Yes I live in TN right along the TN-AL state line. The average temperature in June around here is between 85-95. I have had experience with gardening, but I am definitely not a PRO GARDENER. Everything that I have grown has always been from seeds and I have had pretty good luck with it. You are right that I will be planting TONS of annuals and even some perennials this coming spring to see how they do. I am going to plant the seeds starting at the first freeze and I'm going to plant a batch each week for a month (also I will start some in my cold frame) and I am going to keep up with the Plant Date and the Bloom Date of each batch of flowers. I also know that the conditions for each year will change when the plants bloom so I will be doing the same system for the summer of my wedding, but at least this summer I can get an idea of what may be available at the time of my wedding. Also I do have a back up plan. I also am making candles and cross stitching some items that I will give as favors (if the flowers bloom then they will be in addition to these items, but if not then I will just give the candle and bag as the favors. Also if I don't have any flowers that make it then the centerpieces with be vases with colored stones at the bottom and floating candles. I will splurge and get my bouquet and my bridesmaids at a florist if nothing will bloom. This is just my back up plan because I am sure I will be able to get something to bloom. I also found this website that sells seeds in bulk and since i have 20 acres I can plant plenty of seeds and hope that something makes it. http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/flower-seed/ Can you suggest any of these seeds or any other seeds for the colors and my location? Thanks

I've never grown in zone 5 - so can't help you there, but thinking that columbines are easy from seed and usually an "early" flower. Foxy foxglove - though short - is usually reliable first year from seed. MarthaStewart.com has a Gardening tab that has Browse Plants and under that you can choose to browse plants by bloom time (you may want to browse spring and summer). I'd definately check before you count on her list (they have a dahlia as spring - unless it's greenhouse grown wouldn't even be blooming for me in zone 9 in spring ..). List a tad tedious as lists different varieties - say of tulips in spring - but an easy enough browse. Keep a notepad and pen in the car and make notes this year of things you see in others gardens/parks in bloom in June that you like. Another GREAT resource is a book Container Gardening by Paul Williams - browse it at a borders or barnes. If you're into Netflix get Rebecca's gardening Container Gardening volume - really fantastic ideas from different places (denver botanic garden, this grower/designer/that one..). You may want to plan more textures/colors from leaves and such than flowers to have good looking containers no matter what. (see next comment). Consider using a lot of "house plants" in your containers as you can grow them larger indoors over the winter and June should be fine - coleus is one I wouldn't winter sow for the event (unless you're doing it now) - take cuttings to grow inside over the winter of 2008/2009. Easy plants like "wandering jew" can give you good greens for arrangements - you could give them a big cutback 6 weeks before - stick stems in water (they'll root - that easy) them trim the rooted water cuttings for table arrangements. Also for arrangements - think greens. Note what trees have leafed out that you can insert small branches of, which shrubs - which are variegated or have different colors. There's a variegated leaf weigela that should be "in leaf" if not bloom at that time that would be lovely. Go through a "what's the worst that could happen" exercise (this will help you approach the day more calmly - you DO want to enjoy it - as you'll have reconciled yourself to the thought that things may not go perfectly). Say Rain that day - then you have tents if needed. Crushing rain within the week prior - then you have torn up flowers of the ones that were in bloom - so plan that you can trim and - worst case - spread lots of bark mulch for a very neat look (know where's the best place for mulch ahead of time). Totally different winter next year than this - say it's much warmer earlier or very late cold snaps - all your timing's off. You've already figured out the best places you can pick up flats of annuals and bark mulch. And so forth. Have some $$ in the budget for last minute fixes. Trim all flowering buds off your plants through mid-late May (say roses I'd go to about 5 weeks before the date) - push the plant to bloom when you want where it's possible. Fertilize roses around 2nd/3RD week of May. Every now and again remind yourself you're not superwoman. Coordinating the reception will be huge - the garden only a piece of it. And, you want to have enough energy left to enjoy the day itself. Don't plan on too much last detail stuff for the garden (you mention this is your oldest daughter - siblings and friends of siblings who'd be cheap labor you can train this year on how to spread mulch? plant a flat of annuals? You WILL be busy! Keep us informed and in the loop as you go through your planning this summer (we all love this kind of post - it's so much fun!)

Hi - Good for you! I do this as well. I ask for a $50 deposit (and am thinking about making it non-refundable...it hasn't been an issue so far), applicable to their total flower purchase. I limit myself to 2 weddings per weekend. They use my buckets and return them. They also pick up their flowers at our farm. I do offer to do the bouquets/bouts/corsages if they think that might be a problem. The local B&Bs and caters are sending brides my way...so pursue those, as well as local harvest.org Good luck, Wendy

I am a florist with over twenty years experience. FTD is not a florist. FTD is an organization that florists belong too. FTD does not sell flowers, all orders through their website go to a local florist who is a member. Florist Transworld Delivery is what it stands for. Some member florists are over priced, some are not. Some are competent, some are not. I have worked for florists who took such horrid care of their cut flowers and plants that they are ripping off the public and should be shut down but the US does not license florists like many other countries do. There is a large chain of florists in PA called Royer's Flowers that are very good. Costco cut flowers come grower direct and are very fresh you can save a lot of money and have a lot more flowers than if going through a local florist. Costco does offer Oriental lilies in bulk and in arranged wedding flowers. They are available year' round and are very fragrant. So fragrant that many complain about them in all of the flower shops I've worked at over the years....I love all of them but many do not. Not sure what the wedding colors are, Costco lilies are all hot pink and white variations which may not go. Most commercially grown roses do not have much scent though some will. Scent in roses is directly in proportion to how long they last cut, so the stronger the scent the shorter they last which is why garden roses smell better. Most commercial carnations have little scent though in large quantities all flowers are going to have some scent. Potted pink jasmine Jasminum polyanthum are not ever offered in June here in Oregon so I think you'll be too late for them in PA too. They are usually offered in Jan and Feb. These are the only jasmines commonly offered as potted gift plants rather than as nursery stock. You are going to want potted gift plants rather than nursery stock if you want attractive plants with wrapped pots. Most garden centers/nurseries are not in the gift potted plant business. Most of their plants won't be grown for show but for long term garden growth and may not be very attractive even if they do smell good. There are Whole Foods in Philadelphia their floral departments would be a good place to order blooming potted plants for less than Royer's....most likely though check with both. I do not know if there are Kroger grocery stores in PA but they usually have excellent floral departments. I would avoid big box stores like Home Depot and Wal Mart, they generally cannot order in advance and do not hire experienced people for their garden departments. Most plants are brought in and merchandised by the growers...