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Cemetery display

Frew7Frew7 Posts: 5
edited November 2018 in Plants
Hello everyone, 
I sadly lost my partner to cancer last year and now the headstone has been erected I’m trying to think of suitable plants for the site. I’m looking for plants that are as rabbit proof as possible and scented, preferably. I’ve read French Lavendar may be a good option and we had a particular fondness for herbs such as Rosemary and Thyme, too. 

Apologies if I’ve posted in the wrong place, I’m new to the site but any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you. 
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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Sorry for your loss.
    I think ordinary English lavender is hardier than french lavender, so that may be a consideration. All the plants you suggest would prefer a gritty, well drained soil in a sunny position.  Have you checked with the cemetery as to what is allowed?
  • Frew7Frew7 Posts: 5
    Thanks, fidgetbones.

     I’ve read all the cemetery literature and it seems they simply turn a blind eye to the strict regulations. I want to keep things tasteful though and considered planting in bottomless pots to prevent spreading. 

    Worryingly, I don’t think the soil is particularly free draining though, it seems quite muddy. 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    You could dig out the clay muddy sub soil near to the top of the stone and replace with some nice compost. Not a good idea to plant the whole length of the grave, spare a thought for the man who comes along with the strimmer, it’s not easy cutting around lots of plants. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Very hard for you.
    How about snowdrops...early to flowers, some are scented.
    Rabbits leave them alone.
    Dies down to allow for grass cutting later.
    They should grow and increase each year.
    Not too late to pop a few hundred bulbs in now for next year.
    This is what we have done on family graves.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/articles/graham-rice/perennials-and-bulbs/10-agm-snowdrops
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    That’s a very good idea SS. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Frew7Frew7 Posts: 5
    Lovely idea, Silver Surfer, thank you. 

    Didn’t consider replacing some soil, Lyn, thank you.  I’m only looking to plant on either side of the stone. Have no intention of planting on the grass. 
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Depending how often you intend to visit the grave, poted plants can be a good idea - we visited every fortnight, so can water and feed the pots regularly, although in very dry weather weekly is essential to keep the plants thriving.  At various times we have used lavenders, cyclamen, heathers, bulbs of various types but not too tall and miniature hebes.  We no longer put cut flowers in vases or urns as the wind tends to cause havoc for anything taller than a few inches, and the plants last a lot longer than the flowers do.This is how it looked during remembrance week last year with cyclamen.  Other we don't often use the marble urn, but other relatives use it for flowers.

  • Danae(dan-Ah-ee)Danae(dan-Ah-ee) Posts: 966
    I'm so sorry for your loss, Frew 7. 
    Sometimes, graves can be a little difficult to keep as one would wish to, because so much depends on soil and climatic conditions.  However, we have found that a south-facing grave is ideal for rosemary, lavender (we use English, rather than French as it's much hardier) and dwarf conifers.  We haven't used thyme - though I have one that creeps all over my garden; nor heather, as the soil is alkaline.  However, we have pansies, crocuses, snowdrops and hellebores and all do well.  Instead of grass we have green slate chippings that act as a mulch.

  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I must add that we are restricted by the cemetery rules - no planting in the soil is allowed although some do this, but for the guy that has to mow, any random planting must be a hindrance to his work.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited November 2018
    That’s what I meant GD,  you can get away with more in a cemetery than a churchyard, such as colour of stone, but it’s still easier to keep nice and tidy if the flowers are confined to the memorial end only.
    Our job is headstone making, erecting and renovating and I would just like to advise that if you want to place a wreath for Remembrance Day or Christmas, please don’t stand a wire framed one against the stone, the rust will come out of the wire and bleed into the stone, we have yet to find a product to get this rust out. Either use a plastic ring, with the oasis foam in or lay flat on the ground, not on the stone.
    Just  a professional bit of advice, of course you can do want ever you want. 🙂
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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