Party questions

22 years ago

At the end of this month (July 30) I'm having a big summer party at my place. I have a pretty good sized balcony and tons of plants out there that I hope will be peaking in bloom around that time. My issue is that this is my first summer at my new place with sun. I've always been in the shade before. Don't get me wrong, I love all the new options sun gives me, but I'm not sure if some everything will still be blooming around the time of my shin-dig. I have a ton of snapdragons that just started blooming (there was a really good sale, two flats for only $7). Will they still be going then? I'm pretty sure the geraniums will be good, and the million bells and gerbera daisies too, right?

I've got some impatiens in a shady spot, so I know those will be good. I'm hoping the sweet potato vines will be taking of by then. I have several moon flower vines as well. They've just started putting out lots of leaf growth and getting longer. How long would you think before they flower? I doubt the sedums will be in bloom (I've got autumn joy and some big white one). I have a few daylilies that are just now starting to send up flower shoots. One has a good sized bud on it. I can't recall what types they are, but I made sure they each said they were the reblooming varieties. Think they'll still be going at party time?

I know I'm forgetting some things. Any help about the things I have will be greatly appreciated. Also any other suggestions of things I might be able to pick up now and have looking nice by the time of the party would be great. Thanks so much.

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Comments (3)

jenny_in_se_pa
22 years ago
I think most of the stuff that you have that is already in bloom will continue to be in bloom (provided you don't get some windy storm that knocks the flowers off, etc). The daylilies usually go for a couple weeks and if they scapes are long enough, they might have upwards of 15 - 20 buds on them that will bloom a couple a day.

The moonflower vine may or may not be. It depends on when you planted it outside. They tend to take a long time unless you start them inside and then put them out or buy one already started and/or have alot of heat once they are outside (cool weather tends to slow them down).

This time of year it might be hard to find stuff, although they may still be selling wax begonias (I always plant those) and of course petunias. Still, you have a nice selection!

Hope the party turns out well! I had one of those about 6 years ago. It was fun... although some of the folks were a bit afraid to go out on my balcony because of the height (18th floor). I know it took me about 3 months to get adjusted to going out there myself without getting queasy when I first moved in... LOL
LaurelLily
22 years ago
If I were you, I'd go out and buy fertilizer that encourages blooms (high phosphorus, low nitrogen), and feed all of your established plants. That has really made a difference for me!
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Madison414
Original Author
22 years ago
Just thought I'd give an update. The party was last week and it went really well. I think I probably had about 50 people drop by throughout the evening. It had been raining the two days prior, but cleared up by about 1pm on the day of the party. All my plants were doing well. One of my large daylilies decided it would be a nice day to open, so that was cool. The moonflowers and morning glories have yet to bloom. I just don't think its been warm enough for them. Everyone was really impressed with what I had growing up there. They all commented on how lovely it was and how nice it must be to sit out there and relax.
To keep with the garden theme, I put the three different dips I made into new little 4 inch pots with plant stakes identifying what type of dip they were. I also made some dirt cake in a pot and placed some silk flowers in it. I actually had to scoop some of it up for people to realize it was a dessert and not real.
Thanks for suggestions and advice.