Late Spring Country Cottage Flower Garden Tour | Shiplap and Shells

Some mornings, I step into the garden with my iced latte in hand, and honestly can’t believe what occurred overnight. A stem that was merely a bud yesterday is fully opened. Something that was barely revealing colors suddenly shines as the centerpiece of the garden bed. That’s late spring in the Pacific Northwest.

At this moment, the cottage garden is in that perfect stage where everything is lush and verdant, with things unfolding rapidly. The early spring blooms are concluding, the summer varieties aren’t quite ready yet, and in the midst, there’s this stunning blend of color and texture that I wish to preserve.

Here’s what’s currently blossoming, along with a few insights I’ve gathered on the journey.

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Early Bloomers Still Holding On

Lilacs

These are my Nana’s favorites, as well as mine. The lilacs were among the first to flourish this season, and they are nearly finished now, but the fragrance they left behind while they thrived was worth every single second of waiting.

Lilacs flourish best in ample sunlight and ought to be trimmed immediately after blossoming. Delay too long, and you’ll remove next year’s buds, as they develop on old wood.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas

These two have been with us since before we settled here. More akin to trees than shrubs at this point, they’re among the few plants on the property that predate our 14 years here. The Pacific Northwest is renowned for rhododendrons in spring, and ours never cease to amaze.

The azaleas put on their splendid display early on, and now the final round of rhododendrons is blooming in the shaded areas. Excellent timing, as everything else is just commencing.

Rhododendrons have shallow roots, so a generous layer of mulch is beneficial. They thrive in acidic soil and appreciate some afternoon shade.

If you weren’t aware, azaleas are technically part of the rhododendron family. Most types bloom early and prefer morning sunlight.

Cottage Garden Favorites Currently in Full Blossom

Alliums

There’s something delightful about those round globe flowers that consistently brings me joy. They withstand the wind and rain remarkably well, and they infuse a charm into the garden that nothing else quite replicates. They’re also attractive to pollinators and dry beautifully once they wilt.

(Indeed, they belong to the onion family. The same relatives as garlic and chives. I ponder that every time I cut one for the vase.)

Peonies

I anticipate these all year long. Each year, I declare I’ll harvest fewer blooms for the home and relish more in the garden, and every year I utterly fail.

If you’re just starting with peonies, allow them time. Wait for the plant to be in the soil for two or three years before significantly harvesting blooms. Let it focus on establishing its roots first. The reward is years of blossoms, and these plants can genuinely thrive for over a century in the right conditions.

Foxglove

Tall and elegant, appearing in areas I didn’t intend for them. That’s the enchantment of a plant that self-seeds spontaneously, and I’ve ceased attempting to control it. The foxgloves position themselves wherever they desire, enhancing the garden in the process.

Foxgloves are biennials, meaning the first-year plant you’re observing won’t bloom until the following season. Allow them to scatter seeds, and you’ll maintain a continual supply with minimal effort.

Lupine

The lupines are notably thriving this year. Those spiky flowers provide excellent texture alongside the rounder, softer blossoms, and the variety of colors within a single bed can be quite astonishing.

Additionally, they belong to the lagoon family, indicating that they actually enrich nitrogen into the earth. Stunning and beneficial.

Climbing and Vertical Color

Clematis

The clematis vines are finally fulfilling their purpose, adorned with blooms and ascending the trellises. Vertical color plays a crucial role in a compact cottage garden, and clematis deserves its place every single year.

The age-old adage is “heads in the light, feet in the cool”. Keep the roots shaded with mulch or low-lying plants at the base, allowing the vine to strive for brightness.

Roses

The initial blooms are just beginning to open. I couldn’t be more prepared. Once the roses commence, they continue, and deadheading throughout the season ensures they remain vibrant.

Just remember the deer. They adore fresh rose blooms as much as I do.

“Each moment of the year possesses its own beauty, a portrayal never witnessed before, and which shall never be observed again.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Color at the Edges

Salvia

Drought-resilient, hummingbird-friendly, low maintenance. Salvia is a powerhouse. Trim it back after the initial bloom, and it will typically produce a second wave of blossoms.

Tickseed (Coreopsis)

That vibrant yellow is precisely what the garden requires at this moment, prior to the arrival of the full summer spectrum. Coreopsis is remarkably low-care and blooms for several months. Deadhead when feasible, but many varieties will keep flowering even if you neglect to do so.

Crimson Campion

Somewhat untamed, extremely uplifting, technically a wildflower in numerous regions. Crimson campion fills voids with its delightful pink blossoms and self-seeds each year. It complements the laid-back, slightly unkempt appearance of a cottage garden more effectively than anything I’ve purposefully cultivated.

Byzantine Gladiolus

If your acquaintance with gladiolus is limited to the tall summer varieties, this one will take you by surprise. Byzantine glads flower from late spring to early summer, approximately in May or June, showcasing deep magenta petals that are considerably more elegant than conventional kinds. They do not require staking and proliferate over time, forming waves of color if left to their own devices.

Calla Lilies

Artistic and sophisticated. Although termed lilies, they aren’t genuine lilies, but they excel in the sun-and-moisture scenario prevalent along the borders. Their form alone ensures they catch attention in both the garden and a vase.

Fragrant Delights and Edible Additions

Lavender

The Spanish lavender is in full bloom, with its aroma wafting through the garden throughout the afternoon. I’ve been harvesting stems for indoors and incorporating them into bouquets. Lavender flowers are also consumable, if you weren’t aware. Excellent in teas, baked in shortbread, and sourdough bread.

Herbs

The new herb garden has been established with seedlings nurtured in the greenhouse. Oregano, chives, chamomile, thyme, and tarragon are beginning to sprout.

I maintain a dedicated herb garden for gathering and culinary use. However, I also intersperse herbs throughout the garden to accompany flowers and vegetables, and to please the pollinators when the herbs are in bloom.

Commonly Asked Inquiries Regarding Late-Spring Cottage Garden Blooms

Which Flowers Blossom In a Cottage Garden During Late Spring?

In late spring, a cottage garden usually features peonies, foxglove, alliums, lupine, clematis, roses, salvia, coreopsis, crimson campion, and Byzantine gladiolus.

In the Pacific Northwest, rhododendrons and azaleas continue to thrive well into June.

What Are the Simplest Flowers to Cultivate In a Cottage Garden?

Foxglove, red campion, coreopsis, and salvia require minimal maintenance and usually manage themselves once settled. Foxglove and red campion self-seed abundantly, ensuring they return year after year with minimal effort.

How Can I Extend Peony Blooming Duration?

Regrettably, peony blooming periods are inherently brief, generally lasting two to three weeks. To optimize this time, cut stems when buds remain soft and just beginning to reveal color, while keeping cut peonies away from direct heat. In the garden, remove faded blooms to maintain plant tidiness, though the limited blooming period is part of their allure.

When Do Byzantine Gladiolus Flower?

Byzantine gladiolus blooms from late spring to early summer, usually May through early June, distinguishing them from standard gladiolus, which flower from mid- to late summer. They are smaller, more elegant, and do not need staking.

What Thrives In a Pacific Northwest Cottage Garden In Late Spring?

The Pacific Northwest is perfect for cultivating rhododendrons, azaleas, foxglove, lupine, and alliums in late spring. The mild, damp climate also wonderfully accommodates peonies, clematis, and lavender. Most perennials in cottage gardens flourish here as long as the soil is well-drained.

The Garden Continues to Evolve

If you blink, you’ll overlook something. That’s simply how late spring transpires. The garden stays in motion, and honestly, that’s why it’s worth visiting every morning.

If something remarkable is flowering in your garden now, please share it in the comments. I would love to know what’s happening out there.

Until next time,

Happy Horticulture!

I’m a self-taught amateur gardener. Everything I share on my blog represents my personal view and what has been effective for me.

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