Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
From: Abington, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Perennial for cemetery plot in Massachusetts
Answered by: Nan Hampton
First, you should check with the authorities that own or manage the cemetery to be sure what, if anything, you can plant. Then, if they do allow plants, it would be a good idea to read this page and see what can happen with plants that flourish and obscure the gravestone and spread to other graves. Now, after you've checked out these sources, here are a few suggestions for native plants for your gravesite in the sun in Massachusetts:
Herbaceous perennials
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed)
Lupinus perennis (sundial lupine)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
Small Shrubs
Ceanothus herbaceus (Jersey tea)
Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (shrubby cinquefoil)
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
How do I prepare blackfoot daisies for winter in Austin, TX
October 19, 2010 - I have blackfoot daisies in my garden that have bloomed all summer. They are cascading out of the bed onto my lawn/grass. They have been so beautiful that I hate to cut them back. How do I prepare t...
view the full question and answer
Plants to stabilize sandy slope in Massachusetts
September 23, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smartypants,
I am working on a small public housing project in Chelmsford, MA, northwest of Boston. We have a steep, sunny and SANDY slope and I am stumped as to what to recommend that wi...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from Villa Hills KY
April 21, 2013 - Hello I have this plant but I don't know what it is. I want to know if it's edible or what it is. I think it's catnip.
view the full question and answer
Project on natives in Connecticut from Chino CA
April 13, 2010 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants,
My 10 yr. old daughter is doing a project on Ct., and would like to know what the most common plants, trees and flowers are found in this state. A few of each would be a great ...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for full sun in Gwinnett County, Georgia
June 23, 2007 - I'm writing to you from Gwinnett County Parks and Rec. at the Pinckneyville Community Center in Norcross, GA.
We are looking to plant our garden and are wondering if you have any suggestions for min...
view the full question and answer
![]() |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |