(current era) to 1450 CE]. The PSMG evolved from a temporary indoor gar- den display presented at “Scenes and Seasons: The Medieval Landscape,” a conference held at the University Park campus of Penn State in April 1999. The Teaching conference brought together members of the academic community, profession- al gardeners and other individuals inter- ested in medieval landscapes and plants. Methods A portion of the conference, to which the public was invited, was dedicated to the display of different aspects of medi- eval crafts, life and skills. This included y using alternative teaching longbow and crossbow demonstrations, The Pennsylvania environments outside of the bread baking, preparation of household Btraditional classroom, educa- potions, tool making and pottery throw- State University tors can offer students a variety of ing. One result of this public interaction learning experiences that engage and with the exhibitors and displays was the Medieval Garden: challenge. It has been determined that tremendous interest from the general Using a Specialized activity-based curricula that include public in many aspects of medieval life hands-on experiences help students related to horticulture. Many visitors Garden as an retain new knowledge and acquire requested information on medieval gar- new skills (McCormick et al., 1989). dens, the different uses of plants, and Alternative Teaching Horticulture provides an excellent op- where to acquire them. Development portunity for such hands-on learning of a permanent medieval garden dis- and Learning (Skelly and Zajaicek, 1998) and the play was viewed as an avenue to address role of agriculture in development of this need and provide a simultaneous, Environment the human race can be integrated into multi-faceted learning environment for these programs. It has been suggested undergraduates. Although an outdoor that an interdisciplinary approach, garden of this type had been desired 1 Martin R. McGann and focusing on multiculturalism, allows by individuals and groups within the Robert D. Berghage2 for integration of horticulture across university for some time, the funding, several disciplines (Eames-Sheavly, the land, and methods of installation 1994). These disciplines can include had not been available. After this con- ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. hands-on history, medicine, art, science, and ference, a coordinated effort between teaching, medieval herbals, medieval language arts. One of the most versa- the Department of Horticulture and the plants, period illustration tile environments for these multicultural Center for Medieval Studies was made to SUMMARY. The Pennsylvania State and multidisciplinary programs is the obtain funds, and a grant was received University Medieval Garden (PSMG) garden (Skelly and Zajaicek, 1998). from AT&T (Bedminster, N.J.). The showcases varieties of medieval plants Specialized gardens can be employed 150 × 50-ft (45.7 × 15.2-m) garden used as ornamentals, food crops, me- as a teaching platform to introduce new was constructed on land provided by the dicinal ingredients, and for household concepts into existing curricula and also Department of Horticulture, and labor purposes in a stylized setting repre- as a cooperative learning environment came from students in the department’s senting a medieval garden. Since its for students and their peers, teachers, Landscape Contracting Program. installation, various colleges within The objective of the project was to the university as well as community volunteers, and parents. Integration of groups have used the garden as an this interdisciplinary multicultural ap- provide a representative plant collection alternative classroom for learning proach to horticulture has been used and to provide interpretive information activities, educational demonstrations, in the PSMG on the main campus of to visitors, students and educators. The and events related to the medieval pe- the Pennsylvania State University (Penn garden was designed to meet educa- riod. This article focuses on the initial State) at University Park where devel- tional, research and aesthetic needs of development of the garden design and opment of a program for exceptional students and faculty in the Department how the installation and continued high school students uses this specialized of Horticulture, the Center for Medieval use as a classroom has contributed to garden as an outdoor classroom. Studies, other colleges and departments meeting educational goals for students within the university, regional public in the landscape contracting program Garden development and schools (both elementary and second- at the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Governor’s interpretation ary), outreach education programs School for Agricultural Sciences. The PSMG was developed to high- outside of the region and lastly, as an light different aspects of the medieval inventory platform for heirloom plant 1Associate professor of landscape contracting, De- partment of Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State garden and landscape. The medieval varieties. A secondary benefi t has been University. period is generally considered to lie the number of tourists and visitors 2Associate professor of horticulture, Department of between the fall of classical antiquity who seek the garden during a visit to Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University. and the start of the Renaissance [476 CE campus. • January–March 2004 14(1) 155 TM1 155 11/6/03, 12:55:17 PM TEACHING METHODS The PSMG is representative of prepare papers on alternative medicines. sonings, fragrances, sauces, dyes and a garden of northwestern Europe Subsequent uses of the garden include other household and culinary pur- during the latter Middle Ages. The classes in herbaceous plant identifi ca- poses (Landsberg, 1996). The variety selection of this time period permits tion, plant propagation, landscape of uses for some plants is surprising. use of the broadest range of period construction, fi ne arts: introduction to For example mugwort, (Artemesia vul- texts for plant research, teaching and drawing, painting, photography, early garis), a common weed in the modern garden illustrations. Although many German literature, medieval studies and landscape, was used to fl avor pork and period texts describe plants and their art history. drink, as a moth repellent, to protect the uses, information on specifi c medieval A preliminary design plan was traveler from fatigue and sunstroke and garden design, materials used and plant prepared for a three-part garden a protection against evil spirits. Plants in culture is minimal. Published garden in- representing the formal, social, and the kitchen garden are located in raised formation discusses the variety of period utilitarian aspects of a medieval garden. beds surrounded by a wattle fence, a garden styles and designs but specifi cs The three main areas include a formal structure created by weaving limber on when certain styles were introduced, garden, kitchen garden, and pleasure saplings between upright posts. They regional variations in design, plant avail- ground (Fig. 1). Each section displays are very quick, easy and inexpensive to ability or management of the garden different aspects of medieval gardens construct. Typically white willow (Salix are very limited. It was therefore neces- and plants. alba) or european hazel (Corylus avel- sary to adopt a stylized representative The formal garden is an enclosed lana) was used in their construction garden design using elements adapted garden and has an herbaceous border (Landsberg, 1996) since these were from a variety of different period and with plants important in romance and abundant natural resources. For this modern illustrations and texts. In con- religion. Some of these plants include garden, red maple (Acer rubrum) sap- cept, the garden provides a setting that those with three leaves [e.g., strawberry lings were used since they were readily functions as a background to display (Fragaria vesca)] representing the Holy available. A simulated well is located in medieval plants used as ornamentals, Trinity, fruit trees representing the Tree the center of this garden where it would food crops, medicinal ingredients and of Life or Tree of Knowledge, white have typically provided water for garden other household purposes. In addition, fl owers that stand for the Virgin Mary, and household uses. the garden was also designed to serve red fl owers that stand for the Blood The pleasure ground has a more as an outdoor classroom for students of the Martyrs and other plants that informal aspect with an enclosing hedge with such varied interests as horticulture represent important personages or and sapling fence. In medieval times and plant science, use of plants in the events in the bible. This garden also these fences and hedges acted as physi- medieval period, medicine, fi ne arts and has a raised turf bench, or exedra, that cal and symbolic barriers between the plant illustration. One of the fi rst uses of is often depicted in period illustrations ordered world of the garden and the the garden after its initial installation was (Harvey, 1981). chaos of the outside world (Pearsall, by the Penn State School of Nursing; The kitchen garden contains plants 1986). Ornamental plants are located students were required to use plants to as important sources of medicines, sea- around the perimeter in planting beds Fig. 1. Conceptual plan of the Penn- sylvania State University Medieval Garden. The kitchen garden is located in the center