Hi everyone. In early July my "Ma" (the closest thing I've ever had to a real mother figure) will have a birthday, her first since passing away in early Spring. I miss her terribly and want to honor her by planting a flowering bush in my yard on her birthday. She lived in Texas and I asked her hubby and her son what plant should I choose and neither could tell me (her hubby said "some plant with flowers" and her son said to just pick a plant that would thrive where I live.) I am in the Milwaukee, WI area so it would have to survive our long cold winters. Anyway do any of you have a suggestion for me for a flowering plant or bush that would honor my "Ma"? Many thanks... *Peace*! p.s. we already just planted a rose bush to honor my mom-in-law who also passed away, so maybe something other than roses? thanks!
Hi everyone, and thanks for all your thoughtful replies! I went to Stein's Gardens and gifts today and talked to a garden expert there who suggested Hydrangeas. I never would have considered them, and the blooms don't have much fragrance, but the plant I chose should survive the mostly shady spot where I plan to plant it. I will plant it Tuesday, the same day "Ma's" ashes will be scattered in Colorado. Wish me luck that I can keep it thriving! *Peace*! :)
I vote for Gardenias. They're hardy, with beautiful white flowers, and are heavenly scented. The scent will waft across on a warm summer night.
I would say some kind of Lily. They're very durable and absolutely beautiful!
Go to your local garden store, and ask the experts there.
Tell them what you are looking for, and what will do well in your area.
My MIL, she planted an Olive tree for her late husband, in her yard.
The Olive tree/branches are a symbol of peace, going back centuries, derived from Greek history and myths. It symbolizes peace or victory. For example. But is also a symbolic plant, in many other cultures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_branch
Or a Cherry Tree? Lovely flowers. Smells nice too.
I know these are not bushes, though.
The "Butterfly Bush" is also really nice. There are many different types:
http://www.americanmeadows.com/butterfly-bushes
I vote for Lillies. I love my day lillies and they have come back faithfully for 3 years now. I also have tango lillies that are tall and have different beautifly bright colors.
When my mother passed away 5 years ago I planted a Rose of Sharon. I live in Chicago so the weather is similar. I trim it every year so it is bushy and not tall and stringy looking. Right now it is about 6 feet high and wide.
(this is not a rose bush even though it is called Rose of Sharon)
Not a bush, but how about forget-me-nots? I was not aware they were an annual, but some googling says they are.
I got the cemetary where my mom was buried to plant a magnolia tree, which blooms. (My mom was the president of a garden club and an officer in a couple of others.) I'm not from the north so I'm not sure what grows best in your climate zone. I agree with the lady that suggested the gardenia. It can gow into a tall bush and can be pruned to look like a tree. It has flowers with a delightful fragrance. A blueberry bush would also be nice. It has white flowers, blue fruit and redish branches in the winter.
My condolences about you mom. My mom passed away in '98 and I still miss her. The pain has almost stopped, but I still miss her. She collected berry plants and I have some that she was proud of. I think of her with every boysenberry pie, ice cream and cobbler.
Good luck to you and yours.
We've had really good luck with lilacs--and they smell beautiful when they bloom!
hibiscus?? i am in muskego and it has thrived great.
What about a Rhododendron? It stays green all year with long thick leaves and in the spring or summer it blooms a pretty flower in the center of each leaf cluster. We had them in our front yard when we lived in Connecticut. Also have you considered a dogwood tree? We also had one in our yard and it survived the cold and long winters. In the spring it would flower. I LOVED it!
I hope this helps. I am sorry for your loss and hope your family finds comfort in this.
What about a raspberry bush? I know my aunt who lived near Milwaukee and now in MN had/has raspberry bushes that flourish in that climate. I don't know if they flower but producing a fruit is fun and delicious! I also wanted to add that the first of everything (birthdays, holidays, etc.) after your loved ones pass are the absolute worst. I was a mess on my dad's birthday, which happened to be just 3 weeks after his death, but sadly it does get easier. Hugs.
in memory of our daughter, we planted a Bradford pear tree....beautiful in the spring & fall.
We also planted a hydrangea bush...which has beautiful pink-to-blue blossoms depending on the type of soil you have. The blossoms also dry very well, too.
You might want to check with a reputable nursery in your area for suggestions. We live in MO & our winters are not even close to yours!
EDIT: but I will add that we have a 15yo lilac, several 10yo azaleas, & a 30yo rose bush in our yard....in addition to several of the new knockout roses on the market. All have thrived very well in our climate. I have iris & black-eyed susans amongst my perennials, too. & one more thought....day lilies are about as tough as you can get, but each blossom only lasts a day or so....:{
