Deep in the wilderness of Quebec lies the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, where two dozen cloistered monks live in silence and prayer. Although they’ve taken a vow of silence, the monks are world-famous for their singing voices, reciting chants so profound they produce an effect known as “the beautiful mystery” – the inspiration for the title of the eighth book in Louise Penny’s series.
When the monks aren’t singing, they’re making chocolate, tending to their chickens, and growing vegetables and medicinal herbs. Plants that might be found in each of the monastery gardens are listed below.
The Abbot’s Garden
“Gamache longed to walk around the abbot’s garden. No matter how tilled and weeded and pruned it was, that control was an illusion. There was no taming nature.” – The Beautiful Mystery
- Echinacea: Native to North America and named for the Greek word for hedgehog, this medicinal plant is commonly used to treat colds, among other ailments.
- Meadowsweet: Meadowsweet, or “Queen of the Meadow”, is prevalent in the United Kingdom and was a favorite potpourri of Queen Elizabeth I.
- Chamomile: Widely known for its use in herbal teas, Chamomile can also be added as a flavoring ingredient in beer.
Vegetable Garden
“Jean-Guy looked at the garden. It was huge. Much, much bigger than the abbot’s garden. This was clearly a vegetable garden, whose main crop seemed to be massive mushrooms.” – The Beautiful Mystery
- Mushrooms: A fungus that comes in all shapes and sizes – some of which are poisonous – that can be used in many ways, including a vehicle to “turn on, tune in, drop out”.
- Squash: A member of the Cucurbita family, along with gourds and pumpkins, that are known to attract “Squash” bees and come in a myriad of winter and summer varieties.
- Carrots: A root vegetable that dates back to 3000 BC, consumption of which was once thought to improve night vision – they do not. But they are still a favorite of Bugs Bunny, who popularized the myth that rabbits naturally eat carrots – they do not.
What are some of your favorite medicinal herbs and vegetables?
20 replies on “The Gardens of Three Pines: The Gardens of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups”
I have many colours of echinacea in my garden. Such a strong showy flower with tons of character and determination. It does not get pushed around. Its neighbours are beautiful soft lavender, abundant parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, mint and calendula. I love to harvest the rhubarb, dill, peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes from my garden, which feels healthy, picked warm, fresh and eaten daily. I’ve been to the Abbey Saint Benoît du Lac a few times. The private tour was amazing, giving access to places the public cannot see. It is very beautiful during any season, but especially in fall. It is such a spiritual place, being in the presence of the monks and hearing their chanting. Gardens are where life lives…
I tend a community garden in the Healthy Aging senior apartments where I reside. We currently are growing rosemary, chives, purselane, oregano, mint, watercress, sage, echinacea, yarrow, parsley and thyme. In addition, tomatoes, zucchini, lemons, tangerines and wildflowers for the bees and butterflies. All this in 5 raised beds and a third floor deck!
One of my favorite garden herbs is chamomile. I find it everywhere along roadsides and at the edge of a meadow. I have mullein in my yard and (unfortunately too much ) mint! I let purslane live where it comes up and use it frequently in my salads. Chives and dandelion are other greens that i appreciate very much.
Love all your comments. I too visited St Benoit my family lives nearby which makes it handy for purchasing the cheese always.
I tend a community garden in the Healthy Aging senior apartments where I reside. We currently are growing rosemary, chives, purselane, oregano, mint, watercress, sage, echinacea, yarrow, parsley and thyme. In addition, tomatoes, zucchini, lemons, tangerines and wildflowers for the bees and butterflies. All this in 5 raised beds and a third floor deck!
Really enjoying this garden re-exploration. Thank you. Waiting, not exactly, patiently for the new one.
We grow carrots and others vegetables in raised, waist height troughs. No more bending over for weeding and great pickings.
That’s a great idea – also keeps the rabbits out, i hope
Unfortunately it doesn’t keep out the digger squirrels and daring cats…
My cousin, Yves Pelletier, took my sister and I, from the States, to the Abbey of Saint Benoit on Sunday. To hear the monk playing the organ, and then the Monks walking in and chanting, was heavenly. I went for the cheese (and bought a lot!), but came away with the most peaceful feeling.
What a lovely impression and memory❣️
It is a beautiful abbey we visited last year.
I wondered if Louise Penny had used this monastery to aid her descriptions.
We also thoroughly enjoyed our visit a few years ago. So many “goodies” to purchase including the wonderful chocolate covered blueberries 😋 Of course, best of all was the music and setting that brought us peace 🙏
I’ve often started at the beginning of Louise’s wonderful series and read many in anticipation of the release of a new title. I’m basking in the glow of a new grandbabe so I may set aside my crochet hook and reread a few – pausing to savor the walks through gardens…thanks
I’ve been going through chemo for months and when unable to go anywhere I’ve been rereading all of my Gamache collection.
All the best during this trying tina, Sylvia. What i have done in times of hardship is listen to the books instead of reading them. The immersion feels more complete that way. I hope you feel better soon and are restored to good health
This sounds very much like St Benoit’s Monastery near Magog We used to go there once a month when we had Casablanca B&B in North Hatley to buy their incredible cheese and chocolate It is a beautiful Abbey and the monks chant the Gregorian Chant and it gives you goosebumps it is so beautiful cand holy
You’ll enjoy this: https://www.gamacheseries.com/the-beautiful-mystery-real-place/
Nice you included the link so I could revisit the Abbey!
Good idea to do this.