i do not know what soil i have i know it is not clay soil , it will be in a sunny position. a bit of shade in the teatime time.when we dig the soil it seems to be loose and not cloggy if that helps.
@dodo no suggestions that haven't already been made, but I hope you're doing OK after losing your dad. I always plant trees in honour of loved ones too, it always brings a certain joy to see them growing, and to remember those people with a smile, and we can plant them at any time for remembrance. 😊
@dodo If you are looking for a plant that is evergreen I think that as already mentioned Photinia would be a good choice unless the soil is very wet and cold in the winter months. The leaves have reddish tones for most of the year, if it gets too big you could lift the crown leaving room to plant underneath. There is a form called 'Little Robin' if you want a smaller plant. You could also purchase a 'lollipop form ' which would be expensive but you could plant underneath with red/orange flowers depending on the season. I have one where I have lifted the crown, in a south facing border, underneath I grow a sea of the orange Papaver Rupifragum which flowers for most of the summer.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@dodo I passed a neighbour's garden this morning and was admiring the little tree in their front garden, when it struck me that it might be suitable for you... they have a 5-foot tall, elegant weeping cotoneaster. It's Cotoneaster hybridus pendulus, which has smallish evergreen leaves, white flowers in early summer (attractive to bees), and long-lasting red berries in autumn and winter. It's still covered with berries now, though I expect the birds will be all over it before long!
If you look again at the original post it states will go by a small driveway fence . That’s why I too recommended cotoneaster , it will grow in most soils and you can trim it to shape or let it grow against the fence . Cotoneaster,every time for me . A very overlooked and useful plant ,not expensive either .
@bcpathome I agree Cotoneaster is very much overlooked. Every garden should have one! So many to choose from and they fill lots of gardening problem areas.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I don't know if the condition would be suitable, but might a nandina fit the bill? Not too big, pretty, evergreen and a bit of an eye-catcher (to my mind).
I'm possibly alone in not being a fan of cotoneaster - I find them dark and lacking in shape - not what I would think of as a 'pretty' memorial plant.
I think cotoneaster very pretty myself . The tiny flowers are a delight and as the original poster states that she is not a gardener as such ,nor were her parents particularly, I still am of the mind that it will fit the bill .
I'm really sorry for your loss. I think a memorial plant is a brilliant idea. If your soil will suit it, try a kind of shrub that will mature into a lovely shape, rather than a tree, if you can only fit in something 6 feet tall. Indeed, if that's your final desired height, then one thing to consider would be a shrub rose. There are loads to choose from. Here's a new variety that is specifically called 'Summer Memories'. https://www.classicroses.co.uk/roses/summer-memories-shrub-rose.html
But also, did your parents have favourite flowers?
All this does depend, as others have said, on the conditions in your garden. It could be that your Magnolias failed because things were too dry or too wet, or just too shady. If you can tell us more, it would help.
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The leaves have reddish tones for most of the year, if it gets too big you could lift the crown leaving room to plant underneath. There is a form called 'Little Robin' if you want a smaller plant. You could also purchase a 'lollipop form ' which would be expensive but you could plant underneath with red/orange flowers depending on the season.
I have one where I have lifted the crown, in a south facing border, underneath I grow a sea of the orange Papaver Rupifragum which flowers for most of the summer.
They are grafted onto a tall stem so don't grow much higher - and you can trim them if you want a regular shape. There are lots of suppliers but this is a link to one - where you can see some pictures:
https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/cotoneaster-hybridus-pendulus-tree-p619
I'm possibly alone in not being a fan of cotoneaster - I find them dark and lacking in shape - not what I would think of as a 'pretty' memorial plant.
https://www.classicroses.co.uk/roses/summer-memories-shrub-rose.html
But also, did your parents have favourite flowers?
All this does depend, as others have said, on the conditions in your garden. It could be that your Magnolias failed because things were too dry or too wet, or just too shady. If you can tell us more, it would help.