Pansies should do fine in NYC until late Oct-early Nov. Does your family member want to plant perennials or only annuals? Million Bells are great bloomers all summer with lots of color. I also like angelonia for long season of bloom & nice height...marigolds never stop blooming, & come in a lot of different sizes......dahlias are nice for late summer & fall......Bulbs can be planted for the next 2 months in NYC.....As for shrubs, there are butterfly bushes that have a long bloom season, or wintergreen holly that has nice red berries in the winter......
