4 Ideas for a Memory Garden

My miniature garden is my happy place. Whether I am watering and weeding, adding new miniature plants, or giving one of my friends a tour of the fairyhood, I always have a smile on my face. Over the years, though, I have found that the miniature garden can also be the perfect place for quiet reflection, contemplation, and even, from time to time, a good cry! Yes, I have been known to shed a tear or two while working or relaxing in the garden. There is something about the mix of sights, sounds, and smells that jogs the memory and awakens emotions. Lately, I have been planting and planting with an eye towards the past. These are four ideas for creating your own Memory Garden—a place to honor what has bloomed before and to celebrate what has yet to grow.

1. Memorial Day

There are still a few weeks to go until this year’s Memorial Day holiday, but I am already looking at my window boxes and raised beds. Are you making plans for a patriotic garden? So many of us have friends, family members, and other loved ones who have served in the armed forces. A Memorial Day miniature garden is one way to honor those who have given their lives for our freedoms.

Whether or not there is a fallen hero in your family, consider decorating your front porch or flower box with some red, white, and blue blooming miniature plants this year. A small flag or a patriotic garland provides the finishing touch.

2. Remembering Loved Ones

One of the most heartbreaking human experiences is the loss of a loved one. We all share in that pain at some point. Some of the most beautiful and inspirational miniature gardens I have encountered are those that are planted and decorated in memory of family members and friends. They might include the person’s favorite miniature plant or flower, or touches of their favorite color. Some have a fairy cottage symbolizing a home for the person’s spirit. A calming water feature and stones etched with "In Memory Of" or "Never Forgotten" help to create a quiet, contemplative place to remember those we have lost.

3. The Rainbow Bridge

Pet owners know that the loss of a dog, cat, or another animal companion can be devastating. A Memory Garden offers a place to channel that energy and celebrate the pet’s life. I have met gardeners who create miniature gardens that look like a "pet heaven" full of streams, miniature plants, animals, and room to run. One popular addition to these pet Memory Gardens is a "rainbow bridge." As the story goes, a rainbow overpass stretches between Earth and heaven. One day, humans and their departed pets will reunite on the bridge. For now, you might plant a miniature rainbow bridge in your fairy garden to symbolize the life-long love you have for your furry friend.

4. A Living Scrapbook

A Memory Garden can be a permanent fixture on the porch or patio, but it can also be an ever-evolving place to explore more recent memories and events. Did you take a favorite family vacation, honeymoon, or spring break trip? Recreate it in the miniature garden! It is easy to make a miniature beach, lake, or another sunny scene. Birthdays, weddings, and other big life events are fun to celebrate in miniature. As you grow your collection of fairy cottages, miniature fairies and figures, and miniature trees and plants, it will be easy to make changes in the garden. Every few weeks or months, you could highlight a different memory, just like a living scrapbook. This also makes for a fun conversation piece to share with family members, friends, and other visitors to your miniature garden.

So, what will you create next? I hope you enjoy making memories and planting pleasant moments in your own miniature garden. Happy Gardening!