In the vegetable garden of Domaine Bonneblond, nestled between beds full of vegetables and flowers, lies our herb spiral. Rosemary, thyme, sage and lemon balm release their fragrance as you walk past. Built in 2025 from stones and rocks found on the land, the spiral is inspired by Celtic and Druid traditions as well as modern permaculture. It creates an energetic anchor point in the garden.

Stone by stone, we loaded the foundation into the back of the Peugeot van. The temperature was well above twenty degrees, and the forest offered some welcome shade. We needed at least a hundred stones of different sizes to build the spiral. Why buy new materials when seventy hectares of land already provide everything you need?

You might be wondering, what exactly is a herb spiral? It’s a clever way to grow as much as possible in a small space. An age-old principle that has been used in permaculture since the 1980s. Instead of a flat garden bed, you build upwards in a spiral that gently rises towards the centre. This creates microclimates with different levels of light and moisture — dry and warm at the top, cooler and more humid at the bottom. The spiral is positioned according to the wind directions, allowing herbs with different needs to thrive together.

At the top, I planted rosemary, which loves sun and dry soil. Nearby grows thyme, which we harvest all summer long. On the eastern side, I planted tiny marigold seedlings I grew myself — by the end of summer, they will take over half the spiral. On the western side grow sage and verbena, their grey-green leaves almost silver in the evening light. Some herbs are used for tea, like verbena and lemon balm. Others go straight into the kitchen. Not a single roasted potato has left our kitchen this season without a sprig of rosemary from the spiral.

Now, when I walk through the garden in the morning, the air smells of herbs and earth still cool from the night. The spiral may only be two metres wide, but it yields more than any other part of the garden. It is a place where every leaf carries its own scent, and with it, its own story.

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The Energetic Power of the Herb Spiral

Beyond its practical use, the herb spiral offers a deeply grounding place. The idea of a circular, energetically charged herb garden has ancient roots in Celtic and Druid traditions. In Celtic culture, the spiral symbolised life, growth, death and rebirth — a continuous movement between inner and outer, earth and sky, darkness and light.

Druids used herbs for healing, rituals and divination, understanding their energetic qualities. Sage represents purification, thyme courage and protection, and lemon balm peace and harmony. These herbs were often placed in circular gardens, where energy was believed to flow more freely and life force could be sustained.

The herb spiral at Bonneblond is a place to pause and reconnect. Away from the bustle of the courtyard, it offers space to reflect. Feel free to sit for a moment and create your own small ritual — however simple or meaningful it may be. Lideweij is happy to share the stories and qualities of the herbs and can guide you in drawing a card or setting an intention.