Pacific Northwest Gardening: Need ideas, 1 by Soferdig

Soferdig wrote:
I have always combined my memorial gardens with the things that reminded me of what my pets were. My Jack Russell Sophie had my heart more than any other creature on this planet. So I used a heart shaped water feature. I always gather a heart shaped object and place it after any adventure I go on that she no longer can. So she knows that I was thinking of her. She loved water therefore the water feature. Loved chasing fish and frogs so I made it frog friendly. Fish just get eaten by predators. I brought her the driftwood she so greatly had joy with on our kayaking experiences.
So along those lines place a color, a plant that reflects Buddy's life, or any subject that interested him. I would build around a narrow columnar small evergreen in the back corner. (Italian cypress) Then I would use a decidious bush of different heights and variety on its right and left. Then the personal choices of buddys life. For instance a cozy spot under a bush you place that has a rock garden to envelope the statue you have of him and surround him with a blanket of color between the rocks, bright sedum or annual of choice for his bed. Then I would use a complementary climber like clematis to highlight the background climbing on the deck railing. I would place in the forefront a stream like feature of rocks and driftwood. I placed my driftwood like the sound does at high tide. All longitudinal to the surf. This would allow you to continue into the yard with what ever continuance you choose. Like a sunken rock walkway going to the back yard you are placing the plants you have discussed before. Just some ideas. Steve