Home Page Memorial Trees from TreeGivers.com

Use Garden Stones in Your Memorial Garden

When you decide to design and plant your Hope Patch garden, using a garden stone or garden sign is an excellent way to remind yourself and others what your garden is all about. With a variety of shapes, sizes and themes, it’s easy to find garden stones and garden signs that fit the look and theme you want to display.

Garden stones are exactly that -- natural or artificial rocks that are engraved with figures or phrases. For example, garden stones may include designs of plants, leaves, animals (such as squirrels, rabbits, racoons, turtles or frogs), butterflies, fairies and more.

Engraved stones may have names, words or inspirational phrases embedded in them. Garden stones are often placed face-up in a flat area in or near a garden. Smaller garden stones (3"-4" in size) may be displayed on a rack that is fixed in the garden.

Garden stones may be natural stones or artificial ones. Natural stones are often harvested from river beds, quarries or other rock formation. Designs or phrases on natural stones may be chiseled, sand blasted or hammered.

Garden stones often are used for family remembrances or garden memorials for those who have passed on. Craftsmanship is a key quality of those who carve natural garden stones, so don't be surprised if you have to wait four weeks after ordering a custom design. The wait is worth it for the right supplier.

Artificial garden stones may be cast from concrete, resin, or another substance. Resins have greater durability and tend to last longer. Gray or brown dye is used in the resin which often receives anti-fading treatment.

Cast stone is designed to appear like natural limestone, marble and granite. Most often, cast stone replicates the look of limestone.

Garden Path Stones can be either natural or artificial stones that are pressed into the ground and provide a path to or through a garden. Versed Stepping Stones include a verse or a series of verses that are used as a path in a garden.

Stone Markers are often used to mark a special plant or flower or a dedication to a friend or loved one in a garden.

Garden Signs serve a similar purpose to garden stones by marking a garden but are different in their placement. Garden signs are often suspended above a garden, like a mini-billboard, to see the sign at a distance.

Garden signs come in standard and custom shapes, sizes and letterings. For example, engraved wooden signs may be routed and painted with names, phrases and even pictures (like flowers.)

Garden Memorial Rocks are special large rocks that are often used to comemorate a deceased person or pet. Several standard wording includes phrases like "In memory of a faithful friend and companion" or "if tears could build a stairway..."

Where to Get Custom Garden Stones

RockIt Creations, Council, ID produces one-of-kind engraved garden stones of different shapes and sizes, depending on the number of letters and size desired. The company hand-selects premium river rock from various places around the country, as well as using slate, polished granite and marble, bluestone, and some sandstone.

Statue.com, Edwardsville, IL provides a variety of natural, colorful and novelty stepping stones of various materials and themes. Examples include garden sun, fossils, Frank Lloyd Wright, flowers, puzzle, animals and more.

StoneWise.com, Shady Cove, OR offers stock rocks or custom engraved stones. Sizes are mini, small, medium or large custom stones. Uses river rock cobble or flat jacks and Connecticut blue.

The Comfort Company, Geneva, IL is the largest retailer of memorial garden stepping stones in the U.S. You can get remembrance stones personalized with a person or pet's name.

No matter what you grow in your Hope Patch, a garden stone or garden sign can add a touch of distinction and purpose to your memorial garden.

Use Garden Stones in Your Memorial Garden

Other Articles on Memorial Gifts