Considering sites for Marlboro Township's Living Memorial. Photo: Lindsay Campbell
- Introduction to Living Memorial Design
- Site Appraisal
- Diversity in Site Design
- Diversity in Plant Material
- Accessibility and Ease of Use
- Maintenance
- Case Studies of Living Memorials
Diversity of Plant Material
Plants should be appropriately and imaginatively selected to provide a variety of sensory stimulation - seasonal changes, colors, scents, forms & textures, tastes. A thoughtful selection and combination of plant materials maximizes interest and provides the opportunity for participation at many levels. Plant selections should take into consideration available light, water and other local climatic conditions and reflect desired maintenance needs and requirements. Considerations in plant selection and use include:Natural Elements/Sense of Peace
Benefits of Native and Naturalized Species
Native and Naturalized Trees Species Lists
Structural Elements for Screening, Shelter, and Shade
Sensorial Interest through Seasonal Change
The Fourth Dimension: Time
Food and habitat for Wildlife
Safety
Planting as Healing
Starting Points:
Natural Elements Contributing to a Sense of Peace.
Arrow Lake at Sterling Forest, New Jersey.
Photo: Erika Svendsen
(Fountain, stream, pond, bird-bath, bowl of water)
Fountain of life, beginning of life, ocean, womb
Dappled sunlight through the trees at Hoboken’s Waterfront Park.
By: Lindsay Campbell
Awakening, illumination, presence
Memorial stone at Connecticut’s Living Memorial with the Long Island Sound in the background.
Photo: Lindsay Campbell
(Path, ornamental rock, building material, objects, calendar)
Stability, enduring quality/eternity, stable values
Mature tree in Orangetown, New York.
Photo: Erika Svendsen
(Source of energy, oxygen, food for all life)
Birth, beginnings, growth, maturity/ripening, endings, renewal
Wind rustles through the reeds and grasses at Seaside Nature Park in Staten Island.
Photo: Lindsay Campbell
(Breath of life, animating spirit, presence, purifies)
Movement=health in Chinese medicine
Choosing Native and Naturalized Species:
The Benefits of Native and Naturalized Species
Native Species in the United States are commonly understood to be species that have been growing successfully on this land prior to European settlement. There are many practical reasons why landscaping with native species can produce a garden system that has a very good chance of supporting local ecological needs, and human need as well. Having evolved in particular climates and soils, with neighboring flora and fauna challenging and supporting their survival as populations, native plants have adapted over thousands of years to outwit predators, withstand extremes in temperature and moisture levels, and resist disease within their growing range. Using native plants in their appropriate growing zone, and especially in the context of native “plant communities”, will significantly reduce the chances of loss of plantings to pests, inappropriate climate, and disease. Further, watering and fertilizing and the use of herbicide will also be significantly reduced, as the plant has developed capabilities to thrive without the aid of the gardener. Naturalized species did not naturally occur in a particular region, but were introduced by humans, and consistently perform harmoniously in their new context. They are non-invasive and provide ecological services for the local wildlife and with wider ecosystem.
Native and Naturalized Tree Species Lists:
In making your tree selections, it makes sense to start with the large conifers, if you would like them to be part of your plan. Conifers are cone-bearing trees, such as firs, pines, hemlock, and often are collectively called evergreens. Large conifers, often strong, graceful, structures, will provide a constant unchanging visual and constant shade, with little or no opportunity for underplanting with smaller trees, shrubs or perennials. When you choose a large conifer for a garden setting, you are often choosing a specimen tree (one that stands alone as a fine “specimen”) or a backdrop for smaller trees. If your setting is large and park-like, conifers can make beautiful windbreaks, screens, borders to woodlands, allees, groves, and bosques. Keep in mind that smaller conifers (e.g. junipers), and dwarf conifers can also serve as dramatic accents while also providing winter interest for garden visitors – both human and non-human. Most conifers are an excellent source of food and shelter for wildlife.
| Scientific Name | Common Name |
| Large Conifers | |
| Ilex opaca | American holly |
| Juniperus virginiana | Eastern red cedar |
| Pinus rigida | Pitch pine (not recommended) |
| Pinus strobus | Eastern white pine |
| Large Deciduous Trees | |
| Aesculus | Buckeye |
| Acer rubrum | Red maple |
| Acer saccharum | Silver maple |
| Amelanchier arborea | Serviceberry |
| Betula lenta | Black birch |
| Betula nigra | River birch |
| Carpinus caroliniana | American hornbeam |
| Carya ovata | Shagbark hickory |
| Castanea dentata | American chestunut (not recommended) |
| Cetlis occidentalis | Common hackberry |
| Cornus alternifolia | Alternate-leaved dogwood |
| Cornus florida | Flowering dogwood |
| Fagus grandifoloa | American beech |
| Franklinia alatamaha | Franklin tree |
| Fraxinus americana | White ash |
| Fraxinus pensylvanica | Green ash |
| Gleditsia triacanthos | Honeylocust |
| Gymnlcladus dioicus | Kentucky coffeetree |
| Hamamelis virginiana | Witch hazel |
| Liquidambar styraciflua | Sweet gum |
| Liriodenfron tulipifera | Tulip tree (not recommended) |
| Manolia virginiana | Sweetbay magnolia |
| Metasequoia Glyptostroboides | Dawn Redwood |
| Nyssa sylvatica | Black tupelo |
| Ostrya virginiana | American hophornbeam |
| Platanus occidentalis | American sycamore |
| Populus deltiodes | Cottonwood |
| Populus tremuloides | Quaking aspen |
| Prunus serotina | Black cherry |
| Quercus alba | White oak |
| Quercus bicolor | Swamp white oak |
| Quercus palustris | Pin oak |
| Quercus prinus | Chestnut oak |
| Quercus rubra | Red oak |
| Quercus velutina | Black oak |
| Sassafrass albidum | Common sassafras |
| Salix discolor | Pussy willow |
| Salix nigra | Black willow |
| Tilia americana | American linden or basswood |
| Tsuga canadensis | Eastern hemlock (blight prone) |
| Ulmus americana | American elm (not recommended) |
| Small Flowering Trees | |
| Crataegus | Hawthorn |
| Ilex glabra | Winterberry |
| Halesia diptera | Two-winged silverbell (check zones) |
| Juglans nigra | Black walnut |
| Lindera benzoin | Spicebush |
| Malus spp. | Wild crabapple (susceptible to apple cedar rust) |
| Rhododendron viscosum | Swamp azalea |
| Stewartia | |
| Viburnum dentatum | Arrowwood (ill scented) |
| Small and Dwarf Conifers |
Structural Elements: For screening, shelter, shade, and to highlight significant spaces and displays.
Consider plants that complement and accentuate the Living Memorial’s layout and concept: This requires material that is hardy & tailored to the site's soil and climatic condition, requires minimal maintenance, and is attractive throughout the year. It is important to consider seasonal change in using deciduous or evergreen materials to create an appropriate setting throughout the year.
- Screening: Provide visual screening from undesirable on-site and off-site features. Perimeter plantings can provide a sense of enclosure and screen nearby buildings and roads. Consider the height of plant materials to provide screening for those walking and sitting.
- Shelter: Windbreaks, perimeter screens and plant materials enclosing smaller areas within the garden will often also attract wildlife. Select plant materials with a semi-open structure to filter rather than deflect the winds, minimizing turbulence (from more solid obstructions such as fences). Over time, trees may require an under-story of shrub material to provide wind protection and screening at ground level. Consider adjacent buildings or other structures in wind currents. Temporary manmade screens can compensate until plant material is of sufficient height.
- Shade: Provide protection from sun and glare. Consider light, small-leaf foliage in tree canopies to reduce extreme contrasts of light and to avoid the difficulties in adjusting to different light levels. The more even the distribution of light, the more comfortable for viewing. Lofty tree canopies provide shade and allow soft breezes underneath. Consider the view of wildlife, birds and flowers in the tree canopy above. The outline and patterns of sun and shade created by the canopy can be as prominent and interesting as the horizontal view.
- Definition of spaces, boundaries and displays: Plants can help organize and define distinct spaces, define the character of spaces (private or public; formal or informal) and provide backdrops for special seasonal displays.
Consider the value of every season and ensure that plant selections provide interest throughout the year: Materials providing sensorial interest can also encourage memories and reminiscences. Features to consider include fruit and flower; color, texture and scent; plant structure; form and sound. Consider heightened physical conditions such as allergies and skin sensitivities in selection and location. Consider the qualities of each of the senses, both separately and combined, and avoid over-stimulation and a confusing, busy space. In other words, balance the Living Memorial’s sensory interest.
- Color: Consider the psychological effects of color on human perceptions and emotions. Color is an important tool for defining areas or events and celebrating the seasons - whether used in mass or singularly; in simple statements or in complex palettes.
- Texture: Consider the visual and tactile qualities of plants. Juxtaposing contrasting textures provides visual and tactile interest.
- Scent: Used carefully, fragrances can recall memories and evoke powerful emotions. Avoid over-scenting a space and provide non-scented (non-pollen) areas for those allergic or sensitive (perhaps due to medications). Consider localizing scents within smaller, intimate areas. For example, to highlight a seating area. Juxtapose complementary fragrances to play one against the another for heightened awareness or to extend an area's interest. Wind direction is important in locating materials appropriately.
- Sound: Plants can be used to screen undesired noises and enhance desired sounds. One way to “orchestrate” an outdoor setting is to juxtapose trees and shrubs, keeping in mind the differing sound qualities of wind through various leaves such as pine needles, sycamore leaves, bamboo, and grasses. Attract songbirds, or perhaps crickets, with fruit trees and berry bushes. Consider the sound (and the potential fragrance) of leaves and bark when walked upon.
- Taste: Like fragrance, taste also has a connection to memory and can provide an important therapeutic tool. Edible fruits can be problematic though, creating a messy or slippery surface and attracting insects.
Consider the processes of growth, death and renewal to provide a positive affirmation of our place in the natural order: By contrasting old against young, deciduous against evergreen, fast-growing against slow-growing, long-lived against short-lived, one is constantly reminded of nature's course. Such settings often provide helpful metaphors for resolving difficult personal issues.
Food and habitat for wildlife.
Consider materials that attract wildlife and enhance existing woodlands: Adjacent woodlands can provide an important resource, contributing to enclosure and screening, providing seasonal interest and a resource for local wildlife. To maximize this existing resource, consider a preservation, enhancement & management plan, tailored to the site and its projected uses.
- Careful protection of woodland edges during construction
- Assessment and subsequent thinning and clearing of undesired plant materials
- Supplemental planting to encourage an under-story of diverse density - with open canopied trees to increase light levels and encourage the growth of shrubs and new plantings to provide screening and food for wildlife.
- Creating new woodlands. Such operations should include materials with a range of growth rates for short-term and long-term effects, planted to create a variety of densities
Safety: Hazardous Materials and Conditions.
Carefully consider the selection and location of plants that are poisonous, thorny & scratchy, produce unpleasant sap, messy droppings of pods, fruits or slippery leaves, or that sting or cause allergies or itchiness: These plants need not be eliminated entirely from the garden, but perhaps located away from pathways in a backdrop setting. Consider the root structure of trees and large shrubs, avoiding those with surface roots that cause unevenness in adjacent paths and paving. Surface roots can also be a factor of over-compacted soil and subsurface rock.
