If you do decide to plant a memorial garden, pick an area that gets plenty of sunlight. Look at the shape and area of the garden. Will it be large and offset with a memorial tree or is the space more compact. Is there a wall that you can attach a memorial plaque or remembrance stone to be a center piece of the garden.
Look at flowers and plants that the person may have liked or alternatively go for colours that they liked.
I would recommend that your memorial garden has a no. of plants that flower at different times. Snowdrops, for the start of Spring. Daffodils for mid spring and Tulips for the start of the summer. Tea roses will provide colour late in to the fall as well. It is about finding a balance, so that these plats can provide ongoing colour at the memorial garden.
These plants are all perennial, which means that they come back year after year. This is what the symbolism of a memorial garden is all about.
Make sure that the ground in the garden is suitable. If it is very heavy, ie wet. You should add sand to make it more free draining. If it is very fine, and you live in an area with low rainfall, then why not add in some peat moss, or compost. This will enrich the soil and also store moisture in the memorial garden. Adding in rich compost is always advisable, as it will ensure good plant growth for years to come.
Memorial garden plants can be given as gifts from friends and family. It can be part of a shared effort.
As the Rose bushes grow, cuttings can be taken from the plants and given to friends and family to plant in their own gardens. It shares the experience, shares the healing.
I hope the creating a beautiful memorial garden is a process of hope, love and healing for you.