Medieval Gardens: Gardening during the medieval time was for the primary purpose of providing food, medicine, and household goods. Gardens might contain edible flowers, fruit trees, and herbs. Some plants like basil had dual purposes and were thought to repel flies and also were used for odor control. Medieval gardens now are used mostly for relaxation.

The Medieval Garden Garden History, Use of Plants and Herbs in the Middle Ages
Rachel Bellerby Mar 3, 2008 For medieval people, a garden was much more than a place to relax; it could be used as a way of earning money, a place to rear animals and even a source of medicine.