What’s Blooming in My Late-Spring Country Cottage Flower Garden

Do you ever walk through your garden and feel like things have changed overnight? That’s exactly how my late spring flower garden feels right now, full of color, texture, and those sweet signs that summer is just around the corner.

With new blooms opening up by the day, it’s the perfect time to slow down and soak in all that cottage garden charm.

In today’s post, I’m sharing a peek at what’s blooming in my late-spring cottage garden and how it’s all coming together this season. I know you’ll love these flowers as much as I do!

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The Late Spring Cottage Garden

June is that in-between month in the garden, when everything looks green and full, but most of the summer flowers haven’t shown up just yet.

The early spring flowers have faded, and we’re patiently waiting for the big bursts of summer color to arrive.

And just like every gardener says, no two seasons ever look exactly the same. This year, our late spring cottage garden felt especially different.

Let me show you what’s growing right now and how things are looking as we ease into the summer season.

“Each moment of the year has its own beauty, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Early Bloomers Still Hanging On

Lilacs

These beauties were my Nana’s favorites!

The lilacs were some of the first to bloom this season, and while they’re just about finished now, they left behind the sweetest scent in the garden while they lasted.

Lilacs love full sun and bloom best when pruned right after flowering. Waiting too long to prune can cut off next year’s blooms, since they form on old wood.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas

The Pacific Northwest is known for its colorful rhododendrons and azaleas in the spring. My bushes (more like trees) are well established and are one of the few plants that were here when we moved here almost 13 years ago.

These two really stole the show in late spring. The azaleas gave us their big burst of color early on, and now the rhodies are keeping the party going with bold blooms in the shadier spots.

The rhododendrons bloom times are different, and the last “batch” of rhododendrons is blooming right now.

Rhododendrons have shallow roots, so they love a thick layer of mulch to keep moisture in and weeds out. They prefer acidic soil and shady spots.

Azaleas are actually in the rhododendron family. Most varieties are early bloomers and prefer morning sun and afternoon shade for best results.

Cottage Garden Favorites in Full Bloom

Alliums

These globe-shaped beauties are always a fun surprise. They add a little whimsy wherever they bloom and hold up so well, even with a little wind or rain.

Alliums are part of the onion family, the same family as garlic and chives! Their globe-shaped flowers are bee magnets and make great dried flowers after they fade.

Peonies

I wait all year for the peonies, and they never disappoint. They are just such a dreamy flower.

I only wish their bloom time were longer.

If taken care of properly, peonies can last over 100 years in your garden. Wait to harvest blooms until the plant has matured (after 2–3 years) so it can put energy into building strong roots.

Foxglove

Tall, graceful, and always a showstopper, the foxgloves are right at home in my cottage garden this time of year. I love how they pop up in unexpected places, thanks to all that self-seeding magic.

Foxgloves are biennials, which means they usually don’t bloom until their second year. Letting them go to seed ensures new plants for seasons to come.

Lupine

The lupines are putting on a strong show this spring. Those spiky blooms always bring such great texture and color.

Lupine can actually help improve your soil. They’re part of the legume family and can fix nitrogen into the ground, making them both beautiful and beneficial.

Climbing & Vertical Color

Clematis

The clematis vines are finally covered in blooms, climbing up the trellises and fences just like they’re supposed to. They’re a favorite for adding that vertical charm to the garden.

Clematis vines love having their “heads in the sun and feet in the shade.” Plant low-growing perennials or mulch around the base to keep roots cool and happy.

Roses

The first rose blooms are just beginning, and I couldn’t be happier. There’s something so classic and romantic about them, and once they start, they don’t stop!

Deadheading roses (removing spent blooms) will encourage more flowers throughout the season. And don’t forget to protect your blooms from those pesky deer.

Adding Pops of Color Around the Edges

Salvia

Salvia is drought-tolerant and loved by hummingbirds. Pruning back after the first flush of blooms will often lead to a second round of flowering.

Tickseed (Coreopsis)

I love these gorgeous yellow flowers in the garden. They’re a bright ray of sunshine these days before the summer blooms appear.

Tickseed is super low-maintenance and blooms for months. Deadheading helps, but many varieties will keep going even without much fuss.

Red Campion

A little wild and wonderfully cheerful, red campion is one of those flowers that quietly fills in the gaps with its sweet pink blooms.

Red campion is technically a wildflower in many areas and is loved by pollinators. It’s easy to grow and often reseeds itself, making it great for a more relaxed, natural look.

Gladiolus

If you’ve only grown the tall, summer-blooming gladiolus varieties, Byzantine gladiolus might surprise you.

Unlike the common types that bloom in mid-to-late summer, this variety flowers in late spring to early summer, showing off its magenta blooms around May or early June.

Byzantine glads don’t usually need staking and tend to multiply over time, creating waves of color if you let them spread.

Calla Lilies

Calla lilies bring such a graceful touch to the garden with their curved blooms and rich green leaves.

Even though they have “lily” in the name, they’re not actually true lilies. I love how they thrive in a mix of sun and moisture. Their sculptural shape makes them stand out in garden beds and cut arrangements.

Fragrant Touches & Edible Favorites

Lavender

The Spanish lavender is blooming, and the scent is already floating through the garden. I love cutting a few stems for the house or tucking them into bouquets.

Lavender doesn’t just smell good, its flowers are edible! You can use them in teas, baking, or to infuse sugar for a little floral touch.

Herbs

The herb garden is looking so happy right now. The thyme, oregano, chives, and mint are all going strong, and many of them are starting to flower, which makes them even prettier tucked into the edges of beds or containers.

Many herbs, such as thyme, oregano, and chives, bloom in late spring, but if you’re after a stronger flavor, pinch off the flowers to keep the leaves growing!

Final Thoughts on the Late Spring Flower Garden

It’s always such a treat to watch the garden shift and change with the seasons, and late spring feels like that moment when everything starts to come together.

I hope this little peek into what’s blooming right now inspires you to plant your own garden or, at the very least, gives you a few quiet moments to soak in the beauty of the season.

If you’re seeing something special in your garden this week, I’d love to hear about it—feel free to share in the comments!

Until next time,

Happy Gardening!

I’m a self-taught hobby gardener. Everything I share on my blog is my opinion and what has worked for me.

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