DU Gardeners! Your expert input, please!

[Habibi]

My siblings and I are going to have a private ceremony this summer, burying my mother's ashes (she died at Christmas). We are burying her ashes on my sister's property. There is already a dogwood planted there (one of Mom's faves), and I would like to plant a perennial in that spot. But what can you plant in late August (when the ceremony takes place)? My sister lives in upstate New York (Albany area), so some plants that are perennials further south are only "hardy annuals" up there. Is it too late/too early to plant rose bushes? How about bleeding hearts (another of Mom's favorites)?

If it were later, say October, I'd go for bulbs, but late August is too early for those. Note that I won't be getting back there in the fall, so August is it. Mums? Your suggestions welcome!

[Lindacooks]

1. Actually, late summer/early fall is a great time to plant.

Plant any perennial or shrub you like. I love bleeding hearts and have them all over (I'm in Minnesota, Zone 4) so you could even transplant one that your sister has grown. Check with a local nursery to find really hardy plants, especially those that are bred for that area.

[Habibi]

6. Thank you!

That's heartening--my mother loved bleeding hearts! I guess I was under the impression you had to plant most perennials in the fall or the spring--not late summer. But I'm mostly a tomato-and-pepper gardener, so I don't know from flowers.

[Lindacooks]

12. You're quite welcome.

You're doing a lovely thing in your mom's memory.

[Gloria]

2. Well, if it's already getting cooler up there, you might try to do a

"fall planting" in late August. Someone would have to make sure it got watered regularly.

Or, you could put a plant in a pot (maybe keep it in it's container, but put it in a larger pot which would help keep it cooler), and plant it a bit later...but it still needs watering.

Either way, it's going to need tending until the roots are established. Why not consult with a local nursery to find a plant that might be easier to plant at that time??

[Habibi]

5. I'll do that

for some reason I wasn't taking the expertise of local nursery folk into consideration, I guess because I'm only going to be in the area for a few hours. But perhaps I can get my sister to ask for me.

Just thought I'd bring it up here, anyway.

As for it getting cooler up there by then, who knows? Upstate New York weather is inevitably unpredictable. We're still waiting for summer, here in Rochester.

[Nite Owl]

3. Sorry about your mom.

I live just north of Albany. Moved here almost two years ago and we've planted dozens of perenials. All have come back and grown. Roses were here already but I think you can plant them anytime. Bleeding hearts came back this year. Some beautiful daisies would grow easily and need little care. My son knows the names of all the stuff but he's out so if you want I'll send you an e-mail later when he gets home.

[Habibi]

7. Thanks!

[DemoTex]

4. I have seen entire yards landscaped in Dallas' August heat (101-F)

With hearty stock from the nursery and adequate watering the viability of a perennial should be no problem. Go to a local nursery and explain your desires to a gardening expert. They can help you out. Do not go to Lowes, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, or Home Depot gardening centers. No one there knows shit-from-shinola. Pay a little more for good advice and health plant stock.

[Habibi]

9. Impressive.

I agree: I'll avoid the chain joints.

[Eye and Monkey]

8. Sympathies. Perhaps it'd be good to check with local nurseries.

They should have very good ideas about the choices that will do best in the area.

[Habibi]

10. Thanks.

Looks like consulting the local horticultural constabulary is the preferred method of gathering info. I'm on it!

[BensMom]

11. Sorry about your loss..

I would check with the local county extension agent. They will steer you in the right direction and they really know their stuff.

A rose would be very nice - some types are very easy to grow and will bloom for many years. Have you thought about a bench or sitting area?