A well-kept grave is part of grieving. So it is a place of retreat and rest for the bereaved, but at the same time honors the deceased. Therefore, the grave planting should also look well-groomed all year round. Those who do not have much time for care can fall back on year-round grave planting that does not require much care. There are many easy-care plants that can be used to decorate a grave.

Year-round grave planting

As a rule, a tomb is not visited every day to take care of it. Because usually there is simply not enough time for this. But it is important that a grave has a decorative look all year round, because the deceased is honored here and the bereaved need an attractive place for their mourning. It is usually quite shady in a cemetery, since many trees keep out the piercing sun, so that the graves are mostly in the shade. This should definitely be considered when planting. However, there are some low-maintenance plants for year-round grave planting, which have been listed according to the following criteria:

  • ground cover
  • shrubs and tall stems
  • onion plants
  • Hardy summer and fall flowering perennials

notice: Perhaps you should also look to the sides at the other tombs. Because it is often the case that a reasonably uniform planting is desired in a cemetery. Therefore, not all plants may be desirable. If you are unsure, contact the administration or the responsible gardener.

ground cover

Ground covers are a good option for low-maintenance and year-round grave planting. Here, when purchasing, you should pay attention to evergreen plants that bloom over the warm months. So the grave doesn't look too dreary even in winter and in summer colorful flowers appear on the green carpet. Ground covers that do well in the shade and produce beautiful blooms include the following:

from B - E

groundcover rose

  • belongs to the small shrub roses
  • widespread spread
  • frost hardy
  • blooms permanently
  • from May to September
  • Flowers of different colors
  • prefers well drained and loose soil
  • many nutrients required
  • regular fertilization
  • if too high must be cut

fat man (Pachysandra terminalis)

  • The boxwood family (Buxaceae)
  • native to Japan and China
  • flower color white
  • Flowering from April to May
  • loamy-sandy, humic and nutrient-rich soil
  • hardy
  • grows flat
  • forms carpet
  • water regularly, moderately
  • sensitive to lime

Ivy (Hedera helix)

  • Native to Asia and Europe
  • clinging roots to climb
  • well suited as a ground cover
  • only cultivate in the shade
  • evergreen
  • old plants form globular yellow umbels
  • then black fruit in winter
  • good bird food
  • moist and well-drained soil
  • outdoors does not need to be fertilized

Elf Flower (Epimedium)

  • Barberry family (Berberidaceae)
  • also known as socket flowers
  • Native to North Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean
  • also good ground cover with a height of 30 centimeters
  • has semi-shrub character
  • evergreen and winter bare varieties available
  • Soil always slightly dry
  • Soil poor in humus, few nutrients
  • filigree stems with small flowers
  • blooms before new shoots appear in spring
elf flower

by K - W

Lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor)

  • Dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
  • distributed from Europe to western Asia
  • toxic in all parts
  • Flowering between April and May
  • Color white and blue-violet
  • loose and nutrient-rich soil
  • prefers cool and damp places
  • shiny, dark green leaves
  • hardy
  • Cut is not required

creeping spindle (Euonymus fortunei)

  • Spindle family (Celastraceae)
  • also known as climbing spindle
  • original homeland China
  • Flowering time in June and July
  • Flower color white to green
  • hardy
  • evergreen
  • sturdy and very durable
  • moist and dry soil is tolerated
  • Soil humus and rich in nutrients

Chickweed (Stellaria)

  • Carnation family (Caryophyllaceae)
  • belongs to the spring bloomers
  • wild growth at forest edges
  • sheltered location
  • Soil low in lime, humic and loamy-sandy
  • alkaline to acidic pH values
  • develops petals in white
  • Continuous carpet of flowers from spring to summer
  • water regularly during dry periods
  • hardy

Medlar (Cotoneaster radicans)

  • based in China
  • also known as creeping medlar
  • evergreen
  • easy-care
  • Prevent spread by cutting
  • Flowering from May to June
  • Flowers white and small
  • produces red berries that are not suitable for consumption in autumn
  • Soil humus and rich in nutrients
  • natural rain is sufficient

Waldsteinia (Waldstenia ternata)

  • also known as goldberry
  • shady location only little flowering
  • Flowers in yellow in April and May
  • Water must be lime-free
  • Always keep soil moist
  • fertilize moderately
  • Mix compost with horn shavings
  • hardy
  • brownish-red autumn and winter colour
  • when new growth occurs in spring, old leaves are shed
Golden strawberry, Waldsteinia, Waldsteinia ternata

shrubs and tall stems

Small, evergreen, year-round shrubs that can also be raised into a tall stem are suitable as a small grave border, as a plant behind the gravestone or as a small solitaire in the middle of the grave. These include the following low-maintenance plants:

from B - L

Boxwood (Buxus)

  • The boxwood family (Buxaceae)
  • Distribution from Central Europe across Africa to East Asia
  • undemanding tree/shrub
  • location sheltered from midday sun
  • tolerates prolonged drought
  • can be cultivated as a standard and shrub
  • Can be cut into many different shapes
  • calcareous, loamy soil
  • Beware of box tree moths

Japanese tree pine (Pinus densiflora)

  • originally from Japan
  • different types available
  • evergreen needles
  • grow up to twelve inches long
  • round, compact crown
  • Location sunny to semi-shady
  • sandy and well-drained soil
  • Cut is not necessary
  • hardy
  • slow growth

Tree of Life (Thuja)

  • Cypress family (Cupressaceae)
  • originally native to North America and East Asia
  • not only usable as a hedge
  • evergreen grave planting
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • always slightly moist soil
  • Drought in summer is not tolerated
  • calcareous, sandy loamy soil preferred
  • regular pruning required
  • can be cut to shape
  • frost hardy

from M - Z

Shell cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

  • originally native to Japan
  • multi-stemmed cypress plant
  • very slow growth
  • not higher than 2.50 meters even in old age
  • crown shaped to the ground in the shape of a shell
  • Shady location ideal
  • well-drained, moist, humus-rich soil
  • acidic soil, like that of rhododendrons, is ideal
  • absolutely lime incompatible
  • hardy

Red honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum)

  • Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae)
  • native to Europe and Asia
  • calcareous soil preferred
  • nutritious and permeable
  • bright red berries from September
  • deciduous shrub
  • hardy
  • fragrant yellow to white flowers
  • Flowering time between May and June
  • tolerates any location

Cotoneaster

  • originally from Asia, Africa and Europe
  • belongs to the pome fruit family (Pyrinae)
  • from the rose family (Rosaceae)
  • grows in width
  • dense foliage with glossy, dark green leaves
  • evergreen
  • hardy
  • Flowers in May and June
  • Autumn yellow or red fruits
  • calcareous soil is tolerated

tip: If you decide to plant your grave year-round, you can also use plants that reflect life for reasons of mourning and sentimentality. And plants that the deceased was particularly fond of should also play a role in the planting.

onion plants

So that a little color appears on the burial site with the first warmth, early-flowering bulbous plants are ideal for getting a place in a corner or between the ground covers. Here, right after the winter, they carefully stretch their wonderfully colored blossoms into the air. Suitable bulb plants include the following:

Crocus (Crocus)

  • Iris family (Iridaceae)
  • mistakenly assigned to bulbous plants
  • about 90 species
  • come mainly from Turkey and Greece
  • some species also bloom in autumn
  • depending on the species five to fifteen centimeters high
  • many different colors
  • Tubers remain in soil and multiply
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • sandy, rocky and loamy soil

Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)

  • also called daffodil
  • Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
  • based in Western Europe
  • between 40 and 60 centimeters high
  • multiplies quickly
  • one flower per stem
  • Flowering time between March and April
  • light shade is ideal
  • fresh, moist, nutrient-rich soil
  • Onions can be left in the ground

Tulip (Tulipa)

  • Liliaceae family
  • numerous species
  • intolerant of summer drought
  • this shortens the growing season
  • Soil well drained
  • Onions begin to rot in permanently moist soil
  • always plant in groups
  • cut off faded flowers
  • Leave the leaves and stems to dry
  • Onions can be left in the ground

tip: If you place the bulbous plants between the ground covers, then you should make sure there are small gaps here, through which the spring flowering bulbs can grow out right after winter. Because year-round ground covers often form a closed cover, which prevents weeds from forming, but also prevents the early bulbous plants from stretching their green tips in the air.

perennials

Hardy perennials can be selected so that they bloom a little in summer and into autumn, which will bring color to the grave planting later in the year. In autumn, before the first onset of winter, the plants are cut back close to the ground and then sprout again from the first warm temperatures. Hardy perennials that also do well in the shade include the following:

from C - E

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum)

  • daisy family (Asteraceae)
  • originally native to East Asia
  • 5,000 different varieties
  • also winter asters
  • flowering in autumn
  • many different colors
  • Prune perennials after flowering
  • sprout again in spring
  • choose a hardy variety

monkshood (aconite)

  • Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
  • originally from Asia
  • about 300 different species
  • bright blue or yellow flowers
  • perched on erect panicles
  • Flowering time from spring to autumn, depending on the species
  • moist, nutrient-rich soil
  • semi-shady location under trees
  • toxic in all parts
Monkshood, Aconitum napellus

from F - H

Foxglove (digitalis)

  • Plantain family (Plantaginaceae)
  • red foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) native to local latitudes
  • also foxweed or cinquefoil
  • Name of flower reminiscent of foxglove
  • propagates itself by seeds
  • hardy
  • biennial
  • poisonous in all parts
  • slightly moist, humus-rich, nutrient-rich and lime-poor soil
  • no direct midday sun

Funkie (Hosta)

  • Asparagus family (Asparagaceae)
  • originally from China, Korea and Japan
  • also sweetheart lilies
  • humic, evenly moist soil
  • hardy grave planting
  • large decorative leaves
  • golden yellow autumn colour
  • easy-care grave cover
  • lilac or white pendulous bell-shaped flowers
  • hardy

Autumn Anemone (Anemone)

  • Buttercup (Ranunculacea)
  • originally from China and Japan
  • easy to care for and robust
  • hardy
  • Flowers from July until well into October
  • single to double flowers in different colors
  • Location light shade
  • humic and nutrient-rich soil
  • always keep moist in summer
  • do not tolerate drought

notice: Please note, however, that even if the plants presented for grave planting require little care overall, they still need to be fertilized from time to time. In addition, even if the grave is in the shade, it should be watered regularly in very hot and dry summers. However, perennial ground covers retain moisture in the soil longer.

Category:

Garden design