The Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden - Face Lift Part II

Yesterday's blog introduced you to the freshened up Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden. I thanked those who helped to design, plan, build, dig, fill, plant, and put on the finishing touches but I didn't share the specific plants and flowers that are in the garden. Each were selected for a specific reason, or symbol, if you will. Let me explain and share a more closed up view of the beauties within. Let's start in the center and work our way to the points. Mom chose a Frosted Violet Coral Bell for the center. This perennial's violet purple foliage enhances as the temperatures get colder. Since this is Upstate New York, it's color might start to deepen in September, around the time of Heidi's birthday. 

In addition to the color this will provide as the other flowers are fading, it also produces a pinkish flower to create an accent of beauty in the center, the heart of the garden. Heidi will always be at the center of our hearts, with her beautiful smile lasting regardless of the temperature. So it's only fitting the heart of the garden be the same in nature. Working from the center out, the next plant are hostas. These aren't just any ol' plant, these are a little bit of home in the garden. Mom and Dad wanted something that would come back each year and increase in size without choking out other plants. 

A few options were considered but the hosta was chosen because it will grow in size and its one of my parents favorite greenery plants on their property. To add this to the Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden brings "home" to the garden, surrounding its center.

The next perennial is an orange daisy like flower. When Heidi disappeared orange was selected as the color of choice because it was Mexico's school color and most would have this color in their wardrobe. To keep this color of hope for our community, this flower was selected.   Then to the corners, or points, of the star. At these points are Shasta Daisies. Mom selected the this flower because they represent all our missing persons. A few years ago, the Center for Hope, sent a package of Shasta Daisies for family members in attendance at New York State Missing Person's Day home with a package to plant. I gave it to my parents. 

So the corners remind us of why this garden came into existence for our community. One of our own was abducted and remains missing today but these daisies will remind all who see the garden...the missing are never forgotten. Little signs of hope and remembrance, from our home to the garden. We think as the years progress, the white and orange daisies will combine to create a point of hope in all directions. The only annual planted are the orange violas. The perennials are smaller so as they grow, they won't overtake the garden but instead...compliment it.

The orange violas are fillers this year, to eliminate an empty feel this year as the new plants take hold and grow. My parents and us, each have this same flower in our gardens at home so we are each connected. One more way we remain a family unit - while not enjoying time together, we can still share our joy and beauty with others while we wait until the day we are together once again...all orange and community related. #HopeHeidiAllen Thanks for remembering Heidi and sharing this vision of hope,
I hope you enjoyed learning the meaning 
behind each of the plant and flower selections.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and day tomorrow!