Tiger lilies are a great color, but mine do not bloom until July 20, and I am in hot Southern California. Zinnias will not yet be in bloom, nor will my first thought, Lion's Tail (leonotis leonurus). Dang. I looked through my garden photos for that week and this is what I recommend: ASIATIC BULB LILIES. Lots of them. They are in full bloom from the beginning to the end of June, and they come in the colors you want: burnt orange, dark red, bright red, yellow, creamy white, and all kinds of blends. Check out Van Engelen or John Scheepers- it's time to order them pronto. YARROW. Get a few big one gallon plants of Moonshine (or is it Moonbeam? Moonglow?) and you will have a huge show for the wedding. It's bright yellow. NASTURTIUMS. Come in all of your colors and are at their peak in June. Very cheap- plant the seeds any time between now and January for June bloom. These are Apricot Trifle and Creamsicle, with Bronze Star Rose, orange annual cosmos from seed, and feverfew from seed. Then there are a few other cheap plants that you may be able to find in the colors you want that bloom in June: Icelandic Poppies- buy six packs now until December for June bloom. Pansies- there's a burnt orange/gold viola that looks fabulous en masse and these should be planted from pony packs sometime soon, between now and December. And then there are more pricey items that you may want to purchase at the time of the wedding to make sure they are in full bloom: Irises: Cajun Rhythm is a burnt orange I grow. Blooms in June. Daylilies: Many many varieties in your colors, and the mid- and late-blooming varieties would be just on time. Roses: Plenty of choices in red and yellow, a few in the burnt orange range including Pat Austin. If you want white as well, the choices expand a whole lot. Have a wonderful time planning and planting for the wedding! Renee

We wish you luck with your wedding. Flower bloom time can be so unpredictable. Thinking we all gave our input on your original thread regarding wedding flowers in June. However, a final point to be made is that one should always have a backup plan especially when planning to use flowers for events. Perhaps you should check out your local farmers markets in your area. They are always a good source of fresh, locally grown flowers. You would be happy and less stressful. The flower farmer would be happy. And, you would be supporting the "Buy Local" movement. Warmest Regards, Trish

Last May/June my Lychnis Flos Cuculii and Lychnis Vascaria were in full bloom. I planted them as seedlings the fall prior to them blooming. Everyone at my plant sale commented about them; I was impressed with them too - nice airy/delcate looking blooms. Also blooming were - pink yarrow, Spiderwort (Tradescantia) both 'Red Cloud' & 'Pink Chablis' varieties, Salvia Maynight, Centaurea Montana (established plants) and several varieties of Iris.

I was thinking of asking the same thing for my daughter's wedding on July 5th. We're not really doing a theme thing or anything but her bridesmaids dresses are pretty vivid. She is having two colors: snapdragon (a deep pink/red) and papaya. These are the names the fabric people have given them. I would never have gone that direction but believe it or not the colors go great...the fabric is raw silk with gold shot through one direction on both, and then the deep pink/red or papaya the other... it appears a bit iridescent...in different lighting it changes. Very pretty! Anyway, I have tons of hydrangeas in my garden from another daughter's wedding, also in early July. Needless to say I am not removing them. But am thinking to add a few flowering shrubs to pick up the new colors. And, we are also investigating flowers for arrangements, bouquets, etc. I'll be checking out the local cut flower growers in our area, too. Has anyone grown or used strawflowers in arrangements? The tropicana rose looks interesting. I plant well, keep things alive well, but am strictly a novice. When I see something I like because it's interesting, or native, or just smells good I'll try it. But now I need to be more intentional.