Ok, so MIL is here at the moment (well, in Australia anyway, we've managed to shuffle her off to her DrunkenBF's rellies in Melbourne for a week) and next week will be the 4th anniversary of my FIL's death.

Its the first time she's been away from home over the anniversary, so I thought we could perhaps plant something in the garden in his memory.

We live in the Blue Mountains in NSW, up a hill, with a steep, terracedy type garden so I'm after suggestions for something suitable. The garden in north(ish) facing, but has lots of shady areas too. I'm not much of a gardener, so would need something easily cared for.



Any ideas?

Callistemon "Pink Champagne" does well in cold climates and produces a huge display of pink blooms. grows to about 1500 x 1500.

My choice would be an Olive tree, they grow extremely well in Australia; you can get non fruiting varieties that are just for ornamental purposes - and they are drought hardy too

The Olive Tree is a symbol of joy, peace and happiness. It is also ideal for non green fingered folkies

Guys, thanks for those two suggestions. An olive tree would be very apt for him, but I love the sound of the Callistemon too.

Will check them both out.

nice idea Dreamy .. why not find a local garden centre where they can advise on the best plant for your conditions (and skill levels!!)

No idea but I love your garden

Austral Stork's Bill

Might be a bit large, but I love the Brachychiton acerifolius. In cooler climates you can keep them smaller and they are very hardy (just plant them and go! -unless you want to be kind and give them some mulch and bi-annual feed with a native feed)

Another is the crepe myrtle Lagerstroemia indica - I like the pixie white. Again easy to grow - deciduous with lovely bark in winter

The one I would plant in memory of me is the Bottle tree - Brachychiton rupestris but I think where you live you woudl be fighting to get it to flourish - it is mroe for queensland (but maybe I just dont know much about it)

Its a lovely thought

Viv

Lovely idea - I planted one a Bottle Brush for my dad last year - its doing really well

I love our garden too! Its like going for a walk in the bush

(not so keen on the flipping thing when I have to mow the grass though)

That's way too sensible for me!

Thanks for all these suggestions!

I'll show MIL the thread when she comes back from Melbourne and we can go upto the Garden Centre at the top of the road and see what they suggest too.

::loves this forum::

You probably know of the plant already but I suggest Brunfelsia Eximia (Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow). I find it to be a very symbolic plant. It's pleasantly scented as well.

I love that plant, we've got a big tree in the garden and is just fab. Very symbolic in this instance. Dreamy, you'll probably end up with a forest of fab trees/shrubs

I've always liked that shrub/tree. In fact we have one here but it has to come inside the house every late Autumn to Spring

Thank you to everyone who suggested plants.

MIL was touched by the posts and wants to also thank those who sent good wishes via karma

In the end, she went with some bush for a pot by the front door (where hopefully I won't forget to water it) that was a variety called 'Golden Summer' (nearly FIL's surname, so she felt a connection) and then a couple of other plants by the front gate so we can see them from the living room.

Can't remember what they were called (sorry, I know I'm shocking) but I'll take some pictures when I charge up the camera