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Cemetery Plot Gardens

Posted by big_john z6b LI NY (My Page) on
Wed, May 30, 07 at 19:52

Where are the best ones? What plants shrubs alpines conifers smallish trees look best in combination on those small sites? Anyone ever design to scale a graveside planting that thrived in the graveyard environment?
Do tell.

bj


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RE: Cemetery Plot Gardens

BJ
Cemetary plots would seem to come in several varieties. Are you looking for a single plot or a more comprehensive family plot?

Typical plants seem to be restricted to Yews and other long living evergreen material. One site though that I know of had thyme planted on the family plots. Apparently the last of the line had ordered a set of thyme plants/seeds and they arrived a week or so after he passed away. The decision was made to sow the thyme over the gravesite and it really does look nice.
Kate


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RE: Cemetery Plot Gardens

  • Posted by clfo z7 with luck (My Page) on
    Tue, Jun 19, 07 at 20:19

In my area people tend to plant dwarf Alberta Spruce on either side of the stone - a REALLY BAD idea because they are Really-Not-So-Dwarf. These trees cover and upend the gravestone after a few years. Don't do it.

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' on the other hand is the best behaved plant for a cemetery. It looks stylish from early spring when it pokes out of the ground, right through the summer when it blooms, and into December when there is frost/snow on the dried flowers. The only way you can go wrong with this plant is to over-water or over-fertlize it.

I just passed a cemetery the other day when I was speaking in New Hampshire, and the sign at the entry said "No Artificial Flowers - No Plantings" and I have to say that although I laughed at the sign, the cemetery was lovely and peaceful - grass and the headstones...period.

Perhaps memorial plantings should be made in other locations?


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