5 Ideas for Creating a Small Space Memorial Garden

Honor fallen loved ones this Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day marks the time to honor and reflect on the memories of fallen loved ones. If you are looking for an ideal place to create a beautiful space of solitude and peace for remembering them, try planting a small garden.

You do not need much space to start creating a memorial space. Keeping things simple can often be the best choice. Here are a few ideas for how to create a memorial garden in a small space:

1. Designing A Small Garden

A memorial garden does not need to be filled with tons of plants and take up a large part of your landscape. The less involved, the better.

Before you begin planting, note the current growing conditions in that area. The last thing you want to do is choose plants that will not thrive there. Once you are knowledgeable about the amount of light and water retention the area has, do a little bit of research (or ask our experts in-store) about plant options. From there, you can then choose the look of the garden you are going for. You can layer your garden with different seasons of interest, design around a theme, choose evergreens that shine all year long, or choose plants at random. The options are endless for creating a garden with minimal space.

One idea for picking plants is to choose ones that remind you of your fallen loved one(s). You can do a red, white, and blue combination or just pick a few of their favorite plants. Choosing trees, shrubs, and perennials (as opposed to annuals) for your memorial garden allows them to return year after year.

Next, adding a few statues to your garden can make a massive difference. Soldiers, angels, and eagles all make great representatives of loved ones and their protection over the garden that you have planted in memory of them.

Another personal touch that you can add to your garden is a bench or marker. A small concrete garden bench and stepping stones with meaningful sayings can provoke deep thoughts and allow you a place of rest in your garden.

2. Plant A Specimen

Planting a single specimen goes a long way. Trees, like Japanese Maples, make a statement that will last for years to come and do not take up much space in a landscape.

Planting a specimen requires less work than an entire garden to maintain, and does not require replanting every year.

The quiet beauty of a specimen makes a memorial garden all on its own. Consider adding a bench underneath it to sit on and enjoy your ornamental plant.

3. Plant A Container Garden

Consider planting the smallest garden, a container garden. You can place them virtually anywhere and they require less maintenance than a traditional garden.

Typically container gardens are made up of annuals, such as petunias or geraniums, but you can mix other plants in there as well. There are endless options for creating container gardens. Select trees, shrubs, and perennials can all also be used to create wonderful arrangements. Check out how to build a container garden for more information and ideas on spring planter combinations.

As a final step, to maximize the size of your memorial garden, try adding statuary around the base of it.

4. Build A Window Box

If you are someone that has very limited space, consider planting a window box. You only need a few inches of space outside of your window for this type of memorial garden.

Every time you look out of that window, you can talk to your loved ones and be reminded that they are watching over you.

Building a window box follows the same basics as a container garden. When choosing your plants, consider the life that pollinator plants can bring. Adding “spillers” like Lantana to your window box can attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies to your memorial container.

5. Get Creative: Try A Hanging Basket

For those that may not have a window or the right lighting conditions for a window box, try planting hanging baskets.

This type of “garden” can hang around anywhere. Whether you choose to have a bunch in one section of your home, a few spread out, or just one for yourself, you can really get creative with your limited space. This is a great option for apartment balconies and front porches.

You can start by building your own hanging basket(s) following the “thriller” “filler” “spiller” rule, or check out our red, white, and purple petunia premade ones. Once your plants are established, then you can add memorial items in and around your basket. Flags, ribbons, and name plates work well for establishing your hanging basket as a memorial for a loved one.

Whatever you choose to design, make it meaningful and take your time. Happy Memorial Day and thank you to all that have served!