Porch Journal: Come Along for a Late Spring Garden Stroll at Juniper Hill Cottage
Foxgloves, Evening Primroses, and Dahlias - Oh My
Hello to you,
I’m so glad you’re here with me today.
Welcome to the ‘Porch Journal’, a short-letter series where I share small reflections and behind-the-scenes thoughts on living a smaller, simpler, more beautiful life. These are quick, easy reads, about a minute or two - just enough for a mid-morning coffee break.
April and most of May were crazy busy months for me here at Juniper Hill Cottage. I underestimated the amount of tasks I had planned in the gardens and had local design projects that took priority.
But I am so happy I stuck with it, because the last 3 weeks or so have been a pure joy - all that planning and work paid off.
I wanted to share a few glimpses of the what late spring looks like here.
The Gravel Walk is beginning to wake up for the season - tucked beneath an old alligator juniper that offers dappled shade for part of the day, and The River Rock Border in the center slowly filling with fresh green growth, tiny blooms, and all the promise of what’s still to come.
The dragonfly gate into the courtyard kitchen garden helps define that space and offers a welcoming doorway to something tucked away behind the wall.
The Moonshine Yarrow (Achillea millefolium x ‘ Moonshine’) began with one small plant a few years ago and after dividing it a few times it’s tucked into many corners.
One of my favorite things about spring in the garden is that moment before everything fully arrives.
It’s was Dahlia Time at Juniper Hill Cottage, in mid-May.
Sorting. Labeling. Sleeping tubers are waking up. And the first pinching of the season began.
A quick little garden glimpse of this late spring ritual 👇🏼🔊
Foxgloves always feel so charming and extravagent to me - tall spires, speckled throats, and that old cottage garden exuberance.
Old fashioned herbs fill my garden beds - many are lovely for culinary reasons, but many are for me just goregous and earn their place for that reason. Here is Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and Garden Rue (Ruta graveolens).
Like spring sunshine and crushed lemon leaves - how about a little Lemon Balm Afternoon Tea for a reset my friends?
Here’s a super quick how-to video - I’ll walk you through it. 👇🏼🔊
Engelmann’s Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) is a stunner for it’s architecture year round as well as it’s blooms in late spring. And then, it’s fruit in autumn.
Bee party: Three bees. One prickly pear bloom. 5 minutes of shenanigans. 👇🏼
A small corner of the dragonfly gate leading from the south garden into the courtyard.
Dragonflies have flown the earth for more than 300 million years, surviving and adapting through unimaginable change. Over time, they’ve come to symbolize resilience, transformation, courage, and the reminder to reconnect with the joy of the moment.
I’ve got the dragonfly motif hidden all over the property here. As well as in my logo for The Whiskey Porch.
Thanks for stopping by the porch for a moment.
And in case you haven’t had a chance to check out the monthly Garden Keeping Journal, here is June’s checklist for you: June Garden Keeping Journal.
With contentment & possibility,
P.S. How has summer settled in for you? I know the U.K. and Europe had a real doozy of a heat wave a couple of weeks ago. What’s blooming in your gardens, or in the surrounding landscape and neighborhood? I’d love to hear. 👇🏼
ohhh, Foxgloves. Love them and I so agree. "Old cottage garden exuberance," in spades! Also, if you happen to suddenly be smitten with a minor heart attack- Digitalis right at your fingertips!! - Unsure if you chew it and spit it out or have to uproot it and run it to a pharmacy but nevertheless, Digitalis it is!