Plants for unattended Grave...?

[MarkOlliethe2nd]

Hi guys,
I live on the Essex East Coast but my father is buried in Bradford, Yorkshire. I try and get up there at 'least' once a year but I feel guilty that everytime I get to the cemetry gates I see no flowers. The neighbours () have those dried/artificial flowers and although from a distance look colourfull are not to my taste.

I am going up in July and wanted to make a small bed infront of the headstone. With that what plants could I plant that can basically look after themselves and survive long dry spells? They dont have to be flowers with petals on, could be just greenery items.

Also any tips/pointers or gadgets that could help in locking in moisture (rain water) would also be much appreciated.
Many Thanks in advance

[Contrary Mary]

MarkOlliethe 2nd said: "Also any tips/pointers or gadgets that could help in locking in moisture (rain water) would also be much appreciated..."


Mixing vermiculite in with the compost I use in my veg beds seems to have worked quite well. It's a bit pricey, but worth it IMO, for not having to replace dried out plants all the time. Proportions I was recommended to use were about 1/3 of the total volumne of growing material - I have ended up with about half that, and it still seems to work.

[MarkOlliethe2nd]

Originally Posted by Contrary Mary

MarkOlliethe 2nd said: "Also any tips/pointers or gadgets that could help in locking in moisture (rain water) would also be much appreciated..."


Mixing vermiculite in with the compost I use in my veg beds seems to have worked quite well. It's a bit pricey, but worth it IMO, for not having to replace dried out plants all the time. Proportions I was recommended to use were about 1/3 of the total volumne of growing material - I have ended up with about half that, and it still seems to work.

Thanks for that, I shall look into it - Many Thanks

[tigerella]

Hi, I'd plant various herbs, such as lavender, sage and thyme for the front. They will respond to minimal pruning.You could also push some osmocote plant food plugs into the soil in the spring and that will feed them for six months through the growing season.
Sage is my favourite. It used to be planted on graves to ease grief and symbolize immortality. There are so many beautiful variations, such as varigated, tri colour, pineapple and purple.

[MarkOlliethe2nd]

Originally Posted by tigerella

Hi, I'd plant various herbs, such as lavender, sage and thyme for the front. They will respond to minimal pruning.You could also push some osmocote plant food plugs into the soil in the spring and that will feed them for six months through the growing season.
Sage is my favourite. It used to be planted on graves to ease grief and symbolize immortality. There are so many beautiful variations, such as varigated, tri colour, pineapple and purple.

Oooooooo herbs.... I would never of thought of that, can imagine my father hosting his very own 'Come Dine With Me' for the dead......
Will have to research all your ideas, and look into whats best, but greatly appreciated, shall post some pics in mid-July and let you all know what I went for.... BUt many thanks again, very helpful as I havent a clue

[Cooky]

herbs sound a good idea i just let mine get on with it

lemon tyme is pretty hardy and smells nice mines on its second year now with no looking after it

[tigerella]

Good luck!!

[MarkOlliethe2nd]

I asked Charlie Dimmock in a web chat and this was her response

Hi Mark,

For your father's grave I would advise you go for evergreen shrubs that are small so they're going to look nice all the time. You could try heathers, and things like Euoymus which is a great evergreen shrub.

Or how about trying Daphne Odora? The variegated one, which is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub with beautfully scented flowers. And I'd underplant your shrubs with low growing bulbs like Crocus, Dwarf Daffodils and maybe Anenomes.

To help deal with the soil moisture levels, I'd advise you improve the soil by digging in Garden Impover or Garden Compost. Then after you've planted your chosen plants, mulch the surface with bark or gravel, after you've watered, and that should help lock in moisture.

Thanks for your question Mark.

Just thought I would post it here so anyone with the same question would find it usefull...

[Shetty]

What about some bulbs, miniature daffs or crocus, caclamen for a bitf colour early on and in autumn?

Shetty

[MarkOlliethe2nd]

Originally Posted by MarkOlliethe2nd

I asked Charlie Dimmock in a web chat and this was her response



Just thought I would post it here so anyone with the same question would find it usefull...

Originally Posted by Shetty

What about some bulbs, miniature daffs or crocus, caclamen for a bitf colour early on and in autumn?

Shetty

lmao - Yeah she covered that...

And I'd underplant your shrubs with low growing bulbs like Crocus, Dwarf Daffodils and maybe Anenomes.