Montgomery Cemetery

Planting in hot, sunny area:

This landscaped area in Montgomery Cemetery outside Oakland City contained some stone memorials. The large rocky area needed some color, but the area was also very hot and there was no easy source of water to take care of plants. The solution implemented was to purchase two outdoor planters which contain a reservoir of about 4 gallons of water under the soil. This allowed flowering plants to be bring color to the area without the need for watering multiple times during the week. More information is below the photo.
(Return to project list)

The photo above shows the design of the memorial garden done by a group of college landscapers several years ago. Gibson Master Gardeners added irises to the plantings of lilies on the west side of the garden to add color interest in May when many people visit the cemetery.

Solving a problem with "self-watering" planters: This area is in full sun and there is no source of water at hand. The area that needed more color and plants was a flat, rocky surface. We suggested "self-watering" planters which hold a reserve of four gallons of water under the soil. The containers need to be checked once a week for moisture. The planters need to be watered several times a month.

The plants we chose for these planters were catmint, daisies, and "African Daisies" (Osteospermum) . The goal was to have blooms in May when visitors come to the cemetery around Memorial Day that will continue during the summer. Catmint and daisies are perennials which have long bloom periods. The "African Daisies" are annuals which can handle the hot weather and bloom all summer.

Water is poured into the spout until the level shows that the reservoir is full.

Gibson MGs have another example of an outdoor "self-watering" planter in full sun at our meeting location at the Princeton Senior Citizen Center.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse