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Hi,
This is a bit of an odd question I suppose but I have a really small patio /
courtyard type garden, which gets a lot of sun. Recently my dog died.

My condolances. I just lost my Little Bear a month ago myself.

We
will get his ashes back later this week and I am going to plant them in a
massive post with a small tree - you know as a memorial.

Not to cause you any more grief, but you might want to check your local
ordinances. Around here, you are not legally permitted to bury a pet in
your yard; even if cremated.

I'll still be putting a memorial out next to one of our trees. I have a Dapple
Dandy Pluot for Rusty gone a year and a half now and a Flavor King Pluot for
Little Bear. I have a Flavor Queen Pluot for Pussface who is getting on in years.
Kodiak will get the Flavor Delight Aprium for his tree when he goes.

I have other trees that will be dedicated to my future pets until it's my time
to go. Since it's illegal to bury the pets here, not to mention the next owner of
this place might just tear out the trees/memorials for whatever reason, and
I couldn't bear the thought of my pets remains being tossed in the trash, it's
stipulated in my will that all my pets remains are to be buried with me. They are
presently in urns on the mantel. Little Bear's urn:

http://www.angelashes.com/products/oe/oe_phf_1.php#

it's the large, hand painted, picture frame model.


Any advice as to which trees would work well?

It would help to know your local climate/area.

I want something that will be hardy throughout summer and winter and will
not need to be moved inside in frosts. I am thinking of something that wont
really grow above a metre and a half in height.

Given any thought to a shrub?

I was thinking perhaps a rose tree or some sort of palm tree?

I know this is an odd question, but I know virtually nothing about gardening
and hoped that someone out there could help me?

The question gets asked occaisionally. With some more information, this group
should be able to give you some pointers.

Things to think about:

Evergreen or deciduous?

High maintenence or low maintenence? I consider roses high maintenence
because of disease and insect problems. OTOH, nothing is maintenence free.
Even silk flowers and plastic plants have to be dusted.

Fruit or no fruit?

Flowering large flowers non-flowering or small flowers ?

Scents of any kind: from flowers, leaves, bark

Will a 'messy' tree/shrub be a problem? fruit/leaf litter

Are there any local regulations to comply with zoning ordinances, health,
association covenants ?

Will the tree/shrub get the same amount of sun how many hours a day
is a lot of sun? during it's lifetime? Or are there trees nearby which will
grow to cut off it's sunlight?

What kind of water can you give it?

What kind of soil do you have?

I know these are a lot of questions to ask somebody who knows little about
gardening but they need to be addressed if what ever you plant is to do well
and live a long time.

Maybe a gardening neighbor can help you with some of these, or a local
agriculture office.

Some places that may be of help:


http://directory.google.com/Top/Regi...ness_and_Econo
my/Shopping/Home_and_Garden/Gardens/Plants/Trees,_Shrubs_and_Hedging/

or http://tinyurl.com/3cpdw same as above, only shorter



Thanks

Rach



Again, my condolances on your loss.

Bill