1. The slide show set looks at the design of cemeteries, and some of the meanings behind the plantings in our heritage cemeteries.

2.  Before the 1800, most burials in were in churchyards and only some of these burials were marked with a headstone.  The model for the new cemeteries was the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, which opened in Paris in 1804. The cemetery featured individual memorial headstones placed in a naturalistic environment.  From the 1840s onwards the solution came to be the multi or non-denominational cemeteries established by town councils rather than the small churchyard managed by the church.  An increase in population in the early 1800s placed increasing stress on churchyards that were already overcrowded.

3.  Cemetery design was strongly influenced by J.C.Louden, an English professional landscape gardener.  Louden advocated the use of traditional and melancholy plantings such as the yew and cypress.  Louden suggested creating cemeteries that would improve “the moral sentiments and general tastes of the populace” as well as be “ an impressive memento to our mortality” and “by their botanical riches cultivate the intellect”.

4.  The picturesque cemetery design was advocated with curving pathways in a park like setting of trees.  The map shows the layout of a picturesque style cemetery at Dunedin’s Northern Cemetery. The photo shows the what it looks like to visit Dunedin’s Southern Cemetery also a picturesque design.

5.  The map shows the layout of the formal style cemetery at Addington, Christchurch.  The photo shows the what it looks like to visit a formal style cemetery at Rutherford St., Cemetery (Woolston), Christchurch.

6.  Individual plots were sold to those who wished or needed to purchase them. Once individual families purchased a plot they were able to choose how it was covered.  Few plot plantings have survived the weed killers used by cemetery authorities to keep cemeteries tidy but some do remain.  Many families planted Grandma’s favourite rose, or bulbs from Mum’s garden beside lost loved ones. But many plants that expressed the hope of resurrection, immortality, sorrow and loss and these were also planted.

7.  Many families planted the earth plots with cuttings from roses, seedlings from easily grown evergreen trees such as yew and bulbs such as daffodils.  Tending the plot plantings was for many a practical way of continuing the close bonds between the living and the deceased.

8.  Many families planted the plots with bulbs that were saved from their own gardens when plants were divided.  Blue match heads have been planted in special flower pots that adorn the fence of this plot.

9.  Cuttings of rosemary, Mum’s favourite rose, a cutting of ivy as a symbol of attachment, friendship and undying affection were brought from the garden at home.

10.  Plot plantings of evergreens such as yew and cypress are very common in heritage cemeteries.  Evergreens were frequently planted either side of a headstone or in all four corners of a plot. Some covered plots even left special spaces for trees to be planted.  The yew is a hardy tree that grows easily from seedlings that germinate in the garden.  Yews were often planted to beautify paths and walkways and provide vista plantings.

11.  Like headstone decorations and epitaphs many plants were used to decorate plots and add meaning and deepen the significance of a death.  Many plants symbolised particular qualities and personal attributes. Others had an underlying religious significance.

12.  Rosemary is symbolic of remembrance. It is often planted on graves.  A rosemary bush grows beside the Otago Boys’ High School Memorial Archway. A sprig from this bush plays a significant part in the annual school Anzac service.

13.  Because ivy is eternally green it is associated with immortality and fidelity.  Ivy is not able to support itself, but depends upon trees and walls on which to climb. Once it has gained a hold it is hard to separate it from its support. This growth habit makes it a symbol of attachment, friendship and undying affection.

14.  The yew has been planted in cemeteries for many hundreds of years. In the middle ages church parishes were compelled to plant yews to provide good wood for bows. The cemetery was often the best and most undisturbed place to do this.  The elongated form gives the impression of spires pointing towards heaven.  The dark green leaves symbolise resurrection and immortality.  Trees like art motifs have come to have particular meanings over time.

15.  The cypress has been associated with life and death for centuries dating back to pre-Christian times.  These two old cypresses flank a much worn headstone in Dunedin’s Northern Cemetery.  The dark ever-green leaves symbolise solemnity, longevity, resurrection and immortality and its sticky resin symbolises incorruptibility.

16.  The holly is said to be one of the trees (along with the oak) whose wood was used to make the Cross on which Jesus was crucified. The holly is therefore a symbol of the passion of Christ, the resurrection and immortality.  Above is a planting of four pruned holly bushes on fours of a grave. To the right are two un-pruned hollys.

17.  Plantings of roses are common in our cemeteries.  White roses are usually planted where young children or young women have died. White and pink roses are usually associated with women and darker coloured roses, such as purples and reds are planted on the graves of men.  Roses express different ideas depending on their colour and flower shape. A rose with a single row of petals symbolises simplicity. A white rose symbolises innocence and purity.

18.  This memorial above is located near the Avon River by the Worcester Street Bridge in Christchurch and is dedicated to Kate Shepherd and the campaigners for votes for women in New Zealand in the 1890s.  A headstone for Kate Shepherd can be found at Addington Cemetery surrounded on these sides by a box hedge and a pair of camellia bushes flanking the headstone.  The box symbolises stoicism. The camellia symbolises perfected loveliness. The white camellia symbolises unpretending excellence.

19. In Spring blood red poppies bloomed on the battlefields of the First World War. The poppy has come to symbolise those who have served and died in war.

20.  Because plants symbolise particular qualities and personal attributes or have religious significance they are often given or planted as commemorations and memorials.  Others are planted in conjunction with or to add significance to a memorial.  Some memorial plantings stand alone such as the memorial oaks in Oamaru.

21.  The Oak is the king of trees and has been a sacred tree used in religious rituals since pre-Christian times. The oak symbolises strength, endurance, eternity, honour, liberty, faith and virtue. The Levant Oak lays claim to being one of the trees that was made into Jesus’ cross.  The oaks pictured above were planted along both sides of Severn Street in Oamaru to commemorate men from the district who died in WW1.

22.  A special memorial Oak tree can be found in the grounds of Timaru Boys’ High School. This Oak was given to Jack Lovelock (New Zealand Olympic athlete) as a tiny seedling by Adolf Hitler in 1936.  Lovelock won the gold medal for the 1,500 metre race in record time. The tree was planted in the grounds of his old secondary school.

23.  These four large nikau palms stand sentinel on the four corners of the Akaroa War Memorial just as the young cadets in the photo above stand sentinel for the posy laying ceremony at the Andersons Bay Soldiers’ Cemetery held each ANZAC Day.  The palm is symbolic of victory that is Victory in the 1914 – 1918 war.