Lasting floral tributes to our loved ones
Surrounded by a nursery full of plants, it can be daunting and distressing to try and choose one or a few plants or shrubs to mark a grave or area where ashes are buried. Maximum growth, shape, colour, form, season, flowering, aromatic or perfumed and not least, personal preferences and the wishes of the owners of the burial ground, all need to be taken into account. And then there’s the problem of regular tending and watering where the ground may be dry, possibly shaded or in full sunshine.
We talked to our friend Richard Read, General Manager of Manor Nursery, Runcton, where one of our clubs meets and he’s very kindly come up with some helpful suggestions. Richard has provided us with two lists, one for low maintenance shrubs and the other for perennial plants, all of which are suited to dry, well drained conditions. In view of the anticipated climate change with forecasts of hotter, drier, more Mediterranean type summers, these lists may also be helpful in planting up our gardens.
Perennial Plants
Ajuga
Low growing, blue flowers, prefers shade.
Alyssum Maritimum
White, low growing perennial.
Mesembryanthemum
Bright colours, daisy like flowers, can die out in cold winters.
Lampranthus
Succulent foliage, dry conditions, brightly coloured flowers in summer.
Limonanthes
Yellow poached egg plant. Re-seeds each year.
Erigeron
Spanish daisy with pink/white flowers.
Erica Carnea
Winter flowering heather.
King George - deep pink.
Sempervivum
Succulent, no watering necessary. Pink flowers.
Primula Vulgaris
Natural primrose, yellow in spring.
Shrubs
Lavender Hidcote
Very scented, violet blue flowers. 1 ½ foot.
Genista Lydia
Spreading low yellow broom, scented. 2 foot
Fuchsia
Thom thumb. Red/violet flowers. Maximum height 1 ½ foot. Flowers July – September.
Pieris Little Heath
Variagated evergreen with red leaves in spring.
Spirea Little Princess
Pink flowers in late spring. Height 2 foot.
Euonymous Microphyllus
Variagated evergreen, non flowering
Courtesy Richard Read, Manor Nursery, Pagham Road,
Runcton, Chichester. PO20 6LJ
Telephone 01243 781734
www.manornursery.com