The Garden Welcomes June

“Hello sweet friends, I am happy that you are here as we welcome the month of June and the first day of meteorological summer!

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

As I have often said, the garden is my favorite place to set a table. Since gardening is a big part of our lives, I enjoy setting an alfresco table among the flowers and the trees! It was a bit challenging because of pop up showers and cloudy skies. I am not complaining, we desperately needed the rain for which I am thankful. I was surprised when viewing my photos that I had captured the bee in flight!

It is the June edition of Monday Morning Blooms with fellow flower and garden enthusiasts Lidy and Mary. We are excited to welcome another enthusiastic gardener and flower friend, Rita from Panoply. Our common theme is garden!

You will find the links for Lidy, Mary, and Rita at the bottom of this post.

My arrangement is quite simple, one that anyone can do. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers. I cut these from my sweet daughter-in-love’s bush. The blue color of the Hydrangea Macrophylla (commonly called big leaf hydrangea) works beautifully with my summery tablecloth. Queen Anne’s Lace (often called wild carrot) is an abundant wildflower found in our pastures and on roadsides. The lacy flower is very popular in wildflower bouquets. Our Double Play Doozie Spirea blooms also blended well with tablecloth!

My arrangement is actually ‘simpler’ than originally planned. I had a small number and variety of flowers in our garden that were mature enough to be cut. There weren’t that many, but just the right amount to complete my plans, so I cut them. While walking back to the patio table where I was working to finish my arrangement, I tripped and fell, sending flowers in every direction, breaking stems and destroying petals. Fortunately, I broke nothing but flowers. I was sore later, but the flowers did not fare as well…none were salvageable! Things don’t always go according to plans. 

This photo looks to the cottage garden that is behind our table and next to the Sunshine Cottage. Coneflowers came back after seeds were planted last year. We have planted zinnia and giant marigold seeds which are growing by leaps and bounds since the rain. Annuals fill containers throughout the cottage garden!

The ‘old’ yellow pitcher has sweet memories attached. It has been around for a very long time. It belonged to my paternal grandmother and was used for fresh milk. My grandmother was an excellent cook, I can still taste her cornbread. When I was about six years old, my grandparents lived in a home that had an old wood stove in the kitchen. She also had an electric stove that was rarely used. She said food did not taste as good on her electric stove. All I remember, even as a child, was that whatever she prepared on that wood stove was absolutely delicious! When they moved from their rural house to the city, sadly, there was only an electric stove. My grandmother was never convinced her food was ever what it once was, but I only have wonderful memories of her meals always being amazing…and her sweet hugs!

My little Sunshine Cottage has brought me so much joy as I have shared it with my granddaughters…tea parties, reading books, playing dolls, snuggling in the chair and a few sleepovers on a blow-up mattress!

Green majolica dinner plates were paired with Sur La Table ‘Rose Garden’ salad plates by April Cornell.

Everyday stainless flatware ‘Duchess of Marlborough’ is by Reed & Barton.

I found these cute hand-painted terracotta napkin holders on a trip to the Huntsville Botanical Garden many years ago. In addition to touring the beautiful gardens, we were excited to find that an arts and crafts show was being held. It is a fond memory of a fun day with a group of friends! From that visit, I came home and told Butch we must plant a Snowball Viburnum and a Bridal Wreath Spirea and we did!

In the background is a long raised bed of zinnias, wildflowers, and giant marigolds.

The Godinger Dublin iced tea glasses were ordered from the Horchow catalog many years ago. How I use to love receiving catalogs in the mail which are rare these days. Horchow was one that I always looked forward to finding in my mail box at least every month or so. Yes, you can request a 2026 catalog or view it online, but it is just not the same. You can even buy old Horchow catalogs on eBay. I should have saved all of mine.

Behind the Adagio maiden grass, you can barely see the long row of sunflowers. I think they have grown a foot since this photo was taken!

April Cornell ‘s ‘Lilliana’ tablecloth in soft pinks, signature light periwinkle, and fresh green hues is perfect for summer. An ‘Essential’ napkin in pink complements the floral print.

It is amazing since I took photos how much the zinnias planted next to the cottage have grown as well as the giant marigolds behind the coneflowers. Much needed rain has definitely helped all of our garden. Another plus is RM hasn’t had to water! In case you missed my garden post, you can see it here.

You will find beautiful floral inspiration from Lidy, Mary, and Rita by clicking their links below.

Lidy ~ French Garden House

Mary ~ Home Is Where the Boat Is

Rita ~ Panoply

Not meaning to boast, but I can do what no other can do and I do it year after year, perfectly, without fail, without permission, without hesitation, ready or not. I bring you the lengthiest of daylight and the briefest of darkness. I bring about a unique event affecting the entire Northern Hemisphere, doing what I alone was created to do. I open wide the welcome gates and extend an exclusive invitation to summer. I am June.
~Butch Richardson

Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a delightful first week of June and an amazing summer!

Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda