Symbolism of cemetery plants: How flowers, trees and other botanical motifs honor those buried beneath

Symbolism of cemetery plants: How flowers, trees and other botanical motifs honor those buried beneath

The popularity of rural cemeteries spurred the development of the first city parks. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty ImagesIf you visit a cemetery, look closely and you’ll likely notice many flowering plants – adorning the graves, or maybe even carved into headstones. As a horticulture Extension specialist and frequent geocacher, I often visit cemeteries in urban and rural areas across the country. The plants seen in cemeteries vary by cli…

How flowers, trees and other botanical motifs honor those buried beneath

If you visit a cemetery, look closely and you’ll likely notice many flowering plants – adorning the graves, or maybe even carved into headstones. As a horticulture Extension specialist and frequent geocacher, I often visit cemeteries in urban and rural areas across the country. The plants seen in cemeteries vary by climate as well as local history and culture. They are planted with purpose, often serving as symbols for the physical and spiritual…