what's a hardy plant I can plant for a memorial to my dog?

Hi there-- My amazing, beautiful fifteen year old dog passed away a few nights ago. She was a soulmate and I miss her dearly. I want to plant something in her water bowl as a memorial. The bowl is 8-10 inches deep and about 11/2 - 2 feet across. I'm going to drill holes in the bottom and put some of her ashes in there with some soil. I don't want to plant flowers that will die. I was thinking a mini rosebush or a bonzai tree? I even thought of a cactus that flowers. but, anything that will be delicate and hard to care for won't work. I want a plant that will last for many years. it can be an outdoor or indoor, but just wanted some good ideas. I keep racking my brain and not sure what my best options are. This is a very important decision for me and just want to make the best choice. thank you all for your help. Tara

Thats a tough one. I would post on the pet thread. They have made every kind of memorial imaginable, Im sure they could come up for one in a water bowl.
I have a bit of memorial garden going. I planted anglel trumpets in there. Sadly, it keeps getting bigger, always one behind them that needs care .....thank goodness.
Its a hard thing tho.

This message was edited Sep 19, 2010 11:25 AM

oops-- my estimations were wrong. the bowl is about 8 in deep by 14 in across. I wanted to post on the pet thread... but i'm not a subscribing member. was hoping maybe someone could help me on this one. thanks

Sorry about your loss! Is the dog bowl metal? If so I'd definitely keep it indoors and away from bright light (which will limit your plant choices). If you put a metal bowl outside it'll heat up way too much in the sun and cook the roots of anything you plant in it. If it's ceramic or plastic then that's not something you'd need to worry about.

One thing you might consider is making a succulent dish garden--I see them done a lot in planters about the size of your bowl. They're very low maintenance, just make sure not to overwater them. Another thing you might consider is if there's a particular plant that your dog loved, or that reminds you of her, or that has the same name that she did, etc would be to plant it in a special area of your garden, and then use the dog bowl as a bird bath or as garden art in that same area of the garden. That way you don't have to worry about any limitations the dog bowl might have as a plant container.

Sorry for your loss.
I was going to say a succulent mix is probably your best bet for a shallow bowl.(Ecrane we are almost always on the same wave length)
You can also browse plant files by name and see if there is a plant that has the same name as your dog and plant that in memory of her

So sorry about your dog. I'm not sure about planting in the bowl, but have you thought about creating a small area outside? Forget-me-nots are great, as they self sew and spread quickly, give you pretty blue flowers in the spring and then sporadically throughout the year. You could add a fountian and a dog statue...make it a real nice place to sit and reflect.

Very sorry for ur dog.
I can feel it as I also pet dogs.
In India we plant usually any highly fragrant or very useful tree(not thorny) to remember our dead friends. We believe that the usefulness of the planted tree purifies the dead's soul. So u may plant Brunfelsia, Nyctanthes or Parijat and so and also a Neem tree as it will be as useful as ur pet. Above all try a Ficus bengal as it will grow into a showy natural bonsai if u take almost no care. Remember Neem and Ficus bengalensis are worshiped in India. We believe that if a ficus bengal is planted in anyone's memory, the soul becomes free of the dues of its earthly life and it is the best for a dog as we think a dog's life is to fulfill the dues of past life. My grandfather had planted one in his GSD's aluminium bowl (7.5 /15 inches) 48yr ago and now its a nice bonsai,-almost natural, though nearly 3ft tall.
May God alow ur pet the never ending peaceful rest.

Very beautiful thought Chanchel.
Taranne, Hugs, Am so sorry for your loss.I planted blackberrys on one of my dogs grave cause he loved blackberrys and would gingerly pick his own.
When one of my DD beloved dogs died my other DD and i helped her to make a memorial spot in the woods with a chair and flowers and a statue of an angel. Its now her comfort area. When she has problems she goes there to think things out.
Know you'll think of something for you and your baby.
Vickie

Hi taranne,
I'm so sorry about your beloved dog. I have cats and dogs and understand how much it hurts to lose such a friend. Have you considered buying a pretty pot that would fit in your dogs bowl so you could have more room for plant roots? You could sit the pot in the bowl and fill in any empty space with some decorative moss (you can buy it in most arts and crafts stores). That way, you could have more choices of plants and you could also maintain the plant more easily.

I have a concrete planter that is in a hot sunny area that gets ignored. Not so good for plants.... rock hard dirt -- a sort of hardscrabble place that no plant should have to endure. That being said, there are some pretty sedum planted in there that appear year after year and tumble over the walls of the planter. Pretty purple/green - I don't know the variety. You might look for sedum.

You might also consider filling the memory bowl with pretty stones and glass bits and perhaps your beloved pets tags and use it in the garden as art. The shimmering and sparking of wet stone and glass is very pretty.

Please accept my condolences - lots of memories in the garden of happy times.

I had a brushed stainless tree made - bare limbed with a few leaves numbering as many years as our Rosie's life. Tucked unseen behind the 'trunk' is a small glass vial with stopper for a bit of her ashes. It is made to be attached to a tree or any surface really - intended to go in the garden.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful ideas! Just reading these have brought tears to my eyes as they are all such lovely ways to honor our most beloved friends. I ended up planting a very beautiful succulent (aeonium kiwi) that I'm keeping indoors in a spot that I think will be perfect light. It will spread and fill the bowl. Every time I see it, it lights up my heart. I kind of wish I had waited and planted the ficus bengal, though. Again, thank you all for your feedback!!!!!