We call this the Deer Bed because the neighborhood deer treat it as a salad bar. They are especially fond of the Annabelle hydrangeas. After major deer-browse in the spring, we fenced the bed off with chicken wire until the morning of the first wedding. Within days the deer found it again and mowed down the hydrangeas and other plantings.

For the last few years this area had been a low-mow patch, but the wildflowers found it hard to out-compete the weeds. In creating the Wedding Garden we replanted many of the native perennials in clumps, transplanted others elsewhere in the yard,( especially in the wildflower strips along the Elm Allee), added Annabelle hydrangeas, and gave special attention to the passion flower vines (maypops) that thrive in this part of the yard. We’re looking forward to the blooming of the goldenrod and calico aster, which will provide late-season food for pollinators.