Angel

I didn’t plan on buying a geranium that day. I was simply browsing, enjoying a quiet and bright spring moment, when this one stood out. There was something about it that made me stop. That was when I fell in love with Angel. She came home with me without much hesitation.

This is my first time growing this type of geranium, which made the choice feel even more special. Angel has a softer look than many traditional pelargoniums, with a compact growth habit and delicate flowers. At the store, she felt calm and well-balanced, not trying to impress but quietly confident. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

Angel (Geranium ‘Angel’) has now been planted at the summer cottage, where spring arrives slowly and temperatures can still drop unexpectedly. Days may be sunny, but nights often remain cold. Choosing plants for this environment means thinking ahead. From what I understand, this type of geranium is fairly cold-tolerant as long as it’s protected from frost, so Angel should manage just fine in a sheltered spot.

Planting her felt like a true sign that the season has turned, even if the air is still cool. The soil was fresh, the light clear, and the garden just beginning to wake up. Angel was planted into well-draining soil and placed where she can enjoy sunlight without being exposed to strong winds. Sometimes small details make all the difference.

In terms of care, Angel feels refreshingly uncomplicated. Regular watering, good drainage, and gentle feeding during the growing season should be enough to keep her healthy and blooming. She doesn’t ask for much, which suits life at the cottage perfectly.

As spring moves forward, I’m looking forward to seeing how Angel settles in and grows. First-time plants always bring a certain quiet excitement. Angel already feels like she belongs here, and I’m glad I trusted that moment in the store when something simply felt right.

flower, gardening

Hilma

Some plants arrive with a sensible plan behind them, others simply follow the heart. Hilma belongs firmly to the second category. She was not cheap, and I knew that perfectly well while standing there, hesitating just a moment longer than usual. But some colours do that to you. The soft layering, the gentle contrast, the way the petals seem to glow even without direct sunshine — resisting felt pointless. Hilma (Geranium ‘Hilma’) came home with me.

Now she sits on the balcony, where the light shifts slowly through the day. In the mornings, the colours feel cooler and calmer; in the long evenings, they deepen and warm up, almost changing character. This is what I love about geraniums like Hilma — they are never static. They respond to light, temperature, and time in a way that keeps you looking twice.

What draws me to these varieties, again and again, is their reliability. They tolerate cold with remarkable grace, making them ideal companions for northern balconies. Even when nights dip lower and the air feels sharp, they hold on. Six months or more outdoors is not unusual here, and that kind of endurance feels almost generous.

This spring has felt especially full of light. The days stretch endlessly, and even ordinary moments seem brighter for it. Hilma has settled into this rhythm quickly, her foliage healthy and steady, her blooms unhurried but confident. There is no rush — just consistency, day after day.

Sometimes I think that is why I didn’t mind the price after all. Hilma isn’t a fleeting pleasure. She is presence. She stays, she adapts, and she rewards patience. On a northern balcony, surrounded by wind, light, and long evenings, that feels like exactly the kind of plant worth choosing.

flower, gardening

Chatelaine

I do not know why but I lost half of my lupines last winter which was a surprise because they are usually very hardy.

To my delight The Chatelaine (Lupinus ‘The Chatelaine’) started to bloom in the new spot that it was planted this spring.

I am still trying to find more colors. Lupines are so easy flowers for the summer cottage.

flower, gardening

Brachyscome

Something new to the garden. Fell in love with the blooms Brachyscome (Brachyscome hybrida) has.

It is a small flower, only about 15 centimeters tall at this point. It should double its hight during the summer.

Placed it to full sun. The only problem is that it requires regular watering when placed like that and I will not be here to do it.

flower, gardening

Dahlia

It is always a bit tricky to grow Dahlias (Dahlia) up here in the north. They would need a longer summer to bloom well.

This year I decided to buy ready grown plants instead of trying to grow them by myself. At least this way I am able to be sure that I can see the blooms.

Found two that I liked from the store and brought them to the summer cottage. They are very different from each other but were the ones that caught my eye.

flower, gardening

Windsor

Phloxes are blooming beautifully at the moment. The Windsor (Phlox paniculata ‘Windsor’) finally started its show and is the last one of the phloxes to open the blooms.

The summer has been a good one for the phloxes even though they have required a lot of watering.

Planning to have more colors and varieties next year.

flower, gardening

Cerise Queen

The nights are getting longer and colder up here in the north. Days are still nice and warm but you can feel the autumn coming.

Few years ago I had some extra yarrow seeds and just threw them around. The end result is that I now have Cerise Queens (Achillea millefolium ‘Cerise Queen’) growing here and there.

We have the white form of yarrow as a native plant but no other colors. Cerise Queens are easy to spot since they just stand out.

flower, gardening

Sensation

I am usually quite self sufficient when it comes to the Sensation (Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sensation’) seeds but this spring bought some to ensure that all the color varieties are there.

Cosmos likes the warmth and this summer has been good to them.

Sensation grows and blooms quickly which is good for the short summers we have.