In the community of Shaker Heights, a suburb near Cleveland, a thriving, religious colony called the Shakers lived and worked, producing quantities of woolen goods, dairy products and herbal products to sell. The group was called the North Union Village and it existed from 1822 until 1889.

The Shakers of North Union Village, as well as many other Shaker societies, raised a variety of herbs for their personal use and for sale in medicinal preparations. In fact, over the years, the Shakers grew herbs in quantities large enough to supply the medicinal needs of their entire individual areas. The society of North Union Village carried on the largest medicinal herb business in the country and grew many varieties of herbs on 4,500 acres of land.

In a common Shaker garden, herbal plants such as tansy, feverfew, marjoram, pennyroyal, lemon verbena, flax, goat’s rue, soapwort and many others grew in profusion. These herbs were grown purely for their medicinal properties. However, aside from their curative powers, some of these plants also produce colorful flowers and attractive foliage making them a lovely addition to any garden.

One Shaker herb that would grace a flower or herb garden today is flax (Linum usitatissimum). Flax, also called linseed or lint bells, is a tender perennial that produces a lovely red, white or blue flower that blooms in early to late summer. The flowers are born atop slim stalks one to four feet tall with many narrow, sword-shaped leaves. Flax prefers loamy soil and plenty of sun.

From the flax plant, the Shakers concocted a variety of remedies. Linseed oil, pressed from the flax seeds, was used in an infusion given for all diseases of the chest or lungs. For bronchitis, a poultice made from powdered seeds was applied to the chest. Linseed oil was also bottled and sold as a treatment for burns and scalds.

I have seen flax plants growing happily among the rocks of a rock garden where they swayed airily in each breeze and brightened the rocks, mosses and sedums with their bright blue flowers. At my own home, they grow along the edge of a raised vegetable garden. There they soften the edge and add color to the greens, yellows and reds of the veggies.

Another herb found in Shaker gardens was goat’s rue (Galega officinalis). It is a perennial plant that grows to a height of three feet. It has hollow stems and fern-like pinnate leaves. Goat’s rue flowers in early to mid-summer and produces small spikes of pale blue-white blooms. This herb prefers deep, moist soil with lots of sun.

The Shakers dried the goat’s rue plant, ground it and sold the powder as a remedy for fevers and as a diuretic. It was also used for diabetic conditions.

As a flowering plant, the blooms of goat’s rue are not as showy as some other flowering herbs, but the foliage is very nice and since it prefers a sunny location, it can provide a fern-like look in areas of the garden where ferns would not grow. It is also a relatively carefree, tall-growing perennial and can be used as a background planting for other flowers.

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) was grown by the Shakers and was also known as; “Bouncing Bet,” “Old Maid’s Pink,” and “London Pride.” It is also a perennial herb and grows to about two feet. It has pointed, oval, pale green leaves and produces very pretty pink blooms. Perhaps the nicest feature of this herb is its fragrant scent. It has been described as a raspberry- sorbet, with a hint of clove, fragrance. Planted near a deck or patio this herb will fill the air with its delightful perfume on warm, summer evenings. Soapwort prefers full sun to part shade and fertile, moist soil.

The Shakers used this herb in tonics, demulcents, and astringents. Used externally it was said to cure itching and skin irritations.

A final representative herb grown in Shaker gardens was Lemon Verbena (Lippia citriodora). It is a tender perennial that will grow back for several years if trimmed back in the fall and protected through the winter. Lemon Verbena grows to a height of one to three feet, has a ridged, round, woody stem with long, pointed, rough-textured leaves. The flowers bloom in late summer and are small, white or purple, and grow in loose clusters at the top of the stem. It enjoys full sun and light, well-drained soil.

Lemon Verbena was grown in Shaker gardens for its leaves. Once dried, they were used to brew a tea that was used as a sedative. The dried leaves were also used in treatments for bronchitis, nasal congestion, indigestion, nausea, and palpitations.

Though not a showy or a colorful plant, Lemon Verbena would be a pleasant addition to any herb garden or it can be grown in pots. Its lemony fragrant leaves have a sharp, clean aroma and, if grown near a porch or deck, their scent can be enjoyed while relaxing or entertaining outside. The leaves can also be dried and used in sachets or potpourris or they can be used fresh in oils or vinegars. When dried, Lemon Verbena leaves will hold their strong lemony scent for up to three years. Potpourris containing Lemon Verbena leaves are said to have a soothing effect.

Shaker gardens of the 1800s were alive with the colors and fragrances of many varieties of herbs but the Society members were strongly cautioned to “savor the plants not for their beauty but for their usefulness.” However, these herbs grown then for “medicinal purposes only” are still available today and can be used and enjoyed for their many fine qualities. Hopefully, many of them will find their place as ornamental, colorful, fragrant, and useful plants in our home herb and flower gardens today. 

The Shaker Historical Society maintains a museum on the site of the North Union Shaker Colony, which preserves the history of this settlement. The museum bookstore contains many books about the herbs and plants grown by the Shakers.

The museum is open to the public and information can be obtained by calling 216- 921-1201.

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