Autumn and winter planting of cemeteries, unlike the rest of the year, makes use of plants that are resistant to cold and can tolerate a small amount of light. Graves, regardless of whether it is a large single grave or an urn grave, appear less dreary with the appropriate winter and autumn planting and arouse corresponding emotions in the visitor. Because with the right plants, even a snow-covered cemetery provides the necessary comfort and an attractive decoration.
40 plants for autumn and winter planting for the cemetery
Graves are planted all year round, but winter planting and autumn planting are particularly important in comparison. Because the reason for this are holidays like Christmas and New Year, which require a particularly festive plant decoration that gives the graves, from the urn grave to the single grave, an emotional, thoughtful touch.
In addition, the winter planting in particular provides colorful aspects away from the snow, while the autumn planting fits into the picture of the falling leaves and the shorter days. You have 40 attractive plants for planting the graves in the cemetery at your disposal, with which you can try out and implement numerous decorative ideas.
Grave plants from A-Z
Plants from A - B
Balkan cranesbill
Balkan cranesbill (bot. Geranium macrorrhizum) is a classic, green groundcover for winter cemetery planting. The plant flowers in the summer, while the green foliage catches the snow and acts as a cushion over the winter period. A single grave can be well decorated with the plants as soon as different flower colors are used.
Barberton gerbera 'Garvinea' (bot. Gerbera jamesonii 'Garvinea')
Gerberas are also important plants in the cemetery, coming in a variety of colors and surviving into September. They often represent a change of seasons in the cemetery and are often used for an urn grave. The 'Garvinea' variety is a hardy variety that flowers until late October and can even keep its flowers after that.
Dwarf blue juniper (bot. Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star')
As the name suggests, this juniper is adorned with blue-green to silver-blue needles. A highlight of the winter planting.
Ground cover yew (bot. Taxus baccata repandens)
An extremely shade-tolerant groundcover that shines all year round and is particularly impressive in winter with snow.
Balkan cranesbill, Geranium macrorrhizum
Plants from C - E
Calla (bot. Zantedeschia)
Two types of calla are ideal for winter planting. The classic calla, for example with the 'Crowsborough' variety, is a hardy plant that stands for the immortal soul with its white flowers. It can be kept directly outdoors at temperatures as low as -20°C. The room calla (bot. Zantedeschia aethiopica), on the other hand, lends itself well to closed columbaria, as these cannot withstand temperatures that are too cold. For the urn grave they are a feast for the eyes.
Christmas roses (bot. Helleborus)
Christmas roses are the highlight of winter planting, as they only bloom at Christmas time and give a lot of comfort to the bereaved.
Chrysanthemums (bot. Chrysanthemum)
Of course, chrysanthemums belong on this list. They are known for their colorful display of flowers in fall, making them ideal for graves for fall planting, lasting well into winter even when withered. The 'Bienchen' variety in particular inspires with its robust nature.
fat man (bot. Pachysandra terminalis)
The fat man or the Japanese Ysander is well suited for shady places and forms attractive carpets there. Also heralds spring with small flowers.
Ivy (bot. Hedera helix)
Due to its robust nature, winter hardiness and shade tolerance, ivy can be used well for walls and house walls and even graves.
Ice begonia (bot. Begonia semperflorens-cultorum)
Ice begonias are also known as god's eye and are probably one of the most melancholic plants that adorn the cemetery. The plants are very suitable for planting in tubs in early autumn, as they are still presenting their intensely colored flowers at this time.
Ice Begonia
Planting from F - G
Frohnleiten Elf Flower 'Frohnleiten' (bot. Epimedium perralchicum 'Frohnleiten')
As the only true ground cover among the elfin flowers, this can be integrated into both winter and autumn planting. A foliage perennial par excellence.
Garden pansy (bot. Viola wittrockiana)
Yes, even the garden pansy inspires as an autumn plant. If the seeds are sown in summer, it flowers in numerous colors from October to November. The milder the winter, the longer the flowers that adorn the graves.
Spotted lungwort (bot. Pulmonaria saccharata)
Spotted lungwort is another ground cover that is evergreen and starts flowering as early as March. Very robust despite the thin rhizome.
Columbine (bot. Aquilegia vulgaris)
The six Aquilegia species found in Central Europe are very well suited for autumn planting, including the common columbine in particular. Because it is a symbol of the Trinity and inspires with red-violet, blue or white flowers.
Hazel root (bot. Asarum europaeum)
Also a ground cover that attracts attention with its round leaves and its creeping growth. Is well suited for graves lying in partial shade.
Gold Arborvitae 'Rheingold' (bot. Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold')
One of the most popular trees of life, which adorns numerous graves and is particularly good as a winter plant.
Pansies, Viola
Plants by H - K
Autumn anemone (bot. Anemone hupehensis)
The autumn anemone is hardy compared to the classic anemones because it is a perennial. It is particularly impressive as an autumn plant, with the flowering period extending until the end of October, while the flowers linger well into winter. Although they are then faded, but attractive to look at. Autumn anemones bear witness to the memory of the deceased.
Horned violet (bot.: Viola cornuta)
Horned violet presents paradise and is one of the last summer bloomers, disappearing at the end of September. The numerous colors make it ideal as a plant for an urn grave and other graves such as the individual grave or access to crypts.
Evergreen creeper (bot. Euonymus fortunei)
A highlight of the evergreen creeper are the different leaf colors. Numerous shades of green can be found here, which even have a yellow border and can be used for each individual grave.
Japanese azaleas (bot. Rhododendron obtusum)
With the Japanese azaleas, which are particularly suitable for winter planting because of their evergreen leaves. Especially slow-growing varieties such as 'Königstein', 'Fridoline', 'Maruschka', 'Schneeperle' and 'Petticoat' are suitable for this.
Caucasian dwarf spruce 'Jewel' (bot. Picea orientalis 'Jewel')
A spherical shape with dark green needles and a maximum height of about 80 cm are the highlight of this dwarf spruce. Even in the coldest regions they are very durable.
Small-leaved periwinkle (bot. Vinca minor)
Vinca minor appears at the end of winter and ushers in spring. It is a welcome edging for individual graves that are intended to convey a natural flair. In addition, the small, blue flowers inspire.
Small-leaved periwinkle, Vinca minor
Planting from L - N
Arborvitae 'Golden Tuffet' (bot. Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Tuffet')
This tree of life forms a round, golden-green cushion that shines with an intense hue over the winter. Together with other trees of life, calming accents can be set that influence the overall appearance of the cemetery.
Lily (bot. Lilium)
Unless used as cut flowers, lilies are out for a long time and are even hardy. They are particularly suitable for autumn planting, where they serve as a classic flower of the dead in white. Adorned lily tombs radiate purity and everlasting love.
Marguerite (bot. Leucanthemum)
Marguerites are particularly popular in single graves separating two people in love. The flowers decorate the cemetery as autumn planting until late October and the green often remains in winter and blends in well with the overall picture.
Daffodils (bot. Narcissus)
Like tulips, daffodils are the first plants to open their flowers in March. For this reason, they stand in the Resurrection Cemetery and grace winter plantings once spring is on its way again.
Carnation (bot. Dianthus)
It is white carnations in particular that make good autumn plants, as some of the species bloom into October, including the country carnation (bot. Dianthus caryophyllus). Because they are very frost-resistant and should be kept dry over the winter period.
Marguerite, Leucanthemum
Planting from P - S
Peony (bot. Paeonia)
Peonies inspire with their large flowers, which are only cut back in October or November and can be the star of any autumn planting in the cemetery.
Primroses (bot. Primula):
Primroses are also very suitable for winter planting, as the first specimens bloom in December and January. However, most types of the Marian symbol only withstand temperatures as low as -5 °C, so it is better suited for mild winters or an urn burial in the columbarium.
Marigold 'Winter Wonders' (bot. Calendula 'Winter Wonders')
This variety is a frost-resistant marigold down to -5 °C, which flowers even in winter. Marigolds are considered plants of redemption after death.
Roses (bot. pink):
Although roses do not have any flowers in winter, they still bloom in the cool autumn time and many specimens develop rose hips that can be integrated decoratively into the winter planting. They are even suitable for a single grave and radiate a different meaning depending on the colour.
Foam flower (bot. Tiarella cordifolia)
Foam flowers adorn graves in autumn and winter with their rust-brown to red foliage.
Marigold (bot. Tagetes)
Tagetes is a popular dead flower because of the colors, similar to the marigold. With proper care, it will flower until October, which makes it ideal for autumn planting.
Peony, Paeonia
Planting from T - Z
Tulip (bot. Tulipa)
Few people imagine tulips as grave plants, but the heralds of spring are made for the end of winter. They sprout from March and separate the cool season from the beauty of spring.
Forget-me-not (bot. Myosotis)
Forget-me-nots are the epitome of eternal love and bloom until the end of October. However, the plants are hardy down to -15 °C and elegantly adorn the cemetery with their upper plant parts.
Waldsteinia (bot. Waldsteinia ternata)
This evergreen ground cover is ideal for paths and borders and enchants with the golden yellow flowers at the end of winter.
Dwarf Colorado Fir 'Minima' (bot. Abies concolor 'Minima')
This small fir tree only grows 50 cm high and can actually be planted anywhere in the cemetery, regardless of whether it is an urn grave or a single grave.
Dwarf Cypress 'Nana Gracilis' (bot. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis')
This plant is ideal for permanent winter planting, because the evergreen needles can adorn all graves as a decorative base. A solitary grave, for example, is well supplied with the Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis', as the twisted, shell-shaped branches form attractive cushions.
Dwarf silver cypress 'Baby Blue' (bot. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Baby Blue')
This sapling is a favorite for winter planting. The name lives up to the needles, because they are silver-green to blue-green and a real eye-catcher with soft needles.
Dwarf white spruce (bot. Picea glauca):
The dwarf white spruce is perfect for providing graves with a green, robust winter planting. The decorative shape and low height of up to one meter ensure the charm of the plant.
Forget-me-not, Myosotis
tip: a great advantage of autumn and winter planting is the use of numerous ground covers. These prevent weed growth, resulting in lower running costs.