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Gardening

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Please could you help me find a plant in memory of my mum?

7 replies

Cutandpaste · 08/12/2019 08:08

My lovely mum died last month. My children are too young to go the funeral so we are having a Memorial Day for her today and one of the things I’d like to do is buy a plant for her that we can all talk to and love. The requirements are:

  • we are likely to move house in the next couple of years so needs to be in a pot until then
  • I’m good at looking after plants but something that doesn’t require specialist knowledge or treatment would be good
  • Her birthday was in April and she died in November. I imagine it would be hard to find a plant that flowered in those two months! Maybe April would be better as it will be nicer to remember her birthday rather than when she died
  • She loved bright colours

I’d also like to give one of those plants to my dad, he loves pottering about in the garden. He really loves roses but I’m not a big fan. Happy to be persuaded otherwise though, I just don’t really know anything about them or how to look after them. I’ve just realised that I have never once heard my mum talk about flowers or gardening - it was totally me and my dad’s hobby! I think it would really make her laugh knowing I was planning this. She did love being outside in the sun though, just sitting in the garden (definitely not gardening!) or having long walks in the park.

There is so much knowledge on this board and I would really appreciate your suggestions. Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
Roussette · 08/12/2019 08:37

I am sorry to hear about your loss, and what a lovely idea.

What about a hydrangea? They can stay in a pot outside for quite a few years. And you can cut the odd stem and add it to a bunch bought from a supermarket, and display indoors. Even when the colour fades in a vase, it is so pretty as a dried flower. It might be nice for your Dad too, and not a rose.Grin

I hope you find something you like Flowers

CatintheFireplace · 08/12/2019 08:46

How about a miniature cherry tree that will blossom in April? There are some with beautiful autumn leaf colour as well.

Lots of options here if you want to have a look:

www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/prunus-kursar-tree-p209

SexNamesRFab · 08/12/2019 09:16

I'd go for a camellia that flowered around April. Did your mum have a favourite colour, shade she liked to wear, or even a favourite lipstick? Let me know and I'll go on a plant hunt for you!

Cutandpaste · 08/12/2019 10:14

All those suggestions are perfect. I’ve just realised the problem will be choosing just one plant!

My neighbours had hydrangeas when I was a child so always remind me of my childhood. For some reason I’ve never thought to plant them myself. I’m also obsessed with the cherry blossom season in Japan, would love to go.

And sexnames, camellia is perfect for my dad. He seems to like quite ‘formal’, tidy plants, if you know what I mean?!

She just liked anything bright and colourful - reds, pinks, blues. I’m not so keen on red myself but she wore a dusky pink dress to my wedding.

Thank you all so much. I’m having a bit of weepy day today and really missing her.

OP posts:
ChateauMyself · 08/12/2019 10:24

In addition, how about a second plant - Christmas box.

Several different types (sizes). Shrubby, neat plant - looks a bit like box. Can keep in a planter.

Has tiny white flowers jan - Feb. Amazing smell. Such an unobtrusive plant that shines when everything else in the garden is bare.

AlwaysOnAbloodyDiet · 08/12/2019 10:45

Yes, I think a Camellia would be perfect. There are reds and pinks, and there is also an autumn flowering camellia - mine was still going strong in November. So, yes you can have a Camellia in bloom in both April & November, for your mum.

I also love Lilacs and magnolias around April time, but I'm not sure if they're suitable for pots, as they're quite large.

Re roses, have a look at David Austin roses. I love the roses, the delicate detail in the petals, the colours, the names and the meaning behind each rose.
Maybe one might remind you of your mum.
I'm in Ireland so I hope the link will redirect you to the UK site.

Flowers for you x
www.davidaustinroses.com/eu/specific-situations/pots-containers

MereDintofPandiculation · 08/12/2019 15:34

The other possibility is to find a plant variety with the same name as your mother.

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