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Memorial Potted Tree

#1 · 14th November 2023, 10:37 pm

Please be gentle I have never been a gardener. In fact I have never even looked after a house plant but this is important. My Grandmother who raised me passed away in May. I was kept busy with the admin of her passing but I now need a place to remember her. She doesnt have a headstone I thought about getting a small tree something potted so I cantake it if I move house and place some of her ashes in the pot. It would be a place for me to remember her. I have no idea what to get. She loved cooking and I thought about something that would deliver some produce. Has to survive scottish winters. Please help all reccomendations appreciated.

#2 · 18th November 2023, 8:12 am

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 18th November 2023, 8:12 am
Hi @ljcampbell2hotmail-com

Welcome to the Garden Ninja forum and don't worry we are all patient and gentle Ninjas here!

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother passing. Your idea to use a tree as a living reminder is beautiful, so let me assist. I'm a huge fan of fruit trees for beginner gardeners, so think your idea is well thought through. They will also survive harsh Scottish winters too! So you can spend more time enjoying eating home made tablet from the warmth of your lounge! 😉

As a very beginner gardener fruit trees are a wonderful plant to start with. This is for two reasons.

1- They can be bought on dwarfing or small root stocks which control the ultimate size and growth, meaning you can choose a tree that will fit any space or container. Please checkout this guide for more on choosing the right size of fruit tree rootstock.

2- Fruit trees over spring blossom, summer leaves and fruit in Autumn making them a great plant to 'watch the seasons' through.

Dwarfing Rootstock sizes:

M26 – Medium 2-3mt eventual height – Good for bushes or cordons, can be trained as a medium-sized tree

M9 – Small 1.8-2.5m eventual height -Very productive, always keep staked

M27 – V. Small 1-2m eventual height – Great for pots or patios, always keep staked

Have a look below at some fruit tree examples to help you and also my fruit tree pruning guide here once it's established and growing well.

I'd recommend either an apple or a plum to start with. Both have fabulous blossom and are easy to prune. Apples are always pruned in winter and Plums, Cherries and any of the stone fruits in late Spring.

Dwarfing Apple Trees:

Malus 'Appletini' is a fantastic choice for a container with small sweet red apples.

Malus 'Sparta' - an unusually small dark red apple - only partially self fertile fine if there are other fruit trees around our local area but if in doubt, choose a self fertile species.

Dwarf Plum Trees:

Prunus 'Black Amber' a prolific small plum tree

Prunus 'Victoria' dwarf rich sweet plum which is self fertile.

(These are affiliate links so if you do choose to buy receive a small commission that helps keep this blog free to use!)

I hope that helps get you started on your new adventure into growing and do let us know here at Garden Ninja HQW how you get on!

All the best

Lee

Hi @ljcampbell2hotmail-com

Welcome to the Garden Ninja forum and don't worry we are all patient and gentle Ninjas here!

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother passing. Your idea to use a tree as a living reminder is beautiful, so let me assist. I'm a huge fan of fruit trees for beginner gardeners, so think your idea is well thought through. They will also survive harsh Scottish winters too! So you can spend more time enjoying eating home made tablet from the warmth of your lounge! 😉

As a very beginner gardener fruit trees are a wonderful plant to start with. This is for two reasons.

1- They can be bought on dwarfing or small root stocks which control the ultimate size and growth, meaning you can choose a tree that will fit any space or container. Please checkout this guide for more on choosing the right size of fruit tree rootstock.

2- Fruit trees over spring blossom, summer leaves and fruit in Autumn making them a great plant to 'watch the seasons' through.

Dwarfing Rootstock sizes:

M26 – Medium 2-3mt eventual height – Good for bushes or cordons, can be trained as a medium-sized tree
M9 – Small 1.8-2.5m eventual height -Very productive, always keep staked
M27 – V. Small 1-2m eventual height – Great for pots or patios, always keep staked

Have a look below at some fruit tree examples to help you and also my fruit tree pruning guide here once it's established and growing well.

I'd recommend either an apple or a plum to start with. Both have fabulous blossom and are easy to prune. Apples are always pruned in winter and Plums, Cherries and any of the stone fruits in late Spring.

Dwarfing Apple Trees:

Malus 'Appletini' is a fantastic choice for a container with small sweet red apples.

Malus 'Sparta' - an unusually small dark red apple - only partially self fertile fine if there are other fruit trees around our local area but if in doubt, choose a self fertile species.

Dwarf Plum Trees:

Prunus 'Black Amber' a prolific small plum tree

Prunus 'Victoria' dwarf rich sweet plum which is self fertile.

(These are affiliate links so if you do choose to buy receive a small commission that helps keep this blog free to use!)

I hope that helps get you started on your new adventure into growing and do let us know here at Garden Ninja HQW how you get on!

All the best

Lee