Flowers by May 19 from an annual might be tough. For me Clasping Coneflower (Rudbeckia amplexicaulis) is among the easiest plants from seed and it blooms in late spring/early summer, but I don't think it blooms here as early as May 19.

If you're trying to have flowers for some special event that day, planting bulbs might be a more certain, although far less prairie-esque way of going about it. At least some varieties of daffodil should bloom at that time and you can usually find cheap daffodil bulbs. There are early, mid and late-season varieties and I'd consult a local gardener or knowledgable garden center for advice on what types of daffodil to plant.

I'd actually started with the idea of late-flowering bulbs, but when I asked about it, I was discouraged from taking that route. Daffodils usually start here late March and finish by early May. Tulips are usually mid April, with a few that might make it till May 19 (the date of our function), but that would be a gamble.

Thanks again for taking time to respond!

Any other ideas out there????

You can look in the natives (or maybe woodlands?) forum for responses to my questions about "Easy Seeds" but my question did not include any requirement about bloom times.

Do you need a full garden or just a splash of colour in a small area like a patio?

When can bedding annuals be planted in your area? If you bought annuals in 3" or 4" pots and planted them three to four weeks before the event they might be in full bloom.

If, like my area, the last frost is usually around May 19, then I think you are going to have to look at buying several large planters with plants that are already blooming. The nurseries would have started them in a greenhouse in Feb/March.

The woodland natives that bloom in May are perennials, if planted now they would have large blooms in May 2008 or 2009.

Does it have to be an annual?

I am thinking of spring blooming perrenials - like columbine, wild geranium, spiderwort, penstemon.. if planted this fall they could be blooming by mid may...

If You want a early bloom,go through early flowering bulbs.There's a site I can't remember exactly the web address,try to search in google,the name is Netherland bulbs company,they are selling in a whole sale price.Or the Dutch Bulb they also have a whole sale deal.Then when u plant your bulb,plant it with the flower seeds mixtures called sidekick.It's a mix of ,alyssum carpet of snow.royal carpet,oriental night,baby snap dragon Chinese houses,Forget-me -Not,it will bloom early and if have enough moisture it will keep blooming from spring to fall.I bought mine from:www.clyderobin.com I love it coz it will take over the bulbs and cover the unattractive foliage..keep my garden beautiful from spring to fall .,also they have lots of seeds that you can email and ask if what best to your area to plant and bloom on time.They are specialist in occasions matter and very helpful.Hope this info will be helpful to you.