Beginner Gardening: Ok to plant Java Red Weigela now (late July)?, 0 by CrazyWheaten

CrazyWheaten wrote:
I saw my cousin's Minuet Weigela a week ago, fell in love, ran out to the nursery and bought 3 Java Reds. Then I realized.... I have no clue what I'm doing... I posted on another board asking if it's ok to plant them so late in the season and the response I got was that it would be a bad idea as temps in Chicago have been around 90 this month and to wait until mid-September. Would you agree with this? Just keep them potted until mid-September and kept in the shade? Also, as I said I purchased 3. The space I'm looking to put them in is approx. 6 ft. wide and my goal is to shape them over the next several years into a hedge as my cousin did. The guy at the nursery said they would fit "fine" in that space and to plant approx. 1 1/2 ft. apart. Is this right or is that too close together? ANY help/suggestions/ideas is so greatly appreciated!!