Small tree in Memory of a Dear Cat
Last post 28-10-2011 8:04 PM by jon jon . 7 replies.
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28/10/2011 11:09 AM
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- jdwhughes
- jdwhughes
- 28 Oct 2011
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3
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Hi,
At the weekend our beloved cat Diego was hit by a car and killed. We have buried him in our front garden and would like to plant a small tree or bush beside him as a memorial.
We want the tree/bush to prosper and be a reminder of his wonderful nature and lust for life.
I am looking for advice on what sorts of tree would thrive in the conditions we have.
The location is in the foot of the Medway valley (north Kent) so winds can be strong and the site is very exposed facing west onto a very large open filed usually planted with grain. The field extends to the river in the distance.
The east side of the site is facing our house approx 7m away across grass lawn which is in a row of terraces (running from north to south). The early morning sun is blocked by the houses so during the summer the site will see sunshine from about 11am onwards right up until sunset.
beyond our terrace to the south is an old chalk quarry so I presume the soil is chalky & alkaline but it also has quite a sticky clay like feel to it.
The soil seems to be dry during the summer and moist/wet during the winter but not waterlogged.
We would like a tree/plant that won't grow taller than about 1-1.5m or can at least be pruned/cut back to stay below this level as we don't want to impair the view across the field.
We would love it if it was low maintenance as although we are willing to care for it if we move we want it to continue to thrive as a memorial to our beautiful kitty.
My girlfriend is a real fan of acres particularly those that have bright red and orange leaves in the autumn.
Does anyone know of a good acer that would do well here, or can anyone recommend a different tree/plant that would do well here. Perhaps something that would flower at some point in the year.
Hope I haven't mad it a ll too complicated.
John
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28/10/2011 02:20 PM
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Hi John,
I'm so sorry to hear about your cat - poor Diego. I think planting a tree in his memory is a lovely idea.
I think that an Acer would have a tough time dealing with strong winds. What about an Amelanchier? Year-round interest, including the fiery Autumn colour you mentioned, and I think pretty hardy. I'm no expert, so perhaps someone else on the forum can confirm or refute this! They can get tall, but probably with careful pruning you could keep it to a reasonable size.
Another suggestion for you - though not hardy in the UK - Mirabilis Jalapa. I think it's a herbaceous perennial in the UK, returning each year, with beautifully scented flowers on Summer evenings. perhaps best in a pot which you can overwinter. The only reason I mention it is that here in Spain it's common name is Don Diego de Noche (Sir Diego of the night) - too sentimental??!!
Very best regards,
Pippa
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28/10/2011 03:07 PM
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- jdwhughes
- jdwhughes
- 28 Oct 2011
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3
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thanks fory your reply Pippa,
Love the idea of Mirabilis Jalapa definitely not too sentimental, brings a tear to my eye though as t Sir Diego of the night is a great description of him. I will certainly be trying to grow some of them.
I also love the Amelanchier, Has all the right attributes particularly the fiery red and spring flowers but it looks like it may not suit our chalky soil? Has anyone had any success growing in chalky soil?
What i really don't want to do is plant something and have it die in the first 1 or 2 years.
2 Great ideas though, thanks.
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28/10/2011 04:10 PM
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I get the impression that they're ok with alkaline as long as the soil is reasonably fertile. If yours has a high clay content, and you dug in some rich organic matter for good measure, I don't think there'd be a problem. However, my knowledge of this plant is purely theoretical. I'm sure someone here in the forums must have direct, practical experience they can share. You are obviously planting for keeps in this case and it's important to get it right, as you say.
Pippa
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28/10/2011 05:37 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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9,474
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If you want a long lived plant, I wouldn't go for the Mirabilis - I grow this (Mirabilis jalapa 'Broken Colours') in my garden as an annual and if they do come back the next year, it's only through where they have self seeded and after the last two colder winters, I haven't had any come up from self sowed seed.
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28/10/2011 05:56 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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4,072
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For a plant with a good name like that, it wouldn't be much bother to start seed off fresh each spring. Rosemary might be worth a go if you dig in some grit for extra drainage. Kept low, it's surprisingly tough and it has pretty blue flowers in early summer. Rosemary is a symbol of friendship and remembrance, which is fitting.
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28/10/2011 07:03 PM
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@Sue1002 - absolutely agree. I only really mentioned Mirabilis for the name. Having said that, I have a friend with a v v small balcony and she simply collects the seed each summer, chucks the old plant out and sows again in Spring. Which amounts to it technically being the same plant, in a way....?!
@Miranda - I think Rosemary is a lovely idea too. The prostratus varieties are beautiful, like tumbling waterfalls. Evergreen, and in a good summer (never lose hope!) they can reflower over a long period. As you say though, you need to keep pruning regularly: I inherited 3 monster rosemaries which are beyond help because to prune them back to a reasonable size, I'd just end up with a woody tangle and little chance of growback.
@John - at this rate, you'll end up with a Diego memorial garden rather than just a tree!
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28/10/2011 08:04 PM
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- jon jon
- stratford on avon
- 18 Sep 2009
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284
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A Tree Peony is worth a look long lived low maintanance lovely blooms
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