic herbalism, mostly with clear labelling that helps identify each plant and its historical uses.
Understanding the Monastic Patch: Key Plant Sections for the UK Gardener
While the precise plants on display might shift with the seasons (just like our own gardens!), the Buckfast Abbey Physic Garden typically highlights four key categories, each offering insights into historical plant use that resonate with our gardening interests:
Medicinal Plants (The Early Herbalists & 16th/17th Centuries) in The Physic Garden At Buckfast Abbey
This section is the very heart of the Physic Garden, featuring plants that formed the core of the monks’ “pharmacy.” Many of these have long and often surprising histories of use, sometimes echoing folk remedies still known today. I’l write more on these another day, but for now let’s look at the basics.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Often called “knitbone,” this robust plant was a staple for healing wounds, bruises, and even suspected bone fractures due to its allantoin content, which promotes cell growth. A fantastic plant for composting too!
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium): With its cheerful daisy-like flowers, feverfew was a go-to for headaches and migraines – a remedy still explored today. Personally, I can’t stand the smell of it!
Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris): A common wild native, this unassuming plant was a versatile cure-all for minor ailments, from sore throats to cuts. It’s often found in naturalised lawns.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Another native hero, yarrow was prized for its ability to stop bleeding and was used for wounds and nosebleeds. Its fern-like foliage is very attractive. We have plenty of it in our food forest.
Sage (Salvia officinalis): Beyond its culinary fame, sage was believed to promote longevity and aid digestion. Its aromatic leaves are a joy in any garden.
Betony (Stachys officinalis): Once a celebrated panacea, this plant was thought to cure everything from “violent blood” to nightmares.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis): Following the ancient “Doctrine of Signatures,” where a plant’s appearance hinted at its use, lungwort’s spotted leaves, resembling diseased lungs, led to its use for respiratory issues. A beautiful early spring flower for shade, much loved by bees.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): This familiar garden plant has a long history as a gentle sedative, used to calm anxiety and aid sleep – remember the distinctive smell of the roots!
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis): Grown for its purgative properties and to help alleviate chest congestion. Its vibrant blue flowers are also attractive to pollinators.
Buckfast’s Culinary Herbs
Monastic communities were fundamentally self-sufficient, and their gardens supplied the essential ingredients for the refectory. These plants highlight the delicious intersection of flavour and good health, many of which are staples in our own kitchens.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Beyond its distinctive aniseed flavour, fennel seeds were used to alleviate hunger and aid digestion.
Mint (Mentha spp.): A truly versatile herb, mint was used for digestive complaints, headaches, and as a refreshing infusion. Most UK gardeners will have a patch somewhere! In our food forest we have several large patches with several different flavour mints. We eat it but it is also very useful to pollinators that seem to flock to it.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Both a culinary workhorse and a medicinal herb, thyme was valued for respiratory issues and its antiseptic qualities. Ideal for hot, sunny spots.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): Believed to improve memory and used to purify the air in sick rooms with its invigorating scent. A classic Mediterranean shrub for a sheltered spot.
Lovage (Levisticum officinale): Valued for its strong, celery-like flavour in cooking and also used for digestive and urinary issues. A large, architectural perennial.
Household Plants (Dyes, Scents, and Cleaning)
The monks utilised plants for far more than just food and medicine. This section unveils plants that served practical domestic purposes, demonstrating the ingenuity of historical self-reliance.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Beyond its calming aroma, lavender was essential for scenting linen, used in washing, and for its antiseptic properties. A quintessential UK garden plant.
Rose (Rosa spp.): Rose hips are a good source of Vitamin C, and both petals and hips were used for medicinal preparations, perfumes, and even as aromatic “strewing herbs” on floors.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum): Its fragrant leaves were often used to scent linen and as a strewing herb, releasing their scent when dried. A lovely groundcover for shade.
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare): Historically used as an insect repellent, especially against flies, and also had a role in expelling intestinal parasites. A tough perennial with button-like yellow flowers. How effective are these old remedies? Judge for yourself by reading the Research Sources data at the bottom of this page.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis): As its name suggests, the roots of this plant contain saponins, which produce a lather, making it a natural, gentle soap for delicate fabrics.
Poisonous Plants in The Physic Garden At Buckfast Abbey
This crucial section serves as a powerful reminder of nature’s double-edged sword. While often beautiful, these plants are highly dangerous if ingested or handled improperly, underscoring the profound knowledge and careful handling required by monastic infirmarers. The Buckfast Abbey Physic Garden takes care to display these within secure, often raised and contained, areas to ensure visitor safety.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): A common and beloved UK woodland edge plant, it’s the source of the life-saving heart medication digoxin. However, the entire plant is extremely toxic if ingested, with severe cardiac effects.
Monkshood (Aconitum napellus): One of the most poisonous plants found in UK gardens, historically used as an arrow poison. All parts are highly toxic.
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale): Contains colchicine, a highly toxic alkaloid. Often mistaken for edible wild garlic leaves.
Hellebore (Helleborus niger): While providing beautiful winter flowers, hellebores are highly toxic and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and heart problems if ingested.
For the discerning UK gardener, the Physic Garden at Buckfast Abbey is more than just a historical exhibit; it’s an inspiring, educational, and deeply peaceful space. It highlights the immense botanical knowledge that flourished within monastic communities and the timeless connection between people and the natural world. A visit here isn’t just a leisurely stroll; it’s an enriching journey into the roots of our gardening heritage and the enduring power of plants to heal, nourish, and fascinate. It’s a testament to how, even today, our gardens continue to provide so much for body and soul. And an indicator about how little we understand about so many of the plants in our gardens.
Below I have added the peer reviewed research section. but first a gallery of images from The Physic Garden At Buckfast Abbey and grounds.
Medicinal Plant Research Sources
I’ve focused on Tansy in the info below. All the above info can be evidenced by peer reviewed research papers but if I added them all they would come to tens of thousands of words. Use Google Scholar, Google or one of the dedicated research tools to discover more
1. Repellent and Antifeedant Effects on Various Insects (including some relevant to flies):
Brewer, G. J., & Ball, H. J. (1981). A Feeding Deterrent Effect of a Water Extract of Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L., Compositae) on Three Lepidopterous Larvae.Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 54(4), 733-736.
Key Finding: This older than some of the sources below but a relevant study found that a water extract of tansy deterred feeding in two out of three lepidopterous larvae (caterpillars) tested when applied to leaf discs. While not directly on flies, it demonstrates antifeedant properties against insect herbivores, which often correlates with broader repellent effects. The authors also note the historical use of tansy to deter vermin from beds and repel flies at windows. They highlight that the essential oil of tansy contains thujone, borneol, and camphor, all known for biological activity.
Stappen, I., Wanner, J., Tabanca, N., Bernier, U. R., & Kendra, P. E. (2021). Blue tansy oil: chemical composition, repellent activity against Aedes aegypti and attractant activity for Ceratitis capitata.Natural Product Communications, 16(2), 1-8.
Key Finding: While “Blue Tansy” (Tanacetum annuum) is a different species, this study on a related tansy oil provides valuable insight into repellent mechanisms. It investigates the chemical composition and repellent activity against the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The findings here contribute to the understanding of the Tanacetum genus’s repellent potential.
Jankovská, A., Mrva, M., & Valachová, I. (2020). Repellent activity of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) and Tanacetum vulgare (L.) essential oils against Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say).Bulletin of Entomological Research, 110(5), 653-660.
Key Finding: This study directly compares the repellent activity of Tanacetum vulgare (common tansy) and Tanacetum parthenium essential oils against the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). It found that T. vulgare essential oil was effective at repelling both larvae and adults, with a dose-dependent effect. This demonstrates a clear repellent action against an agricultural pest, which is often indicative of broader insect repellent capabilities. The paper discusses how thujone-rich T. vulgare essential oil causes avoidance behavior.
2. Insecticidal and Acaricidal Properties (Implying Repellency/Deterrence):
Jeong, H. G., Kang, S. H., Park, J. H., Kim, M. K., & Lee, M. K. (2009). Acaricidal properties of Artemisia absinthium and Tanacetum vulgare (Asteraceae) essential oils obtained by three methods of extraction.Journal of Medical Entomology, 46(1), 167-172.
Key Finding: This research focuses on the acaricidal (mite-killing) properties of T. vulgare essential oil. It found that the oil was toxic to spider mites, and that β-thujone was identified as a major compound in the oil, likely contributing significantly to its acaricidal activity. While not directly on flies, the presence of potent insecticidal compounds like thujone suggests strong repellent capabilities.
Moharramipour, E., Farazmand, S., & Jalali Sendi, F. (2021). Tanacetum vulgare essential oil as grain protectant against adults and larvae of four major stored-product insect pests.Journal of Stored Products Research, 94, 101882.
Key Finding: This study investigated the insecticidal effects of T. vulgare essential oil against various stored-product insects. It found that the essential oil caused significant mortality in several species, demonstrating its potential as a botanical insecticide. This further supports the idea that the compounds in tansy are generally effective against insects, which would naturally include a repellent effect to avoid harmful concentrations.
3. Thujone and Other Volatiles as Active Compounds:
Several papers, including those listed above, consistently identify thujone, camphor, borneol, and 1,8-cineoleas key volatile compounds in Tanacetum vulgare essential oil. These compounds are well-established in the scientific literature for their insecticidal, repellent, and antifeedant properties.
Wanner, J., Tabanca, N., Bernier, U. R., & Kendra, P. E. (2021). Blue tansy oil: chemical composition, repellent activity against Aedes aegypti and attractant activity for Ceratitis capitata. (Already cited above, but re-emphasizing the chemical composition aspect).
