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Choosing the appropriate plants

*NoviceGardener**NoviceGardener* Posts: 4
in Plants
Hi, I am very new to this field and I need help with choosing the appropriate kind of plants for what I intend to do. I have lettering that we had put on Mum's grave after her burial, however, the flowers have worn out and we've decided to replace them with some form of small plants (flowering kind or otherwise) so that it is long lasting and can flourish hopefully next summer or stay in good condition throughout the year. The case depth for each letter is approx 1.5 inches. Any advice on how to go about it or the kind of plants I need to use will be very much appreciated. 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's not something I've ever done, and I'm not sure what you mean about the cases for letters, but I'm assuming they're containers of some kind?
    They would need to have drainage holes, but they'd also need to be plants which will thrive on neglect, as it's difficult to maintain plants in that situation unless you're able to visit every couple of days - especially during summer, to water them. I know how difficult it can be even with plants in the ground, which is what I've done in the past.

    If you have a photo of the 'container' you have, or failing that - if you have the dimensions, that would help people to suggest appropriate ideas.  :)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    1.5 inches is very shallow. The only things I can think of that might be OK with that depth without frequent watering (I'm assuming you intend them to stay at the cemetary) would be sempervivums and similar. They'd need a gritty compost mix (something like 50-50 compost and horticultural grit) as well as drainage holes in the containers as already mentioned.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • *NoviceGardener**NoviceGardener* Posts: 4
    Thank you for your reply. I'll attach a photo to assist with what I am trying to do, as per the photo the flowers and ribbon has been removed and instead of replacing it with artificial flowers, I thought of growing some small plants in its place. The dimension of each letter will vary but the the height/depth of each letter is approximately 1.5 inches deep. I hope this clarifies. 
  • *NoviceGardener**NoviceGardener* Posts: 4
    Thanks Jenny, I will look into that... at least I'm heading somewhere now hopefully 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I thought that's what you meant, but I wasn't sure.
    I'd agree with @JennyJ - the depth for planting is certainly very limiting, and I'd reckon sedums and sempervivums etc are probably the most suitable. If you consider what gets planted on a green roof - that would be the sort of thing that would be ok. They'll cope even if there's a bit of shade. 
    A lot of people find Erigerons manage in very little soil, and with minimal attention, so that might be a possibility. I don't grow those, so can't be sure, but someone else might be able to advise on that. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I think sempervivums are probably the only plant that would survive with so little soil and would fit into such a small space.


    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • *NoviceGardener**NoviceGardener* Posts: 4
    Thank you all so much for pointing me in the right direction, very much appreciated. I will go away and try to achieve this in due course. Many thanks once again :) 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Them's the ones! They could look very good, although different in style to the original arrangement. You can sometimes get them in multipacks from DIY/garden centre type places but I don't know if it's the right time of year.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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