Question
I live in Newark, Ohio and I'm looking for a perennial that can be planted at my husbands grave that wont spread alot or grow very tall. I've planted dwarf roses at a friends grave and had fairly good success but they seemed to spread alot. I need something that continues to bloom alot.

Answer
Hi Kitty,
Thanx for your question.  It's hard to find a perennial that will bloom all summer long but there are some that will bloom for long periods of time.  Stella d'oro day lilies will eventually spread but you can have someone dig them up for you every three years and thin them out.  Sage can get rather tall but it is pretty, soft gray and blue.  Coral bells will usually stay in one place for a long time.  Yarrow will stay in one place but can sometimes grow to 2.5 to 3 feet tall.  Coreopsis can get tall but blooms a long time.  Pinks (dianthus) are lower growing, slower to spread and bloom for long periods of time.  Most perennials will spread out after a few years.  I hope this helps.
Tom