In many Pagan traditions, there is a strong emphasis on the use of plants in ritual. In Celtic traditions like mine, trees are especially important, but herbs and flowers are used as well. I like to incorporate planting them as part of my rituals, but being a gardener, I have to think about some practical issues.

Sometimes folklore tells us that certain plants are key ingredients of specific spells or herbal uses, but they don't grow here naturally. It's easy enough to buy or trade for foreign seeds -- just join any of a number of gardening clubs. Even cuttings and saplings are easy enough to acquire. But will certain varieties do well if I plant them so far from their original habitat? What sort care will they need? Will they even grow at all?

While I would never discourage someone from exercising their green thumb, I do like to recommend using native plants. There are equivalents for most European plants here, and they will more easily handle our harsh northeastern winters. They are also easy to grow -- most require little tending if given a good start. And energetically speaking, I'd think it would be more beneficial to work with a plant that's in harmony with it's environment rather than forcing something to struggle with adverse conditions.

There are plenty of fantastic plants that will rival any exotic hothouse beauty. There are wild orchids that grow all the way up into Canada! Taking time to work with native plants also helps you get more in tune with your environment, to better understand how your own little corner of the world grows and changes with the seasons.

Along with native plants, heirloom seeds (seeds used by our ancestors that have been handed down through the generations) are also a fantastic way to go. They are much hardier than their hybrid cousins -- easier to grow and more disease resistant. You can even look up old recipes to use if you like to do kitchen witchery. These plants are good for herbal remedies, too, though be careful to do your research before using them for this purpose. When you plant seeds, be sure to grow them in good soil, not just any patch of ground, because you don't know what contaminants might have been spilled there. I like to grow them in pots so I can bring them in and have green growing things in my house all winter.

One last idea is bulbs. If you don't have a green thumb, but still want to plant and grow things for magical uses, bulbs are an easy way to start. They require almost no tending and will return every year at the change of the seasons. There are bulbs that will bloom in any of the four seasons in our area; just read the label to find out when to plant them.

You can incorporate planting bulbs into your quarterly rites. In the fall, plant crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips. These bloom from late winter through spring. In the spring and summer, plant gladiolas, dahlias, lilies, and cannas, which will bloom in summer and fall. Dig summer bulbs up before winter and store them away for next year. For winter, I like to plant amaryllis in pots indoors for festive live Yule decorations.

To help you get started, here are some online resources to find more about native and easy-to-grow plants.

PA Dept. of Conservation

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/wildplant/native.aspx

Info on native plants

And a list of sources

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/wildplant/nativesources.aspx

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve

http://www.bhwp.org/

native plant information/classes/sales

Antique and Heirloom Flowers

http://www.selectseeds.com/

Catalpa Seeds

http://www.catalpatreeseeds.com/index.asp

heirloom, homeopathic, organic seeds

Bulbs and more

http://www.dutchgardens.com

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Library

http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/garden/libraryhome.html

Heirloom bulbs

http://oldhousegardens.com/

Burpee carries lots of heirloom veggies and flowers

http://www.burpee.com

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