I love your idea, Natalie. I planted 'Jenny' Narcissus in honor of my mother. :)

A very beautiful sentiment Natalie. LOL about the eggplant.

Edna

I just 'discovered' this Forum and it's nice to know that someone else does the same as me. I have planted Muscari in memory of my broher-in-law Lew; I have a whole garden dedicated to my nephew Andrew, who died in a car-accident at 24 (pink & white bleeding hearts, Hostas & small spring bulbs); there is a stand of Thalia daffodils in memory of my father who died in 2003, and I just planted Chromocolour daffodils in memory of my brother John who died in January this year. I like to plant bulbs because they come back year after year and keep the memories alive.

What a nice idea, natalie (and others). I guess I sort of plant in honour of others, but I never really thought of it that way.

I started collecting heritage plants (flowers, veggies and herbs) years ago and eventually made a business out of it, but the best part was all the people who dropped in to give me seeds or plants and share THEIR family stories with me. I have so many plants that bring together the collective memories of my community and beyond. Some were even sent to me in the mail!

My grandmother really inspired my love of gardening and gave me my first seeds when I lived with her my first year of college. Her younger grandchildren called her "Poppy", but she gave me calendula seeds from her garden. I still have them almost 20 years later and share them with all who want them.

She passed away 8 years ago, only six months after my grandfather, and while there for the funeral during early April, I dug up a tiny maple seedling that had just germinated. It came from the big maple on her front lawn. Today my seedling is over 30 feet tall and becoming a beautiful tree. Every time I look out my window I think of her.

I also planted a "Little Missy" daylily this year just because one of my sister's names is Missy. She didn't think it was very funny........... ;)

I love posts like this because I truly believe that gardeners are among the most compassionate, caring people in the world.

When I was pregnant with our second child, my dh gave me 2 oak trees for Mother's Day. That may seem like a strange present to some people, but I know that all of you understand what a perfect gift that is. He was born 3 weeks later, so I have been able to watch both my son, and his trees, grow and mature over the years.

We also plant memorials to loved ones. My mil passed away this spring only 6 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. I planted some daylilies on the day we heard of her death. I don't know if it was the right time of year to plant bulbs, I just felt compelled to do it. It was comforting. Guess what...they are up about 4 inches!

I also treasure the seeds, and plant starts, I have received from my cottage garden friends and my fellow local gardeners. They mean the world to me.

Just about everything I have has a special meaning to me. My garden may be small and humble, but it has such a special place in my heart.

Marilyn

For a little different twist, I was able to get a fern leaf peony and some phlox from the yard of my aunt after her death and then when my Father in law died we collected iris, daylilies and another fern leaf peony that had been grown by DH's mom. Recently my mom mentioned that the bachelor that lives in my grandparents old house would probably be more than willing to let me dig up some of my gramma's peonies. When these plants bloom it is a sweet way to remember these special people. I also have a clematis and a phlox that are both named 'Laura' which I bought because thats my DD name. I see there is now a daylily named 'Jeremy' I may have to look for that too ;o)

What a nice thread.

I nearly died laughing at the eggplant story!

I have a memorial garden for my black lab "Friend" who passed in February. I planted several yellow rose bushes in his honor since yellow roses are for Friendship. when they bloom I think of him and it gives me the push to take extra special care of them since they are for him.

I also have a rose by the name of Colleen Mary- whichis my twin sister's name. She bought it and doenst have a good spot for it and decided I shuodl save it's life. I jsut got it a few weeksago and it's miserable- so I am hoping to help it. haha

I got married in my yard and gardens too..When my sister threw me my bridal shower a month before the wedding, she asked peopel to do a "wishing garden" instead of a wishing well. I already ahd all the household stuff I needed. So she asked peopel to buy perennials to decorate my landscape and rmember them by for years to come. I have so many plants now that remind me of the person who gave them to me for my bridal shower. it always amazes me.

A neighbor gave me a red fancy leafed japanese maple for my wedding gift too. You know the small ones that are way expensive..!? liek $200 for a tree not even 2 feet high. haha. The kind that will et wider but nly reach maybe 5 feet after decades.. you know the kind! I have a special place for that and we always comment how special it is and how we'll alwasy remember the wedding because we have the tree planted. it is doign very well and growing and just gorgeous.

these special plants mean so much to me too!

I do some of this too! Natalie, your stories are sweet.
Michelle, how awesome you could get plants from their gardens!
In addition to garden plants, I have houseplants: the philodendron my mil gave me when I moved into this house 28 years ago, the creeping charlie given by the hospital in a 2 inch pot when my second son was born 25 years ago, and two plants, don't remember names, that my dh's work gave him when first his sister, 22 yrs ago, then his brother, 12 yrs ago, died. Isn't it amazing they lived so long? I also now have some plants from dh's aunt who moved into full care last year.

This thread has made me smile (eggplant story LOL), and wipe tears away as I read it. I began gardening in 1991 after my sixteen year old son died just so I could have flowers to take to the cemetery. It became my therapy and still keeps me moving forward.

Pat, your story really touched my heart. I read your member page and you have a wonderful testimony.

Michelle

Y'all are the nicest people.

MeMo

I love the idea of "Wishing Garden" for the gifts. Garden gifts are always on top my list.

My prayers and thoughts of comfort to all of you who lost your loved oned: parents, siblings, children, friends. May the memories of them bloom and shine in your gardens, and may you feel their love and energy every time you look at or water your plants.

~Natalie~

I realized this year that when I tend my garden I "talk" to people I have lost.I often work out lots of lifes everyday stress weeding and "talking" to my mom who past on several years ago.I never thought of planting an area just for her.I absolutly love the idea.I am going to plan several planting for several people,Thank you ! It will add even more to my love of the soil.Of course my mom's not much of a gardener .I asked her to keep the jb bugs off my roses this year she didn't do a very good job!!

I'm glad that someone was honoring a pet here, too. My kitty "Tito" (short for gatito, or little cat) passed away a number of years ago, and I've created a planting area over him with lillies, sapponaria and mint. It's next to the spot where we would get scratchies in the morning.

I've also got a rosemary cutting from a dear friend who passed away, as well as a hand made sundial in my front yard to honor him.

All of your stories warmed my heart.

What a nice thread. Thanks,

-S

When my dad passed away in May, some friends gave me an 'Easy Going' rose bush with the most beautiful yellow blooms. I liked it so well, I got its parent, 'Livin Easy' which is orange, in honor of my mother, and planted them side by side in my new flowerbed.

We've also started a "pet memorial" and planted a bur oak for our old black lab Smokey who we lost this summer, and a live oak for Harry, the black cat who disappeared, and a red maple for Angel, the grey cat who died at 19 yrs. I'm going to get little plaques made with their names to hang on each tree.

Texas Carol