Memorial Gardens: Gardens for Healing 2 - Planting

Not all of us have room for a large memorial garden. Some of us live in apartment houses with only a small balcony for growing things. Others with more space may have already filled it with more plants than one would believe possible.

That doesn't mean you can't still create a memorial garden. You must simply choose your plant or plants wisely, thinking of the meanings that they hold for you.

The first thing to keep in mind is that whatever you choose should be something that is hardy in your area and that doesn't demand constant attention. A finicky plant may eventually provoke more irritation than happy memories, and so should be avoided at all costs - no matter how appropriate it may seem.

Given that, how do we best find plants that are right for our memorial gardens?

The first and easiest is to choose a plant that had a specific meaning for the person or persons that you are commemorating. If you associate someone with the scent of lavender and lavender is hardy for you then it should be a part of your garden. It will always evoke memories of the person you are creating this garden for.

Another way is to look for a plant that has a specific and appropriate meaning in the context in which we are using it. You might choose a tree for its strength and endurance - or a small pot of rosemary - for remembrance. There are many places where you can discover the meanings behind the different plants, trees and shrubs - and you may find a few that will work for you.

For example, an oak symbolizes liberty, while the allspice shrub stands for compassion. And there is always the olive tree, symbolizing peace and security. Choose one that works for you and the feelings that you want to capture in your garden - but only if it also fits into the available space. You can find a large index of plants arranged by meaning at the Language of Flowers site.

You can also choose a plant because it's name seems appropriate. For instance to commemorate a war hero you might plant the hosta 'Patriot'. For a musician the little Iris reticulata 'Harmony' might be appropriate. Flip through a few catalogs, or visit them online and you're certain to find names that inspire you.

Some plants botanical names are actually Latinized versions of a person's name. Lewisia, for instance, was named after Merriweather Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expeditions. But if your loved one was names Lewis it could be an appropriate plant for their memorial garden as well.

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