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Distinctive Shrub/Plant
Julie Wood
Posts: 25
in Plants
Hi all, my Dad died suddenly and peacefully last week. I am wanting to plant something that will be in bloom at the time of year to remind me of him. I'm an inexperienced gardener and so something easy would be best. I have a south facing, medium size garden. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Julie
0
Posts
I'm sorry to hear of the death of your father. I remember when mine died, not an easy time.
There are various very fragrant plants that flower at this time of year, Lonicera fragrantissima, Daphnes, Sarcococca, Hammamelis (Witch hazel). There are also some winter flowering clematis, but I think a shrub could be more reliable.
Glad it was peaceful for him Julie.
It's a lovely thing to do . It's more difficult to find flowering shrubs for this time of year but Lizzie's given you some great suggestions, and you could also add some early bulbs round the base if you pick a deciduous shrub like the Witch Hazel or Daphne. That will give you extended interest. Crocus and snowdrops are flowering at this time of year. You'll often get snowdrops in GC's and nurseries just now in pots, or in another month or so 'in the green' ( just means with their foliage still on ) and they take more readily than planting them as bulbs in autumn. Crocus will be available end of summer/early autumn and are very easy to plant and look after.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hellebores are in flower in my garden, they could be an alternative. However, don't buy them from Wiseley where they are currently £17.99.
There are some nice crocus and snowdrops around too, and there is also primroses, tete a tete daffodils, pale pink scillas, violets
Iris reticulata
Go down to your local GC and buy whatever you take a fancy too. Obviously shrubs will be a more permanent inclusion to your garden. The most obvious one would be a Witch Hazel, there's hello and hybrid red ones. They have wonderful scent, but there's so many things you could choose, a trip to a few GC's would be good.
What a lovely idea, I have a mahonia in flower at the moment and it's fragrance is amazing.
Viburnam Tinus? or there are some winter flowering Clematis, I think maybe Wisley Cream?
My Dad was mad about motor racing. When he died my mother, sister and I went to the florist to choose some flowers for his funeral, his favourites were red roses. The florist had some beautiful red roses called "Grand Prix".
..for something easy I would plant Forsythia, which is just coming into flower right now, - bright yellow flowers - and underplant with Crocus 'Remembrance'...