Sweet Autumn clematis might be a candidate, but I don't know if you will get much flowering first year. I'm not sure of exact timing.

Dahlias are not very wildflower-ish, but they are great in September and very reliable.

Many roses are great in September too, but not sure which ones. Uncanoonuk Mt. Perennials in Goffstown has tons of hardy roses and could probably help you find the right ones.

But you will have the same problem with getting good flowering the first year.

Annuals are usually the answer to the first-year problem, but they are typically not so great by September, except of course mums.

Dahlias are typically started now indoors in pots.

Oh... 2008 Missed that.

ALso, Clematis Huldine would be great if there's an arbor involved. Mine reblooms in September. I would plant 3 on each side of the arbor planted in great soil, from good sized starter plants (check out Joy Creek). They would have a good chance to be floriferous enough for next year.

Huldine is beautiful from underneath too. This was planted fall '04 from a very small plant. This picture was taken last year on Sept 3. I suggested 3 on each side of the arbor to increase the odds of hitting the Sept 20 mark. Although, in September blooms usually last a lot longer than in July, so you will probably hit the mark.

I do think large pots of annuals may be best for reliability, but you could try Rose of Sharon or any other hibiscus in white. I know they don't look a lot like wild flowers. I don't know how large they would be a year from now. Also maybe try Boltonia, possibly phlox "David"? Congrats!

Montauk daisies? This is my first year for them, so I don't know exactly when they bloom, but I know it's later in the year. Maybe too late for September...? I think around here they bloom later than September, but maybe up in NH they might be a bit earlier.

:)
Dee

Fall Blooming whites... Phlox paniculata - I would pinch back when young to futher delay bloom, New England Aster, Aster novae-angliae, White mugwort Artemesia lactiflora,White Snakeroot Eupatorium rugosum,Boltonia. If you are really set on whites you might consider large drifts of annuals....white cleome, white cosmos, white ageratum, (save the money for the honeymoon) Oh how about white morning glory vine. Congratualations and good luck. kt

I second the Dahlias suggestion and though you could start them now indoors you don't have to. If you plant them outside once chance of frost has passed they should be up and blooming by Sept. In Francestown mine are good until Oct. Plus you can find many white varieties at online places. Good luck and congrats!

What about some Japanese anemones -- like Honorine Jobert? Not a wildflower, but tall, willowy, and a beautiful fall bloomer. That said, they will spread over time -- not invasively, but you wouldn't want to ignore them for the next 10 years....

Having lived in Keene, I was drawn to your post by the address, but then also by your "problem." My daughter is getting married in our garden this June 30th and I have the same worries .... what will be lush and in bloom by then? So I've done lots of winter research.

I would take people's suggestions of planting some of the taller perennial varieties up against the barn. Then in
front of these, you could place pots of plants that will get lush and full through the summer as you care for them (or the garden center cares for them). Finally try trailing, creeping annuals like Supertunia or white alyssum in the very front to spread along and up a little, covering the pots.

One annual you might want to consider planting is Cosmos. I planted some a few years ago, both pink and white, and they exploded. Some were 4 feet tall and all of them threw out babies. They have very lacy leaves and daisy-like blossoms that hold up well and are striking with other plants... esp. Russian Sage and Yarrow, which come in many colors.

Digitalis is a beautiful vertical plant and I agree with Japanese anemones, which are spectacular in the fall.

If you do get a clematis, try planting it first right in the (clay, I hope) pot. Dig down deeper and wider than the pot, put small drainage stones under it, then place the potted clematis in the hole & fill in all around. I found this is a good way to ease my clematis into my yard. The worst thing to happen would be that your clematis wilts from the transplant. Next season you can take it out of the pot and plant it directly back into that same hole.

Early Spring is a great time to scout around for information from the grower at your favorite garden centers. They have been a great source of tips and can even let you know when to come in and look at new arrivals.
Good luck with your special day!

Molie

Molie, I would respectfully disagree with the clematis planting suggestion. If there is going to be any transplant shock, better it be this year than next year. Plus, Huldine is a Group 3 and not in the "temperamental" clematis category with so many others. Its pretty tough and not subject to wilt. But always best to start off with as big a one as possible.

I don't believe sweet autumn clematis is temperamental either, but I have never grown it.

Absolutely right, wendyb, about transplant shock now rather than later and about getting as big a plant as possible, but I was under the impression that she was not planting on her own propety ... that the reception site was
somewhere else. Thus, I was thinking of a way for the bride-to-be to keep her own plant.

So, yes, "cb", plant the clematis in the ground if it's going in your own yard!

Molie

Thank you all for your suggestions for "CB". My date is 21 July and have been trying to get some ideas to decorate the deck overlooking the lake at the restuaurant we are using.
I truly never thought of planting and then being able to take the containers home afterwards! Thanks again for sharing!! Have a wonderful wedding CB!!
NavyMom Jean

Congratulations navymom,
My wedding anniversary is July 27th....oh god I am approaching 30 years!! Any way there are sooo many possibilities for you at that time of the year the annuals are in their glory and there are some perennials that are still going strong. What are your colors?? Do you want all of the flowers (bouquet, table top, boutonniere, ect.) to be the same flower, or different flower same color, ect. What is important to you? What will tie it all together? kt

Another suggestion for a white flower in peak bloom in late September - and has a wildflower feel - is aster mongolica. It's very hardy in New England, can get very tall (I pinch mine back in May and in June to keep them a little shorter, also delaying the bloom), and spreads easily. The flower is a sweet white button (picture lots of them), that has a lavendar hue at first blush and they self-deadhead. Who could ask for anything more?

Happy Weddings all!
Judye