People garden for a multitude of reasons: beautification of their property, satisfaction of growing their own food, therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature, and the sense of accomplishment when plants thrive. Gardening also provides an opportunity to express creativity and personal style through designing landscapes and arranging plants. A garden can be all that and more.

Common considerations when designing a garden include plant color, texture or size. A garden might be focused on personal values such as the importance of using native plants and protecting pollinators. However, a garden also can be a place of remembrance of family, friends and events.

Some gardening friends shared plant nostalgia:

• “When I see tiger lilies I think of my fifth grade teacher who shared bulbs with her students. I have since planted them in my yard and they bloom every year!”

• “I have vivid memories of both grandmothers growing the most beautiful, scented peonies in Illinois and I’ve been successful growing them in Colorado. Their aroma instantly takes me back to visits with my beloved grandmothers.”

• “My grandmother used herbs with isopropyl alcohol for a rub when we were sick, and used calendula to make a salve for wounds. Now I plant both and continue this practice in her memory.”

• “At the age of 7 my teacher gave me a packet of Heavenly Blue Morning Glory seeds. I planted them and they grew! And they were ‘heavenly.’ I have had them in my yard every year since and I will be 62 in July! I think about that teacher every year when they bloom.”

• “My grandma grew geraniums. Lots of geraniums! She would over-winter them on a plank over her bathtub. It made taking a bath a bit of an ordeal. I always plant a variety of geraniums.”

• “My entire garden is a “Friendship” garden! Gardeners are very generous when it comes to sharing plants. As I walk through my garden, I am reminded of which friend shared which plant.”

• “I’ve included a statuary of St Francis, patron saint of animals, in my garden to commemorate my faithful companion of 12 years. I smile each time I walk by it.”

• “My grandmother grew snapdragons and would let me pick a blossom to ‘snap.’ I am going to pass this tradition along to my grandson!”

• “Grandmother always grew pansies, which have become one of my favorite spring flowers. I often plant some on the anniversary of my husband’s passing.”

A garden can be a tribute to lost or living loved ones — a place of solace and healing and a way to manage grief. It can be a place of peace and gratitude for the people and events in our lives.

Walk through your garden. What memories surface?

Submit gardening questions to [email protected] or call 719-520-7684. The in-person help desk is open 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visit elpaso.extension.colostate.edu and register for upcoming classes at epcextension.eventbrite.com.