I need a garden - quick!

Help me,all! I have just bought a house with zero landscaping. I am getting married at that house in three months! What flowers/bushes can I plant pretty soon that might be in bloom by then? I'm not looking for a full-grown garden by then, obviously, but some fast-growing ideas would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Best thing is go to your local nursery and ask a ton of questions

D

The wedding in my back yard is in June

D

Red fountain grass grows so fast after its out of the pot, its great. Also they are bushy in shape, so you can make it to look like they take uup more room than they actually do.

I'd get some shrubs/trees to act as a backbone for the garden (regardless of whether they'll actually be blooming at the time of the wedding). Buy the largest size you can afford so that the garden looks like it's been there for more than 5 minutes, and then fill in the area around/in front of the shrubs with whatever colorful blooming annuals you can find at the garden center a few weeks before the event. Ornamental grasses can also look nice and give you a little more height behind the annuals. If you can afford it, having a landscape designer help you out on this will help you both get the best short-term pop for the wedding and also keep in mind the longer-term view so you have a nice garden that works after the wedding as well.

Do you have any type of beds laid out already or cleared spaces, mulched areas? Photos would be good if you have any.

I think you are in zone 9? There are lots of big plants that should do well there and fill in open spaces quickly-like elephant ears, cannas, bananas, brugmansia, grasses, palms (not sure what is hardy there), hibiscus, flowering vines on trellises/arbors for vertical interest, etc. You might even consider a pond kit.

I would also think bedding annuals should be readily available by then, which aren't too expensive and make great space fillers and loads of color-from colorful foliage to blooming plants.

If the reception will also be there and go into the evening, think about some spot lights, landscape lights, even Christmas type lights so it will still be appealing after dark.

You might look around your neighborhood and see what others use. Try not to waste money on plants that you won't like down the road. It might require some research but it will be worthwhile. I agree that a trip to a local nursery would be helpful. They will also be more helpful if you have photos or tell them the orientation of the house (sunny areas, shady areas, etc).

This all sounds like a lesson in futility. BUT, if you insist that youMUST have the wedding in THAT back yard get some help and do it NOW. Call a nursery - a good one - and talk to them about the situation. They will be thrilled to help you out. You probably wouldn't even have to plant whatever you buy (or rent or whatever). Mulch and putting plants close together will hide pots. Are you having the wedding in that back yard to save money? If you are then you won't want to involve a nursery. Do you just want an outdoor wedding? There are bound to be places that you have the wedding outside and you rent the area just like you would an indoor place. Whatever the reason I hope that your wedding plans work out and that you have a lovely wedding.

Ann