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Plant suggestions please for woodland burial site in Surrey
curtin196751CH6qRNug
Posts: 4
in Plants
Hello all. I wonder if you can help me. Apologies for long post - My son died in January 2019 & loved his nature. A tree was planted for him and when the grave had settled down we scattered a few thousand woodland flower seeds and planted some bulbs. This was late spring last year. Nothing has come up at all. Whilst it will eventually be a woodland, the area where he is has little shade and obviously regular watering will be a problem. I had hoped for flowers for all seasons, self seeding where possible. Any ideas?
Additionally, My Father sadly passed in March this year & due to Covid restrictions did not have a funeral (direct cremation - nobody present). We are finally arranging to get together in September for what would have been my son's birthday & would like to find a suitable plant in memory of my Father, that would cope with the conditions and be appropriate for the woodland that the area will become.
I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions, thank you.
Additionally, My Father sadly passed in March this year & due to Covid restrictions did not have a funeral (direct cremation - nobody present). We are finally arranging to get together in September for what would have been my son's birthday & would like to find a suitable plant in memory of my Father, that would cope with the conditions and be appropriate for the woodland that the area will become.
I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions, thank you.
0
Posts
they may have removed them.
this is the general rule,
”quote”
We reserve the right to remove any plants not listed in our information sheet as we must avoid hybridisation resulting from cross-pollination. This is important to protect wildflowers in our woodland burial ground and in surrounding land of adjacent landowners.
As Lyn says, I also understood that nothing is usually planted in natural burial sites, so don't know whether your particular site has a list of permitted plants?
Thank you again for your replies.
Snake bark Acer [Not a native tree but there are some lovely native ones to choose from} Lonicera fragrantissima, Crabapple Sentinel, the birds do not take the fruit of this one but the native crabapple is lovely and a good supply of food for the birds or a beech tree for its autumn colouring.
@cathy.john63156 - a difficult time for you. I'd agree with @Loxley - many bulbs will work well, and you could even try other perennials if there's enough moisture getting through the tree canopies. Hardy geraniums are always a 'go to' plant for that kind of site, and many are fine in lots of shade. Epimediums would possibly work too. We have crocus and snowdrops at a grave, but it's open enough to allow plenty of moisture through.
Not so easy if the site has lots of evergreens though, but it would also depend on how good the soil is, and whether it's moisture retentive enough. Many ferns will be ok, but you'd possibly need to pick ones which are ok with drier soil conditions
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Elders exist in that mid layer group along with hazels, hawthorns and birches where they grow, filling the space and supporting wildlife until the bigger trees come up, and they play a vital part in woodland ecology.