How to Grow 3 Plants for Prudence

Last updated on: March 7, 2016 at 1:01 pm by Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB

How to Grow 3 Plants for Prudence 2016-03-07T13:01:45-05:00 Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Prayer gardens are focused on any number of spiritually uplifting themes. They includes more than the eternally beloved Marian garden. Why not a garden that reflects the virtues?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, there are four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. There are also three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. We’re pretty familiar with all of them. Though if you are like me, continue to work on each.

To begin to create a landscape themed on the virtues, start with the first cardinal virtue, prudence.

Prudence is right reason in action. It is the virtue that guides all the other virtues; it directs our thoughts to recognize the difference between good and evil.

In the symbolic representation of plants, it is the European Mountain Ash, also known as Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia, which connotes prudence. One reason for this symbolism is that its leaves and fruit hold fast against the fickle winds of changing weather. It is prudence that immediately guides our judgment and conscious so we are not easily swayed by the fickleness of man.

This tree is also a reminder to practice prudence in that its flowers smell like rotting flesh and so we are a reminder of our ultimate end!

A lovely alternate for the garden is the American Mountain Ash, Sorbus americana. This ornamental tree has four season of interest. In spring it breaks bud with bright chartreuse leaves, with both leaves and floral buds tipped in coral. In early summer it is covered with white corymbs, ach composed of nearly 250 small flowers. Come autumn the leaves range from a deep vibrant gold to a fiery red, while loaded with an abundance of red-orange berry clusters. These berries persist through winter, being food for birds.

Another woody plant for this virtue is the dark pink azalea, Rhododendron ‘Prudence’. Like most azaleas, it prefers partial shade and highly organic acid soil that is evenly moist but well-drained. Plant them shallowly and mulch with organic material, such as pine needles or bark mulch, to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. It is hardy in Zones 6-9. If you do need to prune, which is rare, do so immediately after the flowers fade. Try to site them where they will not need to be pruned back from winter and wind damage, or browsed by deer. Azaleas are popular for hedges, foundation plantings, mixed borders, and naturalistic gardens.

For the perennial flower bed consider Hemerocallis ‘Prudence’, a lovely deep gold daylily. It is showy, with slightly ruffled petals, fragrant, a late season bloomer with an extended bloom period. Like most daylilies it is rugged; easy to grow in full sun in average soil, hardy in Zones 3-9. (I couldn’t find a royalty free image, but this picture is very similar, lacking only the dark gold center.)

For more Catholic garden ideas, my latest book, A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac, will offer inspiration. To learn how to build a prayer garden, my first book, A Garden of Visible Prayer, will lead you through the process one step at a time.

(All images courtsey of shutterstock.com)

Stay in touch! Like The Catholic Garden, Morning Rose Prayer Gardens’ page on Facebook:

The Catholic Garden, Morning Rose Prayer Gardens’ page

Catholic Garden

American Mountain Ash

Previous Post

March 3, 2015

In Their Frustration, We Pray for Sisters and Nuns

Next Post

March 5, 2015 Shepherding the Shepherds, Praying for Priests

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category @pontifex Aleteia Ask the Pope Book Reviews Caring for Houseplants Catholic Garden Christmas Christmas decorations Christmas Gifts for Gardeners Christmas Plants Christmases Past Equus Passage Faith and Gratitude Fasting and Virtue Flowers Fun Stuff Garden Catechism Garden Saints Garden Walk Gifts Gardener God's Timing Houseplants How to say thank you Language of flowers Letting Go Life of Christ meaning of Christmas Photo Challenge Practical Gardening Prayer Prayer for Priests Prayers for Sisters and Nuns Prayers Needed Pro-life Quote Recipes Saints Starting Seeds symbolism of evergreens Synod of Bishops Uncategorized Writing

Select a Month May 2017 March 2017 August 2016 July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz