Memorial gardens cover tribute to departed loved ones and fallen heroes. They give grieving friends and families a place to go for closure and reflection whilst acting as healing spaces. Incorporate plants and decorations which reflect the person you are remembering in your memorial garden.
Plan your memorial garden on chart paper. Use a scale of one square equivalent to 1 foot of garden space. Keep the size of the memorial garden little enough for easy upkeep. Center the garden design about a memorial plaque or seating area.
Lay out the memorial garden using stakes and twine so that you know what attributes go into each space. For instance, bet out a rose or flower bulb garden bed in memory of someone who adored roses or had a favorite flower bulb.
Till the flower beds, adding peat moss or other organic compost to aerate the soil. Provide nutrients using a layer of well-rotted manure. Plant the perennial flowers in which you desire, based on the growing demands.
Group the flowers together according to color. Pick colours that pay homage to your loved one. For instance, use patriotic colours for a fallen soldier or crimson for a mother. Plant delicate white flowers for a child’s memorial garden.
Include garden figurines that represent the person you’re honoring. For instance, you may want garden fairies and gnomes for someone who loved nature. An animal lover could be honored with little figurines of rabbits, frogs and squirrels peaking out from under shrubs and plants. You may also put in a solar water fountain or bird bath as part of the turtle.
Provide a bench or alternative seating for those who wish to spend a quiet moment reflecting on the person of honor. Create garden trails to the bench using a thick layer of mulch. Add more mulch around the flowers and plants to keep weeds to a minimum.
Mount a plaque at the entrance of the garden as a tribute to your loved one. This plaque allows all who enter why the garden was made.