Question

ShadeTrellis   I'm having an outdoor wedding in N. W. Illinois (zone4/5) on September 1.

Would appreciate suggestions on annuals that will still be blooming well at that time.  Have lots of space and am looking for both shade and sun.  I'm looking to fill a swath approximately 40' by 4'.   That would be sun.   Also lots of fill in plants for around the wedding trellis which is mostly shade and now has a good start on a lot of hosta and some coral bells.

Would it help to plant annual seeds a little later than the normal May 15 plant date to keep them blooming longer?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Answer
Choices as to what to grow are a personal choice based on specific preferences, including color, size, and growth habit. My favorites are salvia, celosia, profusion zinnia, and sunflowers. I also include begonia and impatiens for shady areas.

Salvia Flare is a great variety with 18" bright red spikes. A new hybrid of celosia called Fresh Look stays vibrant all summer, with very little deadheading required. Profusion zinnia is one of the only zinnia which is totally resistant to powdery mildew and requires no pruning or deadheading. It comes in various shades of reds, orange, and white. I also grow Oklahoma mix, a taller zinnia for the back of the flower bed.

My advice is to visit the attached website at Park Seed. They have the best catalog available with many illustrations and great descriptions. You can either view it on-line or request a free catalog for delivery.

http://www.parkseed.com

Finally, whatever you choose, be sure to amend your soil with ample organic matter. These supplements include compost, peat, and aged manure. These will improve the tilth of the soil and provide constant nutrients to the plants throughout the growing season.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance. And my best to you and your fiance on your wedding.

Regards,

Mike