Three Old Garden Companions

Hyssop, Borage, and Comfrey in the Early Herbal World of Plymouth Colony

In the early 1600s, a garden was more than a place for beauty.

It was pantry, medicine chest, scent cupboard, kitchen helper, comfort station, and household insurance.

For the English families who came to Plymouth, the garden near the house mattered deeply. It helped season food. It offered familiar plants in an unfamiliar land. It carried memory from Eng…