Choosing the rightplants for the cemeteryfor planting around the graves can be difficult. Especially for people who are not avid gardeners on a daily basis and have no experience in growing plants. However, in the life of each of us, sooner or later, there comes a moment when we have to decorate the grave of a loved one. See how to choose the rightplants for the cemetery- not only seasonalflowers for the cemeterybut also durable, perennial plants and evergreen shrubs.
Buying flowers for the cemetery, which will stand for a few days, is not a problem.
But how to choose permanent, perennial plants for planting at the grave?
Of course, buying a few pots of chrysanthemums just before All Saints Day, which will appear on the grave for several days until they wither or are cut off by frost, is not a problem. These types offlowers for cemeteryare widely available at stands under cemeteries and at churchyard florists. However, the selection of persistent plants that will be a nice composition at different times of the year is much more complicated. And the grave should be taken care of all year round, not only on holidays.
If we are faced with the problem of how to choose the rightplants for the cemetery , it is worth reading this text. In addition to practical considerations, such as the selection of plants appropriate to the habitat conditions in the cemetery, not threatening the rapid growth of tombstones and not requiring too frequent care, we also suggest what the symbolism of each species is and how it can be used to express your feelings towards the buried person in a decorated grave.
Plants for the cemetery for evergreen borders
One of the ways to emphasize the eternity of the deceased person's soul is to use evergreen species in the composition of plants decorating the tombstone. The greenery of these plants does not fade away and they are a green accent at any time of the year, also in winter. Therefore, it has become quite popular to create green fringes and lanes along the tombstone, which allows you to soften the strong, stiff shape of a rectangular tombstone, and often create a miniature fence, separating the area belonging to a given grave.
Asplant in the cemeteryevergreen boxwood is often used to create green fringes. It is a long-lived shrub that grows slowly and is easy to form. The great advantage of boxwood is its suitability for cultivation in quite diverse conditions - the position can be both sunny and slightly shaded. Soil requirements are also low, as long as the soil is not too acidic.Although boxwood feels best in quiet and humid positions, it can withstand short-term droughts.
Green boxwood border surrounding the grave.
Behind the grave is evergreen ivy.
Common periwinkle is also often used to create low borders around the tombstones. Periwinkle is an evergreen shrub that produces many shoots lying on the ground. Small blue flowers will be an additional decoration of such a border from spring to summer. The tradition of using periwinkle in plantings at graves dates back to the Middle Ages, when this plant was considered a symbol of paradise, eternity and immortality.
Conifers for the cemetery
Evergreen rows can also create miniature forms of coniferous shrubs. Conifers can also be a perfect background for otherplants in the cemetery .
Coniferous shrubs with particularly low soil requirements deserve special attention, as they do well on sandy soils and tolerate drought well. Examples of such plants are: mountain pine (mountain pine) and blue spruce 'Glauca Globosa'.
Various forms of evergreen conifers usually work well in a cemetery
Creeping and ground cover shrubs for the cemetery
Creeping shrubs are perfect for many tombstone compositions. These can be both coniferous shrubs, such as the creeping juniper 'Glauca', whose green-blue, flaccid branches can lie on the tombstone, as well as deciduous shrubs, e.g. horizontal cotoneaster, which will be additionally ornamented in the autumn and winter season with tiny bright red fruit.
Evergreen common ivy may also be used as a ground cover plant. Its shoots will not only cover the tombstone but also can climb, for example, on the structure of the cross. Ivy, entwining other plants or sculptures, can symbolize a lasting, faithful memory of the dead. This plant has low light requirements and is perfect for graves shaded by taller trees.
Weeping trees
"The graves of our loved ones are primarily a place of memories, reflection and sadness. This mood is emphasized by the forms of overhanging trees, the so-called crying. Of course, we can only plant dwarf forms that will never grow into large trees. It will look great, min. Weeping willow grafted on a trunk Iwa. This plant, sprinkled with silver cats in spring, will also be a special decoration of the grave during Easter.
"Roses - a classic among plants for the cemetery
Already in the Middle Ages, roses made a stunning career asplants for the cemeteryand for decorating places of remembrance of the dead. The very fact of bringing them from the Holy Land by the Crusaders was a sufficient recommendation at that time. Moreover, in Christian culture many religious meanings are attributed to roses: white roses symbolize the love of the Mother of God for the Son and the resurrection; red roses - the Passion of the Lord; rose thorns - suffering, sin, crown of thorns.Wilting white rose flowers, like no other, will draw our attention to the fragility of life and transience. Small-sized miniature roses will be especially useful for planting among the tombstones
Flowers for the cemetery
Among the shrubs we can plant flowering perennials and annuals in the cemetery. Autumn asters and chrysanthemums have become especially popular, as they bloom in autumn and can decorate graves during All Saints' Day. These are undoubtedly the most popularflowers for the cemeteryMost often we buy potted chrysanthemums that only appear on the grave for a few days. However, if we want chrysanthemums to adorn the grave for many years, it is worth choosing frost-resistant varieties. Most often they will be small-flowered chrysanthemums, grown in the ground. If we buy chrysanthemums in greenhouse pots at the end of October, they should stand on the grave only until the first frost, because they are not prepared to stay outside.Then we winter them in a frost-protected room in order to plant them permanently at the grave in the spring.
It is worth noting here that the great multicolor of the flowers of these plants was obtained thanks to the efforts of breeders, and the plants that we grow from our own cultivation will be much more modest. Originally appearing asters with white or purple color of flowers symbolized in the past care and funeral. Among the asters and chrysanthemums you can find both perennials and annuals.
The heather blooming at this time can also be the autumn decoration of the grave. Usually, pots with heathers, as with chrysanthemums, are set for a few to several days. These plants will not overwinter in the cemetery in a pot, because their roots will freeze. However, if we plant heather in the soil right next to the grave, it will grow there for many years.
Heathers are popular flowers for the cemetery. They can decorate a grave for many years
if we plant them in a deep frost-proof pot or in the ground next to the grave.
Apart from chrysanthemums and heathersornamental cabbage is an increasingly common autumn decoration of gravesThis plant looks interesting and can be a very original addition to the floral arrangement on the grave. Currently, there are many interesting varieties of ornamental cabbage, differing in color and shape of the leaves. That is why you can create an interesting, multi-colored composition from the cabbage itself.
Decorative cabbage next to chrysanthemums
Fig. depositphotos.com
Bulbs, such as calla and lilies, can also be included in compositions for decorating graves. In the Middle Ages, the lily was a symbol of eternal light and forgiveness.
Graves planted with pansies
Fig. pixabay.com
Even earlier, in the times of ancient Greece and Rome, hyacinths, crocuses and narcissi were used in plantings decorating graves. The symbolism of these plants was associated with certain events in mythology (e.g. hyacinths and narcissuses, according to mythology, decorated the underworld of Hades).Today, for us, they are mainly plants that will cheer up the surroundings of the tomb and affect the cheerful mood with the advent of spring.
When talking aboutflowers for the cemeteryit is impossible not to mention garden pansies (they used to symbolize the memory of the dead), violets (symbols of death and penance), forget-me-nots (especially a strong accent of memory, but also because of for the blue color of flowers - they can symbolize an eternal dream), and about dry dogs, also called dog tags.
