• Lilies represent the purity and chastity of Mary.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  The Catholic religion is loaded with symbolic imagery and meaning. Many common, easy-to-grow plants have a religious significance. Integrate plant symbolism to make your garden a spiritual, personal haven. If you have children, a Catholic garden theme is a wonderful way to teach kids about various religious figures and events. You can choose to start plants from seed or buy seedlings at the local nursery.
  
  

Marian Flowers

• Many Catholics have a special devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Through the centuries, a variety of flowers have come to be associated with Mary, and are often used to decorate churches for Marian feasts. The most common Marian plant is the lily, an annual bulb that blooms with large white petals. They have a sweet fragrance and are also commonly used during Easter. According to Catholic Home and Garden, Easter lilies can be cut down to about 6 inches above the soil once they have lost all their petals. They will bloom again in time for one of the most important Marian feasts, the Feast of the Assumption on August 15. Other Marian flowers include roses, iris, baby's breath and ivy. Plant Marian flowers around a statue of Mary to create a special garden shrine.
  
  

Old Testament Plants

• Old Testament plants are not only rich in symbolic meaning, but they are also very practical due to their culinary and medicinal uses. This is also a helpful activity to teach children about the Old Testament and Jewish heritage, since Catholics consider themselves to be descended from the Jews. According to New Advent's Catholic Encyclopedia, several fruit and vegetable trees are mentioned in the Old Testament, such as the apple, fig, olive, melon and pear tree. Plant Passover herbs and vegetables, such as radishes, lettuce, parsley and horseradish to use during a Holy Thursday Seder Meal. Other Old Testament herbs include mint, anise, saffron and dill.
  
  

Symbols of Christ

• Catholics consider Jesus Christ to be fully human and fully divine, and many are especially devoted to his Passion and death on the cross. The passion flower is one symbolic plant that has a special religious connection to Christ. The flower was discovered by Christian missionaries in the 16th century, who attached a special meaning to its five petals, which represent the five wounds of Christ. It is also known as the maypop or wild apricot, and grows well in the southern regions of the United States. Other flowers that symbolize Christ include the daisy, palm, grapevine and holly.