Life in the Garden

Matters of Life and Death

memorial stone

Adrienne Shelly Memorial Garden

After several years of planning, a Memorial Garden will be dedicated in Abingdon Square Park in New York City, to the memory of Adrienne Shelly, who was killed in 2006.

“This has been a long but very satisfying journey to honor my late wife in the park she loved so much, across from the building in which she lived for many years, worked and died.” said Shelly’s husband, Andy Ostroy,who helped design the memorial garden.

Ostroy chose to stock the plot with Nikko blue hydrangeas (symbolizing understanding)

Obedience, hardy and tolerant of clay soil. Symbolizes graciousness and strength.

Liatris, also known as Blazing Star, symbolizes love.

Campanula, also known as the Bellflower symbolizes gratitude.

and Nepeta, also known as catnip, is lemon-scented with heart-shaped leaves.

Shelly’s memorial garden will be dedicated with a memorial plaque on Aug. 3.

Founded in 1836, and re-opened in 2004, Abingdon Square Park is a tiny, luscious triangle in Greenwich Village. According to neighbors, the park seems almost holy, like a sacrament in the summertime.

The park is dominated by the bronze statue of a soldier holding a flag, the Abingdon “Doughboy,” was designed to “honor the brave men who went forth from this neighborhood to join the armed forces of the United States during the World War.”

Planning a memorial garden or tree dedication? Check out our memorial stones.

Yes, We Sell Rocks

vintage dove postcard


Jessica wanted to create a memorial stone for a one of the dispatchers at the police station in Michigan.

We can do custom work but the logo she wanted to use was too small and multi-layered.

What else could we use? Police badge was out of the question, she wasn’t a cop. What about the town mascot? Turns out, it’s is a Beaver.

The answer was a resounding “No”.

How about a dove for the dispatcher? The messenger.

dove stained glass

Client loved it!

“I just received the stone this morning and it looks great.  Thanks again for all of your help.”

Stained glass image courtesy of Down East Stained Glass, check  their site for more beautiful custom stained glass designs.


Heart Shaped Garden Stones

vintage valentine postcard

When a loved one dies, placing a heart-shaped garden stone in your yard is a personal yet comforting reminder of that person who now lives in your heart. Made out of marble, resin, hand cast stone or concrete, garden stones are durable and waterproof and can last for many years.

heart shaped garden stones

The heart-shaped memorial stones offer special symbolism as hearts show affection from the living for those who died. Two hearts joined are also extremely special as they symbolize marriage or a committed relationship. These are perfect for families who want to honor both parents who died.

Some heart-shaped garden stones come with hangers so they can be hung on a wall or garden post. Consider personalizing the memorial stones with your loved one’s name, favorite quote or Scripture and dates of birth and death. Some stones are large enough to have an image etched or engraved. This is popular for families who wish to memorialize a pet that died.

When ordering heart-shaped garden stones, remember that they come in various sizes and weights. Make sure to take into consideration when ordering. Heart-shaped garden stones are a great way to dedicate a memorial garden or special tree, bush or flower planting.
Urn Garden

Memorial Service Ideas: Snow Drop Flower

snow drop flower

The fragile beauty of the snowdrop flower pushes through the harsh elements to reveal the promise of brighter days and rebirth.

Snowdrop is one of the first bulbs to bloom in the early Spring. Usually they’ll appear January thru April and can form impressive carpets of white blossoms.  Snowdrops spread, but are not invasive, so that if you come back to the same spot year after year you may feel lifted at the sight of their patient, modest increase. A gardener friend tells me there are many places around the country where they have established themselves for more than a hundred years.

snow drop flower Painswick Garden, U.K.
Painswick Garden, U.K.

Snowdrops and Carnations are both considered winter flowers and might be two ideas to consider for a January memorial service , grave side or memorial garden planting. When the earth begins to warm in the spring, a memorial stone or tree dedication could be added to personalize the sacred spot.

white carnation funeral wreath