Unlike a garden bed, a grave usually cannot be watered every day. This guide presents low-maintenance grave plants that thrive despite full sun and little water.
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Lasting greenery for the summer grave
Although relatives regularly visit the cemetery, changes sometimes become noticeable within a very short time. In addition to heat resistance and drought tolerance, gardeners should therefore not resort to fast-growing plants. Ground covers are excellent for grave planting to prevent visible weeds. Likewise, the plants you choose should be pest and disease resistant.
If you want colorful flowers to decorate the grave all summer without a lot of maintenance, it is worth using different types with different flowering times. This saves a constant renewal of the summer grave planting. The following list of suitable species provides information, among other things, about the respective flowering times.
15 suitable species for summer grave planting
Bärenfellgras (Festuca scoparia)
- Growth form: ground cover
- Flowering period: July to August
- Flower color: green-yellow panicles
- Growth height: up to 30 cm
Although the bearskin grass brings only a few color accents to the grave, it still looks attractive thanks to its needle-shaped foliage. In addition to little water, the plant generally requires little care. If you want to cover the entire grave with the small tuffs, divide the root ball for independent propagation. Not only this possibility of multiplication makes the summer grave planting a permanent greening. The sweet grass is perennial and hardy.
Blauschwingel (Festuca cinerea)
- Growth form: ground cover
- Flowering period: June to July
- Flower color: yellowish-brown
- Growth height: 10 to 25 cm
Appearance and undemanding make the blue fescue a very popular summer grave planting. It easily withstands short periods of drought. On the other hand, the ornamental grass reacts sensitively to waterlogging. Dry, barren and nutrient-poor soils like those found in a grave are therefore highly recommended.
Neither is winter protection required. The perennial plant also appears in the following year with its impressive cushion-like growth. Especially in spring, the foliage shines impressively in a bluish hue. The color fades by summer, but small yellow-brown flowers appear on the hemispheres.
Fettblatt / Fetthenne (Sedum)
- Growth form: ground cover
- Flower color: yellow, white, pink, purple
- Flowering period: June to September
- Growth height: 5 to 20 cm
The sedum plant only requires care when it is planted once. The plant is best planted in small tuffs on the grave in spring or early summer. For rapid rooting, we recommend using special planting soil so that the ground cover receives enough nutrients. A well-drained soil is important, as the stonecrop tolerates drought better than moist soil. To protect against complete drying out, a mulch layer is suitable, which protects the substrate from the sun all around. On graves, for example, this can be integrated in the form of a small path.
Fire sage (Salvia splendens)
- Growth habit: short stature
- Flowering period: June to September
- Flower color: red, purple or pink
- Growth height: 30 to 40 cm
The fire sage is unfortunately only annual. It is therefore suitable for anyone who wants to make the grave varied from year to year. Its fiery red flowers are sure to draw attention. During its flowering period, the plant enjoys full sun. The plant thrives even better if special soil for herbs or vegetables is added to the substrate.
Flammendes Käthchen (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
- Growth form: Succulent
- Flowering time: April to June
- Flower color: yellow, orange, red or pink
- Growth height: 30 to 40 cm
The Flammende Käthchen is actually native to Madagascar. There it grows as a shrub or even reaches the height of a small tree. Originally, its flowers glowed scarlet. This beautiful appearance is probably the reason why Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is so popular. Breeders have now succeeded in growing a miniature variety that is ideal as a summer grave plant. The flower color is no longer limited to the original shape, but provides bright color accents. Thick, dark green and fleshy leaves further underline the luminosity of the flower. They also have the ability to store water for a long time and protect themselves from drying out.
Hauswurz/Dachwurz (Sempervivum)
- Growth form: ground cover
- Flowering period: June to July
- Flower color: various (yellow, red, lilac, dark violet)
- Growth height: 5 to 10 cm
The recurring houseleek adorns the grave all year round. In summer, however, the rosettes show their most beautiful side, when a delicate flower adorns the small, compact plants. A location in full sun is required. In addition, the soil should be very lean, dry and not too humic.
Hussar’s head (Sanvitalia procumbens)
- Growth form: upright
- Flowering period: April to September
- Flower color: yellow
- Growth height: 25 to 35 cm
By preventing waterlogging, relatives create the conditions for the hussar ‘s head to form a beautiful, dense carpet on the grave. The annual plant not only inspires with a herbaceous growth, but also with a very long flowering period. Full sun and lack of water present no difficulties.
Midday Gold (Gazania)
- Growth form: upright
- Flowering period: June to October
- Flower color: various
- Growth height: 20 to 30 cm
The Mittagsgold , also known as Sonnentaler, is the ideal summer grave plant for locations in full sun. In the shade, it even refuses to bloom brightly. The flower also requires very little care.
Pelargonien (Pelargonium)
- Growth form: upright
- Flowering period: June to September
- Flower color: various, uni, two-tone, striped or patterned
- Growth height: 25 to 40 cm
Relatives can enrich the grave with the pelargoniums, which are available in many varieties, with little maintenance. The plants belong to the cranesbill family and can easily cope with dry soil. They bloom all summer long in the sun.
Polsterthymian (Thymus)
- Growth form: ground cover
- Flowering period: June to August
- Flower color: pink or white
- Growth height: 5 to 20 cm
Since the cushion thyme copes wonderfully with drought, it makes a popular addition to rock gardens and graves. However, it is important that the soil is well drained. The plant spreads out on the ground like a carpet. In the summertime, the grave lights up either in pink or white. This appearance harmonizes impressively with roses.
Richmond-Begonie (Begonia x richmondensis)
- Growth form: hanging
- Flowering period: June to September
- Flower color: light pink
- Growth height: 25 to 40 cm
The Richmond Begonia is extremely easy to care for and does not require a lot of water. It is one of the most popular summer plants ever. Bright rose to pink flowers with a golden center appear in many gardens. Why shouldn’t this summer grave planting beautify the cemetery too?
Star Moss (Sagina subulata)
- Growth form: ground cover
- Flowering period: June to August
- Flower color: white
- Growth height: approx. 5 cm
The star moss is an exception among the recommended ground covers for the summer grave. Since it quickly turns into a dense carpet by self-sowing, the planting should be carefully considered. However, if you have time to keep the growth in a visually appealing form, but instead want to water the grave plantings as little as possible, Sagina subulata is a good choice. The hardy perennial also feels at home on fresh, mineral and well-drained soil without much water. The maintenance effort is rewarded with beautiful, star-shaped flowers. They may seem inconspicuous individually, but in large numbers they are a great sight.
Strand-Silberkraut (Lobularia maritima)
- Growth form: ground covering
- Flowering period: June to September
- Flower color: white to purple
- Growth height: 15 to 30 cm
Seacress, alyssum or scented stonecress , the seaweed has many names. Quite the opposite of its water requirements, which are commendably low. Only on very hot days does the plant need a little water to replenish its reserves. If you pay attention to this, you can look forward to a dense carpet of small white flowers all year round, some of which turn into a light violet.
Studentenblume (Tagetes)
- Growth form: upright
- Flowering period: June to October
- Flower color: yellow, orange to red
- Growth height: 30 to 50 cm
Drought or heavy downpours – thanks to its South American origin, the marigold is used to both extremes of weather and adapts optimally to the conditions. In addition, the bright flower inspires, which not only beautifies graves, but also provides insects with nectar.
Magic snow (Euphorbia hybrids “Diamant Frost”)
- Growth form: upright
- Flowering period: May to September
- Flower color: white
- Growth height: 35 to 45 cm
A brilliant white blanket of snow covering the grave does not mean that winter is coming. On the contrary, the magic snow enchants graves and beds all summer long. Not even cleaning is necessary, let alone a regular water supply.
