I've never planted a flower in my life and........

stephann1978

17 years ago

I need a whole lot of advice. First allow me to introduce myself. My name is Stephanie. I'm 28 and had lived in TX my whole life. I have a wonderful son(Trey,5) and a wonderful husband(Mark,38). We recently had to have our very beloved friend Jackson put to sleep, Easter Sunday as a matter of fact. Anyway, he was been part of the family for 10 years so it was very hard for us to do. We burried him here at home but just puting a marker there isn't enough for me. What I am wanting to do is plant a beautiful flower garden above him but since I don't know the first thing about flowers or gardening I don't know where to start.

We live just NW of Houston and you all know how our weather can be. The spot that we burried him in only gets direct sunlight for about 3-4 hours a day so I don't know what effect that will have on flowers being there. I really want to go with mostly white flowers with some Easter Lillies to symbolize his passing. He was a Golden Retriever but his color was white, the reason for wanting white flowers, with a few colored flowers scattered in.

My husband took our dogs passing very hard so I want to make the garden a special place for him to be able to remember our very dear friend for many years to come. I really need as much advice as you all are willing to give. Thank you for taking the time to read all this and thank you in advance for all your help and insight.

Oh BTW, I would like to get this done in the next couple of weeks, before it gets too hot.

Thanks Again,

Stephanie

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Comments (11)

lindseyrose
17 years ago
Stephanie, I'm sorry for the loss of your dog Jackson. I'm sure that has been hard for you all. I think planting a garden as a memorial is a beautiful idea. I am a novice gardener so I don't know whether I can offer you much advice, but I will try. I think Easter Lilies would be beautiful but I don't know if you can put them in the ground here for perennial use (meaning so they will come back again and again each year). I'm sure some wise gardeners here will be able to help with that. The plants that are coming to mind for me (white begonia, white petunia, white vinca) are all annuals and would have to be replanted each year. (Well, in my personal experince the vinca can re-seed and grow back next year but it's not always reliable). There are white lantana, pentas (I think these might be one of my top choices), plumbago. You could also consider azaleas, gardenias, or roses (which are woody shrubs and would grow larger year by year, rather than having to be replaced). These would require more specialized care, but don't be too afraid of roses. There is a rose out there for everybody.

All of these white plants I've come up with off the top of my head, but I don't know how well any would do in partial shade. What type of exposure does the area get? Northern?

Sorry I'm not helping much yet but I have faith that you will get lots of answers and compassion here.

Best wishes!
roopooroo
17 years ago
Easter lilies will come back every year in the D/FW area, so unless they need a colder winter than Houston can give they should be perennials there, too. The only thing is they have a very short blooming season. Also, the ones that were here when I bought my house were all planted in full sun areas.

I'm wondering if one of the white encore azaleas would work? I have one in bright shade and another in partial sun, and they bloom spring to fall. Of course, they are bushy plants so I don't know if that's what you're looking for.
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natvtxn
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There is an Antique Rose Emporium in Brenheim. Perhaps a nursery near you will have this pretty rose. Or you can order online. This is a repeat bloomer
Antique roses are very easy to grow. Just keep them well watered the first year. After that they survive on rain.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kronprincessin Viktoria
natvtxn
17 years ago
oops forgot. Go to a nursery near you and explain what you plan. I bet they will have lots of ideas.
mikeandbarb
17 years ago
Hi Stephanie, I feel your pain losing a beloved pet is like losing a member of the family.
You stated that you only get direct sunlight for about 3-4 hours a day, what time of day does this area get sunlight? This will be the challenge to what you can plant because any sun loving plant needs at least 5 to 6 hours of sun. If this area gets midday sun would make it even more of a challenge.
Being that your new to gardening I would say to go with native plants and easy to grow plant. Another factor is do you know what type of soil you have, loam, hard clay, red clay?
Is this area an open area with nothing around it? If you can post a picture it would help to give others better ideas as to what would work for planting.
If you wish to do a vine there are easy to grow vines with white flowers. For vines you could have a Pergola or trellis with seating.
P.S. Don't be in a hurry to get it done, take the time to think what you really want done to the area and you'll be much happier with the end results.
sowngrow (8a)
17 years ago
Stephanie-I understand your pain. We lost our yellow Lab, Chance, last year. He was 12 1/2 years old. I like your idea of a flowering memorial site. Several years ago, my husband built a shade arbor over Chance's dog house and I planted New Dawn rose on each side. I think now that his dog house is no longer there, but he is buried there, I'll plant inside the arbor. It's a shady spot which I have very few of and unaccustom to planting-so I'll be looking into ideas also.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1347469}}
suzieq77
17 years ago
I am so sorry for the loss of your baby; it gets easier, but you will still cry.
We are going through the same thing and am in the process of planting a white dogwood to honor our dog, Kodi who dies last week. It seems most everything in our yard is a tribute to something.

Besides the name connection, the dogwood is an easy tree that stays small and doesn't like too much sun. You could plant white Easter lillies underneath, which should be half off at most big box stores.

Good luck and my thoughts are with you and your husband
trsinc
17 years ago
Dogwood is a beautiful idea! A few other suggestions would be Magnolia, Gardenia, white Hydrangea, Night blooming Jasmine, Lily of the Valley. All of these have a scent. Don't know if you like that. I assume you have acidic soil and lots of rain?
MrsBox77
17 years ago
White begonias should do ok.....and carpet of snow. The jasmines are a great idea too...some bloom early, some are blooming now, and the confederates bloom the longest..don't know if they come in white tho. I think Gardenias need quite a bit of sun. In the fall, try to find the white pansies with the purple center...they are beautiful. Mine are still blooming from Thanksgiving.

I live between Spring and Tomball...and my next door neighbor has an Easter Lilly come up every year...and in an area that only gets part sun. It has been there since the original owners, 30 years ago. Even the foundation repair workers could not kill it. It came right on up this year...it is there now.

So sorry about your Jackson, Stephanie. It is hard to let them go. Our Irish Setter is on her last years...it will be sad to not have her following us around. We have had to say goodbye to three of our dogs. It is never easy.
tshcd
17 years ago
Knockout Roses can take partial shade. There isn't a pure white variety available (yet?), but if you click on this link and scroll all the way down, you'll see a white one with yellow centers.

Here is a link that might be useful: Knockout Roses
sagran2
17 years ago
Hi Stephanie,
I am so very sorry for your loss and I feel the pain you and your family are going through. I have been there before with a special feline friend that I had for 13 years and it is painful. Currently, I have been blessed with a very special, extraordinary canine family member that I love beyond words. I have had him for 5 years now and he is my best friend and brings me enormous joy. The thought of his passing makes my heart hurt and brings tears to my eyes. I am certain the reality will be completely devastating. Your story made my eyes water. Again, heartfelt sympathy for your loss.

The memorial is a wonderful idea...for many reasons !!! I do agree with Barb...don't be in too much of a hurry to get it done NOW. I am also somewhat of a novice, which is how I came across this forum yesterday. RESEARCH is the key to success !!! There are so many factors involved and if you don't do the "homework" chances are good that many of your efforts, not to mention the cost will be in vain. There is alot of information to be had here and I am sure you will get some valuable advice and suggestions. In addition, check the web. Just search for EXACTLY what you are looking for and presto, there it will be...eventually. Ha-Ha!!! A suggestion for you that I found extremely helpful, check out the Texas Cooperative Extension (through A&M) for your area. I can't send you a link, because mine is for Bexar county. There I found everything I wanted to know and then some (finally). Size, color, planting instructions, pests and disease, drought and freeze tolerance, growth habits and pictures too !!! I printed out a page that gave me 30 choices(customized) of flower with all of the pertinent info. included...PRICELESS !!!

A few years ago I planted a LOVELY garden in my front courtyard. LONG story short, a lot of thought went into this masterpiece of mine. Trouble was that I was going for the VISUAL. Let me just say that it wasn't nearly enough and the longevity wasn't there and yes, I did use all perrenials !!! So that this loving tribute will last for years to come....do your homework. It will take some time, so be patient. It is spring,I am in a beautiful new home(blank canvas)I want to plant NOW. I learned my lesson the hard way, so now, I am INDOORS doing my homework !!!! Your motivation for your garden is much more important than just wanting to see the pretty flowers, so take your time. That in itself can be a form of tribute too, not to mention therapeutic!!!! Good luck and give updates !!!

I've never planted a flower in my life and........

Comments (11)

lindseyrose

roopooroo

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