What Can I Plant in Memory of My Dad?

Sorry for your loss

Well eventually any plant in a pot will have had it's time and will not be a truly lasting memorial.

You do not mention how big your grassed area is but trees grow in grassy areas so could you not cut out a circle and plant a flowering tree, cherry, apple or maybe a magnolia?

I planted a magnolia several years ago salvaged from a garden centre reduced as it was in bad condition. The first two years it thrived but no flowers, then just two or three, this year it has about 3 dozen blooms.

I just water in some magnolia feed as per instructions and I did prune to shape the first 3 years. Be careful though as magnolia do not like hard pruning.

How about a flowering shrub? Camellia flower for a long time and are evergreen. Also lots of roses have names, might find your Dads first name.

I'm really sorry to hear that your dad passed away and am sure you cherish the memories you shared. We take great solace in remembering my Father-in-law. We planted an Acer for him and have moved twice since, taking it with us each time. Unfortunately an Acer doesn't give profuse flowers (being a small tree) but you could consider a Skimmia which is a flowering shrub. You could start it in a pot and transfer it into the ground in a few years? It comes in various colours. Any garden centre should have them.

So sorry to hear this, if you have the spare how about an Apple tree, then it will blossom and then have the apples off your dads tree, or a wee shrub low main fence x

Hi cheekmoo ... I'd say maybe not think about anything single and specific, but maybe some types of plants your dad loved and that will also thrive in your location. The reason being that if you have bought a special plant and it dies ....either through bad weather/old age/disease or simply cos you don't know how best to care for it ... then you'll be so upset. If you were to buy a planter or pot ... making that the 'long term' memory .... then you could have it filled with bulbs/perennials etc and they can be replaced without the heartache. Just had an idea ..... Rosemary is for remembrance and is pretty easy and longlived and also easily replaceable .... but think about your weather conditions. For my mum when she passed away, we bought a lovely low planter in a grey stone and we plant polyanthus (from Lidl) .... or miniature daffs ..... winter pansies, or others of her favourites, depending on the season. .... when dad moved, it was easy to transport for him.

If you don’t have any borders in which to plant, I like BORDERJOE’s idea of buying a nice quality planter that you can change seasonally. I’m sure your Dad would be pleased to see you gardening and tending to plants in his memory.

Simple to grow flowers make lovely displays.

daffodil and tulip bulbs for spring then pansies. There are lots to choose from in the summer and then maybe heather or ornamental cabbages in the autumn?

I'd grow a peony in a large pot. They live for up to 50 years. If you move take it with you.

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/gardens/how-to/a707/how-to-grow-peonies/#:~:text=Peonies%20may%20take%20three%20years,for%20up%20to%2050%20years.

What about forget me nots ?

Evergreen. Or bulbs.