Tree or bush in memory of baby grandson

Granb hope you can find everything you want. It's going to be a lovely memorial with all the love and care you are putting into it

Thank you again for all comments. Am going to garden centre today armed with list and credit card!

I was recently in a NT garden where snowdrops combined with yellow winter aconites to form a lovely carpet beneath the trees - birches if my memory serves me.

The idea of snowdrops is a lovely one, Granb, and I am so sorry to hear your sad news. We have mahonias in our garden which are evergreen, tall but not overwhelming in a smallish space, and have lovely yellow blooms around Christmas time, which have a delicate perfume. The flowers are followed by purple berries which attract the birds. Easy to care for and flower every year without fail.
Wishing you all the love and strength to get through this time together.

Granb my grandson was stillborn - my daughter is pregnant again which is why I'm hoping to be a nanna soon - I would echo the idea of hellebores they are so darn beautiful when everything else is often windblown and covered in snow.

I came across this thread when looking for something in the gardening section and it just caught me on the raw, bringing tears to my eyes. Granb we have a tree, planted in memory of my son in law, so I know from experience that you will find great comfort in having a special place of remembrance for your little grandson. The loss of a newborn is very hard for all the family, but especially so for the parents I think. When my baby brother died (he was four months old) people expected us to 'get over it' quickly, simply because he was so young. I hope the people around your family have been more sensitive and that.

For the tree I would suggest a birch with striking bark, for year round interest. Although your grandson's life was dreadfully short, your love and sadness will be long-lasting. The idea of your underplanting with snowdrops etc. is perfect, and dappled shade from a birch would be perfect for them.
www.google.com/images?client=ms-palm-webOS&channel=iss&q=ornamental%20birch&sa=X&oi=image_result_group

Mini cyclamen would look sweet among the flowers too.

Thank you so much for the suggestions.

OH also likes the idea of a dwarf weeping willow which would look pretty sweet underplanted with snowdrops and perhaps some early white crocuses. If we are careful we can also interplant with some miniature roses - could therefore have flowers (albeit individually short-lived) for most of the season. That way we should be able to keep it all going and either move/take cuttings if a house move is ever on the cards.

The birds strip the amelanchier in minutes but it is a lovely little tree, I agree.

Our amelanchier is flowering at the moment. It is a many branched large bush - more like a small tree - and covered with delicate white flowers. it looks like it is dusted with light. It only lasts about 10 days though. In the autumn it flares with red colour - and it produces berries, which the birds absolutely love.

You have my sympathy - what a sad thing to happen.

"something that flowers magnificently but only for a short time " what a perfect thought for a little boy whom you had for such a short time.
I too would think of a bank of snowdrops but maybe also winter flowering jasmine perhaps?
Or if you really want a tree, rowan or mountain ash might be nice as they can have red berries in late autumn. Whatever you choose, he will be remembered with much love. Every sympathy granb and a {{{hug}}}

Like chocolatepudding has mentioned, there is something very pure and innocent about a beautiful area filled with snowdrops. The remembrance garden next to our nearby special care baby unit is called the Snowdrop Garden. A delicate sculpture of a child surrounded by lovely flowers under a small tree could also look lovely and be a focal point. I am sure you will decide on something that is perfect for you.

What about the Woodland trust-you can plant there any tree I think and then moving house etc wouldn't matter. There are a variety of places to choose from.

I am so sorry for your tragic loss. How about a Christmas Rose (helleborus). They don't always flower at Christmas of course, but a garden centre should be able to advise on the ones that do.

I would agree with JessM with the idea of a holly tree, but I think you have to plant 2 trees, one male and one female to get the berries. It is a very slow growing tree.

My daughter died in December 1976 and I have never forgotten the beautiful white hyacinths my father grew for me in a bowl. Since then I regularly buy bowls of hyacinths for their fragrance and with care reasonably long life. We have some land in the countryside which I have planted with thousands of snowdrops in memory of my daughter.

My MIL planted a rose garden and chose each one specially for each member of the family and celebrate anniversaries etc.

Why not plant a series of trees to have interest throughout the year?

oh I am sorry that is very sad. how about rosemary for remembrance?

Ah that is very sad. What about a copper beech tree - or would that be too big. No flowers but a long season of colourful foliage and a long living tree.
Most of the winter flowering things are shrubby rather than tree-y.
A varigated holly tree maybe. One that will eventually get berries at that time of year (they don't all). I would take some professional advice if you have a specific location in mind.

Some of the flowering cherries (prunus) have flowers on bare branches in Jan/Feb, but they are a bit boring the rest of the year.