Progress (?) for daughter's August wedding.

Cold weather just doesn't to give up here in Vermont. We're still having light frost now and then where I live, and the ground is still cold. I even have to cover the pots on my porch every night.
But anyway, we have made some progress on my daughter's wedding garden (I posted here about it a month or so ago.)
I'm adding pics of the arbor my husband built, and the mini-patio we laid down for the ceremony. There are actually sunflowers and dahlias in the ground in the background of the picture. I also put in seeds for morning glories and black-eyed susan vine along the arbor, but I may have jumped the gun!

Genie

And here's another view.

Here are just a few of the things I've potted to use for setting around the yard and tent.

That's a beautiful arbor your hubby built. What are you planning to cover it with? I remember seeing your other thread but don't remember when your DD's wedding is. Your plants look very pretty too. Nothing like progress. Hope everything goes perfect for all of you.

Well, duh! When I backed out I reread your title--AUGUST wedding. So you will have plenty of time to get all those flowers grown and something to cover the arbor.

This message was edited May 30, 2008 8:55 AM

Thank you for the good wishes, NatureLover.
DD's wedding is the 23rd of August -- just barely before we start again with Fall! If the flowers can't make it by then, they never will. I planted about 4 different kinds of climbers at the base of the arbor. Hopefully some of them will do well.

Those morning glories and black eyed Susan vine will grow real fast. I have BE Susan vine growing on two different trellises and it's already hit the top of both. It's full of blooms and just beautiful.

genie--went to two weddings recently and one gave a little round container of seeds with a little card attached for the guests and another one the parents came to the alter durring the wedding and put some seeds in a pot for the newly weds--i guess to sybolize the raising of the kids--or maybe love grows--i couldn't hear that part but it was a nice touch---the girls who stood up used parasols instead of flowers ----i have a few other ideas if your interested

Yes, I'm definitely interested! Thanks.
The seeds sound like a very nice idea. I'll pass any ideas along to my DD and her fiance.

one wedding had a tall round vase and two glass containers with different colored sands (like brown and tan) --instead of the unity candle (which might get blown out) they each poured in the sand--made a zig zag layered look and i guess you bring it home to remind you of your vows--i am sure there was something more to the meaning but it was pretty

When I first started this thread I was complaining about the cold. Today I'm just happy that our heat has finally broken (at least for a while)!
Anyway, we have made some more progress with the wedding garden. The sunflowers and dahlias are exploding! We bought more plants to put in -- see the picture attached. Blue pansies in front on both sides of the arbor, then yellow daisies, tall marigolds and boswellia. I have more pansies to fill in on each side of these rows.
Last night we had severe thunderstorms and downpours, and I havent been over to see if there was damage. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Genie

That will be beautiful! But I worry about the pansys. Will they still survive in Aug. in your area? They wont here. They've already been taken up here, because of the heat. I would have something else in mind, just in case, that could be exchanged for the pansys, though they are a lovely flower!
Audrey
PS: Hope you don't think I'm being to "forward"! Just trying to help!

Audrey
Thanks for your response!
No, you're not too forward -- in fact I need all the help I can get! It's a pretty short, cool summer overall that we have up here. Honestly, I dont know if the pansies will survive. I was thinking about filling in with blue salvia, too -- tho then it might be too crowded.
I'm having a hard time getting anything started for the arbor. Even morning glories dont seem to thrive. Other people around here think of them almost as weeds, they're usually so prolific. But there must be something about my dirt they dont like!
I have a black-eyed susan vine coming on each side of the arbor, and we put in spanish flag seeds.
I'm keeping a picture diary for my daughter of our progress, and I've got to get over there today with my camera!
Genie

Genie, did you fertilize before you planted? Your soil might need more nutrients.
I use the store brand of Miracle Grow. Use per package directions. You'll see a big (no pun intended) difference! I put some purple petunias in MG potting soil in a pot, and they've filled it! They smell soooo good, especially late afternoon!
Good luck! It's going to be gorgeous!
Audrey

Genie
Try to locate Hyacinth bean seeds. Maybe you can find on the internet or ask around your community. The vines will only live until the late fall but the growth is VERY fast and a few will cover the arbor. Beautiful heart shaped (perfect) green leaves with purple undersides and a very pretty pink/purple bloom and it is continuous. Google Hyacinth bean vine photo and look at all the various part. DG may also offer a photo in the files. Hot sunny spots are what is needed for good bloom - you start in a pot along the sides of the arbor. Also, the vine will make hot pink/purple pods that are gorgeous and for some the main reason they love the vine. Let these grow old (long after August) and save and you can have next year. Once you grow this vine ...you will do so every year and also pass it on to others.

Audrey; I do use fertilizer mixed with the water every third or so time I water. But the morning glories are planted in the ground, not in potting soil. However, it is my son's veggie garden and he mixes in sheep manure, which grows fantastic veggies. Maybe it's just not right for morning glories. I will try some in potting soil. A few are coming, but slowly. Thanks.

missingrosie; I've never heard of hyacinth bean vine. I will certainly look it up. Thanks for the suggestion!

Genie

Any kind of manure should be great! I was talking about MG fertilizer! Mixed 1 Tablespoon per gal. of water. Water about once a week, depending how dry it is there! Good luck,
Audrey

Genie this is such a lovely labor of love you are doing for your daughters wedding. I think everything will be just beautiful. I also think the Hyacinth Bean Vine is a great idea. I planted some for the first time about 3 weeks ago and they are several inches tall with beautiful dark green leaves. I planted all of mine in different pots throughout the yard and the ones with the most sun have grown the best so far. I got mine from Renee's Garden and I see they still have them for sale...here is a link http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/seeds-hm/flowersD.htm . Best of luck with everything!

Thanks, Audrey. I will get some MG. I'm going over today to take some more pictures. Will post them if they're good :-).

dellrose; thanks for the link! I am going to order some of the Hyacinth BV. It sounds very interesting. That's a nice site, too.
The garden was what Laura requested for a wedding present from her father and me. We are having a good time doing this, despite the fact that I sound like a worry-wart!

Genie

Genie, You're not being a worry-wart! It's your God-given right to worry! We're women! Try not to, though, I'm sure it will be lovely! If things don't grow fast enough for you, set some potted plants around the morning of the wedding. Did you say you planted morning glories? They grow pretty fast, I think, and make a oretty vine with all the blooms. I'm keeping you in my thoughts!
Audrey

Thank you, Audrey! I appreciate your encouragement. You're right, worrying (esp. about children) is our prerogative, isn't it? :-)
Good news; I just got word that my other daughter is coming home from Ireland in July, and will be staying at least until after the wedding. (she has a job over there) So I am looking forward to that!
Genie

Great! She can help you choose! Post some pics of Ireland! I'd love to see Ireland, but I'll never get to go!
Audrey

genie--i got on dave's garden last year because my son was getting married and i had to get the yard ready my yard was a mess and by the time the wedding came around it was great! and in the process i became totally obsessed with gardening! i remember times before when i would go out and think "i can't do this--it will never be ready--" but it all worked and i think yours will be wonderful too!

I second that !!

Thank you very much, all of you!
I took some pictures of the garden yesterday. It's coming along! I'm not unhappy.

And a bit closer.

I'm very pleased with the dahlias and sunflowers -- but there are supposed to be climbers on those pyramids, too!

Very nice!
See, I told ya so!

I'm sorry, Audrey. Jen hasn't sent any pictures of Ireland at all. Just a couple of postcards to various family members :-( Hopefully when she comes home she'll have a bunch!

Linda --- I'm so glad to hear your positive comments about your garden! It gives me hope. I've never been much of a gardener myself, but this is really fun! I could end up hooked, too. Thanks.

Audrey, our posts crossed in cyberspace! Thanks.

Wow the garden is going to make for some wonderful photos. Will your hosta make it in the summer sun? I can't grow them because of the deer but I thought I had to plant in the shade or dappled shade. If I can get to grow in the sun - I might be able to find a deer proof spot I can use for a hosta.

There are some flowers associated with meanings. Maybe you can google some of these that will do well in your area and put them in the wedding garden. When the happy event is over, you can press one of each flower a book and present the album to her with its meaning. A wonderful gift to pass on to future generations. (Don't forget "PATIENCE!") (and fortitude) and (humor) (smile)

Rosie, My hostas are in full sun, in front of my apt. , till afternoon. They are doing well, now that I've divided the biggest clump. Try it with one smaller plant. It may surprise you!
Audrey

We dug up the hostas from the side of our house where they get partial sun. My mother's, next door, get full sun all afternoon. The only difference I've noticed is, hers blossom, mine don't.
I'm hoping they do well in the new garden.

I'm going to give it a try! Thanks to you both!

Genie - I have some hyacinth bean vine seeds I would be happy to send you. Think I only have about 6 but that would still give you three vines for each side - they are fast growers and mine are doing great - no blooms yet tho. i just got married last year an did my own wedding so I know how exciting and scary it can be! lol I may have a few other things around that would be helpful - drop me a dmail if you are interested and I'll see what I have. Good Luck ! Em

This is so beautiful! She's such a lucky daughter!

I took some more pictures of the garden today, and am starting to feel pretty good about it! This one's looking straight on.

And one from the side.

And the other side. Still nothing climbing on the tripods, but I'm hopeful. (That's where I put the hyacinths, Em)

We put hostas on the front corners, but they aren't doing well. They've been in a couple of weeks and should have recovered by now if they're going to. They look even worse than the picture shows.

You've done an amazing job! It's beautiful! Don't give up on the hostas, you have all this month, they just look a little wilted right now. If they start turning brown, then replace them.
Go back and compare with the first pics you put up!
Audrey