Wolcott Garden Treasures
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Sunny, Dry & Unattended: Plants that are Suited for the Cemetery
Planting at a cemetery can be a challenge. Generally, the area is full sun and rather dry, plus the plants usually don't receive attention on a regular basis. For that reason, we've compiled a list of super hardy plants that can survive in the hot sun without much help. What's better than that? All these selections are long-blooming, meaning they last at least 6 weeks in bloom, maximizing the beauty of a cemetery memorial without the need for lots of replanting or repotting.
Annuals - these flowers will bloom and/or rebloom throughout the summer but will only last one season.
Geraniums (ivy or zonal type) - while these annual favorites are known to like moist soil, they're so hardy that they're still an excellent choice for the cemetery. Geraniums should make it through all but the hottest, driest weather.
Gerber Daisy - a perennial in hot, arid climates, here in New England, it's an annual. This gorgeous, colorful, huge daisy is good in full sun or even partial shade in the hottest of climates. These flowers like well drained soil that's not too moist.
Marigold - another annual that prefers moist soil, marigolds are fairly tolerant of dry conditions, and like full sun.
Perennials - drought tolerant, full sun and long-blooming; these come back year after year.
Agastache (Anise Hyssop) - super hardy and trouble free, Agastache grows in shades of blue and purple (and even one variety of pink) and will bloom from July to September. Their recognizable spikes reach up to 3' in height. More info...
Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) - the original hardy long-bloomer, Black Eyed Susan has carefree, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow and orange. Most varieties bloom from around July to September, love full sun and are tolerant of all but the dryest of soils. More info...
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) - with some of the flashiest blooms around, these mainly red or yellow flowers will bloom for a few months anytime between May and September, depending on the variety. More info...
Echinacea (Coneflower) - another daisy-like bloom, Echinacea has a brown or maroon raised center flanked by any number of petal colors. A staple in the wild landscape and in the garden, this long bloomer is trouble free. More info...
Tickseed (Coreopsis) - 'nana' variety, with its traditional yellow color, will bloom all the way from late spring right into fall. Domino will show off its deep gold petals with red bands from July to September. More info...
Veronica (Speedwell) - with its dense, blue, purple or white flower spikes, Veronica makes a colorful, pretty addition to the landscape. With tons of varieties to choose from, this perennial will bloom in several week intervals throughout the season. More info...
Here's a thought for the cemetery plot of a service man or woman: combine Vintage Wine Coneflower or any number of red Blanket Flowers with white and blue Veronica and/or Agastache to create a long-blooming and worry-free palette of red, white & blue.
Annuals - these flowers will bloom and/or rebloom throughout the summer but will only last one season.
Geraniums (ivy or zonal type) - while these annual favorites are known to like moist soil, they're so hardy that they're still an excellent choice for the cemetery. Geraniums should make it through all but the hottest, driest weather.
Gerber Daisy - a perennial in hot, arid climates, here in New England, it's an annual. This gorgeous, colorful, huge daisy is good in full sun or even partial shade in the hottest of climates. These flowers like well drained soil that's not too moist.
Marigold - another annual that prefers moist soil, marigolds are fairly tolerant of dry conditions, and like full sun.
Perennials - drought tolerant, full sun and long-blooming; these come back year after year.
Agastache (Anise Hyssop) - super hardy and trouble free, Agastache grows in shades of blue and purple (and even one variety of pink) and will bloom from July to September. Their recognizable spikes reach up to 3' in height. More info...
Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) - the original hardy long-bloomer, Black Eyed Susan has carefree, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow and orange. Most varieties bloom from around July to September, love full sun and are tolerant of all but the dryest of soils. More info...
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) - with some of the flashiest blooms around, these mainly red or yellow flowers will bloom for a few months anytime between May and September, depending on the variety. More info...
Echinacea (Coneflower) - another daisy-like bloom, Echinacea has a brown or maroon raised center flanked by any number of petal colors. A staple in the wild landscape and in the garden, this long bloomer is trouble free. More info...
Tickseed (Coreopsis) - 'nana' variety, with its traditional yellow color, will bloom all the way from late spring right into fall. Domino will show off its deep gold petals with red bands from July to September. More info...
Veronica (Speedwell) - with its dense, blue, purple or white flower spikes, Veronica makes a colorful, pretty addition to the landscape. With tons of varieties to choose from, this perennial will bloom in several week intervals throughout the season. More info...
Here's a thought for the cemetery plot of a service man or woman: combine Vintage Wine Coneflower or any number of red Blanket Flowers with white and blue Veronica and/or Agastache to create a long-blooming and worry-free palette of red, white & blue.
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