Low maintenance, all year colour for a grave.

Hi all, I know this may seem a little bit morbid, but here we go.

I am looking to plant various low maintenance plants on my wife's, fathers grave.

I am looking to try and have all year round colour, the problem is I know two things about gardening and that's "nothing" and "sod all". So I have come here for some help and advice from you guy's and gal's.

My questions are:-

What plants would be best suited for each of the seasons.

Which of these are below 12 inches in height. I would like to keep the height below 12 inches so as not to make it too tall for a grave.

Is there anything I might need to do to the soil to prepare it ready for the plants. Would I be better planting them in their own individual compost pots.

any help would be greatly appreciated as this would make it a bit more bearable to visit with more than just bare soil to look down on.

Thanks in advance, more question will no doubt follow.

 

Hello,


I know what it will mean.


I would suggest you look at alpine plants, they tend to stay low and spread, come in a variety of colours and leaf shapes.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll google the plants you have mentioned and get an idea as to what I am looking for.

 

When you're having a google, take a look at Cuphea - small (about 8"), evergreen, tiny pink, mauve or purple flowers (depending on which colour you buy) and slow growing. They'll grow in just about any soil with little or no help from anyone and can be relied upon not to go 'rampant' when your back's turned - and they're silly cheap.

 

Once again thanks. I am going to try and create a spread sheet of the plants mentioned here and also other plants found while searching for the ones you've all mentioned. This, I hope, will give me some idea as to when they flower so that I can try and get something that resembles constant colour throughout the year. Even some of the coloured leaf plants look good.


Once I have a list I will be back for a bit more advice, now back on with my Googling mission.