This post, “Memorial Garden” was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
It has been almost two years since my father passed away. He was in fairly good health for a 93 year old until a just few months before his death. He lived a long, happy life, and so while there was sadness at his passing, my family was able to accept it with peace.
Soon after his death in March, I decided to dedicate a section of my garden to him. I chose the side garden because it is very quiet and enclosed. This is the perfect place to be quiet and read or meditate. Because it does not receive a great deal of sun, not many flowering plants do well there. Also, because of the shade, I picked white and green as the colors I would use. White and green are cool, soothing colors, and the white lightens the shade.
One side wall of the garden is a tall stand of bamboo, and the other is the house. The rear wall is a grouping of large forsythia, and in front is a row of azaleas about three feet high. I have four green Adirondack chairs in the center under a small magnolia fiscata tree. By the azaleas, is an area that receives the most sun, and that is the memorial garden for my dad. I have planted three Iceberg roses, Shasta daisies, Easter lilies, paperwhites, and white amaryllises in front of a birdbath. On the outside edges of the bed are containers of Strawberry and Cream grass. In the fall I planted white pansies and violas. In the summer I will put in white pentas. The side with the bamboo has holly ferns, toad lilies and a white lacecap hydrangea. When the summer comes, I will put in green and white caladiums there. This spring the garden will be two years old. During the winter, it is not at its best, but I can tell that come spring, it will be on its way to being the lush, full garden that I envisioned when I started it.
Even on hot summer days, it is nice to go sit in this side garden and relax. I know my dad would have liked it.
Always Growing 
Patricia Louque said,
February 8, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I think your dedication to your father is touching. I too have a moon garden all white that I dedicated to my dad too. I have white daffodils, white snow drops and a white weeping cherry tree in the center. I have to fill in with lots of green too. I also plant moon vine in the summer. Great post.
I know your dad would enjoy your garden. It sounds lovely.
Robin said,
February 8, 2008 at 10:01 pm
This is a lovely way to remember your dad. It looks so quiet and peaceful. I love shade gardens, and miss the one I used to have.
Yes, Robin, it is very peaceful. I do enjoy it so much, and every time I pass the roses, I always say a hello to my dad.
Dave said,
February 9, 2008 at 8:29 am
Memorial gardens are some of the best gardens because they combine something you love (your gardening) with something you love (your loved one). From the pictures and your description it sounds like a very nice tribute. 🙂
Thanks, Dave, for the comments. I appreciate them.
terra4incognita said,
February 15, 2008 at 8:15 pm
What a great tribute to your dad, and a beautiful way to remember him!
Thanks for the lovely comment. It really is encouraging to be noticed by other bloggers.