This spring brought a quiet but confident choice: a Narcissus ‘Westward’. It was one of those plants that doesn’t need much introduction. Strong leaves, a well‑balanced shape, and that familiar promise — steady growth and understated beauty later in the season. It felt immediately suited to a northern garden and to the slower rhythm of life at the summer cottage.

For now, the daisy waits. The cottage garden is still between seasons, with soil that needs a little more warmth before planting can begin in earnest. When I next arrive, open the doors and take stock of winter’s retreat, ‘Westward’ will be planted with care and intention. I already have a place in mind, somewhere open and bright, where it can establish itself without crowding and return year after year.

There’s something reassuring about choosing a plant like this. Daisies are known for their resilience and long flowering period, and ‘Westward’ is no exception. It’s not demanding, yet it brings structure and light to the garden once summer settles in. At the cottage, that kind of reliability matters. Between visits, the garden must manage on its own, growing quietly in your absence.

Planting a perennial always feels like a small act of trust. You place it where you believe it will thrive, knowing you won’t witness every stage of its growth. Especially at the summer cottage, gardening stretches across time. When you return, something has changed — leaves fuller, stems stronger, the garden a little further along than you left it.