Question
My daughter is getting married at the end of August.  My front flower bed is where some pictures will be taken.  What other flowers besides impatiens and begonias will be flowering then?  I was going to put a row of impatiens in the front and begonias behind them.  A large flower plant would be nice behind the begonias near the windows.  I come from Long Island, NY.  Thanks a bunch.

Answer
Roseanne,

This doesn't sound like a tough question, but the timing of flowers has been tricky for me.  Most of the flowering plants I have around flower briefly, and while I can generally predict when, I don't always hit the time I want.  Perennials pay attention to weather and other conditions that I can't always control, so I don't count on them.

The university I work for starts school at the end of August, so I try to have some things up and brightening the place when the new students arrive.  What I've had best luck in timing are roses sunflowers.

I have ever-bearing shrub roses, but the blooms actually come in waves.  I found that if I cut the rose bushes back severely about 6-7 weeks before I want the blooms, they regrow, rebud and flower on time.  I've done this several years in a row now.   You can still plant roses now, but get them in soon.

I know sunflowers sound a little rural, but I get more comments on them than anything else I do around here.  If I plant the seeds in the latter part of June, I get plants up and flowering by the first of Sept., and the flowering lasts 5-6 weeks. You could start a little earlier to be sure.   There are LOTS of varieties available now that vary by color, size of bloom, height of plants, density of petals.  Besides the usual big yellow guys, there are some that are quite delicate with ivory or white petals that get about 4 feet tall.  Also there are some dramatic dark maroons.

Check a local garden store for seeds.

Hope this helps,
Mark in Portland

ps...congratulations on the wedding.  I wish my kids would get married.