know about flowering plants? looking for suggestion for memorial planting ...?

Question

memorial garden located in Georgia, so the climate does not involve a harsh winter zone. The plant requirements are: "small, shade-loving plant, shade-tolerant and drought tolerant".

other attributes that we'd like to consider: petite, lovely, long-lived (perennial), feminine, strong. possibly purple?

Thank you in advance for suggestions!

Answer 1

The pale blue Amsonia grows well in some shade and lights dark areas. They are known as Bluestars. They are known for their pale autumn color. Plant Delights Nursery, North Carolina, has ‘Short Stack’ and the Georgia native species, Amsonia ciliata, for sale. Either would be perfect for a Georgia memorial. Amsonia hubrichtii may be to big but is my favorite.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/learning/publications/plantsman/0605/amsonia.asp
http://www.plantdelights.com/cgi-bin/simplesearch.pl
http://www.tripplebrookfarm.com/iplants/Amsonia.html
http://www.plantdelights.com/
Epimedium or Bishops Hat do very well in drier soil beneath trees. They are evergreen with delicate figured leaves. Flowers are small and early standing well above the foliage on wire fine stems. The can be found in rose or lavender but no true purple.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plantprofile_epimedium.shtml
http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Fall/page37.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~darrellpro/

Evergreen Bergenia is another under appreciated plant.
I grow Bergenia omeiense 'Snow Chimes' It has panicles of nodding white that become light pink with time. Anemone blanda 'White Splendor' makes a perfect companion bloom with a similar flower grouping but contrasting foliage.

I also have Bergenia hybrid of Chinese species omeiense 'Appleblossom' White blossoms turning pink with a darker throat on red stems. Flower spikes of large 1.5" light pink (not dark like pepto bismol) bells. The leave lie very flat so the bronzed Fall color is very obvious.
Grow these with purple black or smoky purple flowered hellebore. http://www.hellebores.org/
http://www.hellebores.org/gallery.html
http://www.plantdelights.com/Tony/hellebores.html

Answer 2

I would suggest, dwarf azaleas. That would fill the bill for all of your criteria including, Georgia zone, shade & drought tolerant, small, flowering, lovely, perennial, feminine, purple and strong. Remember to add peat moss and use fertilizer for acid loving plants. That will make a nice memorial planting. Good luck!

Answer 3

A small bush hebe with tiny leaves and blue/mauve flowers sounds as if it would thrive in such a place.

Answer 4

Forget me not, lungwort, bleeding heart, dwarf lilac

Answer 5

hostas impatiens spiderwort bleeding heart begonias naked lady lilies certain wildflowers