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Low maintainence Plants for a grave

hart.ann1hart.ann1 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi,
We are having a family get together in May - the first time since my mother died last year.  My sister is keen to plant something on the grave which is in an old village churchyard (Worcestershire), possibly some lilies of the valley (ideally would like snowdrops but it will be too late to plant), and wondered if there is anything else we could plant.  None of us live nearby, so would be unlikely to be able to do anything beyond occasional tidy up etc.  Must be quite compact as just a small area in front of the headstone.
Grateful for any suggestions,
A
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Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    You can plant snowdrops in the green now, this is a better way of planting them than as dormant bulbs. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    You could think about native primroses or cowslips for flowering now. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Nothing really is low maintenance enough to leave, the grass will grow and the sexton will probably mow over everything.
    Some daffodils to flower in the Spring would be nice. Perfect time to put some snow drops in. You plant then with the green leaves still on them.

    i would go for lily of the valley, it’s flowering now, just as the grass cutters are about and they like damp soil. 
    Although I don’t like artificial  flowers, and some churchyards don’t allow them, but if they do you could put some tasteful ones in a pot, they don’t need watering then. 
    The ruling in Devon is nothing planted further than 9” from the headstone. 
    Yours may be different, always best check.


    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    ... and some scented violets will naturalise easily as long as it’s not in full sun https://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/Sweet_Violet_Queen_Charlotte/

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited April 2019
    I agree with both WillDB suggestions. Although most plants spread if happy I think I would give the Lily of the Valley a miss, they can get quite invasive if they like the position they are planted in as they spread underground.
    If you are not there to attend them the caretakers might take steps to eradicate them.

    Do you know if there are any rules regarding permanent plantings?
    Is it very managed or a slightly wild or wildlife friendly graveyard?
    You said it is only a small area in front of the stone.
     
    I think the primroses and snowdrops a better bet as they do spread but as clumps you would hope that although any strays outside the designated grave area might be killed off, they would hopefully not touch what is within.
  • BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
    Dwarf daffs (Tete-a-Tete), Grape Hyacinth for the spring, then tulips for follow on, then clear the leaves once flowered and sow wild flower seed mix.  Leave it to its own devices.  Depending on how relaxed the grave yard authorities are, either clear in the autumn when past their best or leave for the birds for winter.  In early spring, clear away and make way for the bulbs you planted previous year.  Repeat.

    Some garden centres are selling bulbs that have been grown in pots, so you could plant those now and get instant flowers and then it saves a job in the autumn for planting new bulbs.  And best thing about wild flower mix is that when they seed they will spread themselves around a bit coming up in all sorts of places.  Whoops. ;)
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    we used a variety of vinca minor plants on Hubby's Mother's grave.
    Devon.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    We've got the same problem so have planted primroses and wild violets from my mum's old garden, plus Tete n Tete and snowdrops. I also have a small terracotta trough for seasonal plants like winter flowering heathers or lobelia over the summer. It is a closed historic churchyard, quite shady because of the yews and willows at the back. We are going up to lay flowers in early May as well. I'm not sure that lily in the valley is a good choice because it is so invasive but you could plant it in a pot perhaps.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    We have a strict rule here that we cannot plant on the grass, only in pots, which restricts our choice.  I tend to go to the GC on the way to the church, find something that will flower in the next few weeks and plant that in a pot to go infront of the headstone. I would buy a lavender, a miniature hebe or other shrub that will flower for a long period, and needs little maintenance or watering. I agree that snowdrops and daffodils are an excellent idea if planting directly into the grass, also primroses or other primula that will take care of themselves too.
  • hart.ann1hart.ann1 Posts: 2
    Thank you for all your suggestions - sorry, I didn't realise the replies went into spam, so just caught up.  I will double check with the church, but think they're relatively relaxed as long as you don't spread.  Going for a few snowdrops (bit late but will take a chance) plus a couple of cowslips/primrose plants.
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