What a sunny spring we had! April was the sunniest since records began (in 1910) and May was also full of sunshine, something the flowers in the Little Muddy Boots gardens are delighted about! With that in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to look at what is blooming in June. We also wanted to share some lovely flower-related activities that little ones will love.
Now that summer is upon us, hopefully the plants in your garden will be growing nicely having had plenty of warm sunshine to start them off. But what flowers can we expect to see on display in June?
Flowers to spot in June
June brings a riot of colour into our outdoor spaces. Here are five flowers to look out for this June.
Amazing Alliums
Alliums generally flower between late spring and early summer so June is the perfect time to spot them. Children will love the explosion of colour (much like a firework!) at the top of their tall, straight stems, made from many little florets (small individual flowers). See how many shades of lilac, indigo and violet you can spot. The colour purple can aid relaxation in an outside space, so these are a good one to have in a calming garden (see our Importance of Colour In The Garden blog for more details).
Carefree Cornflowers
Cornflowers produce vivid blue flowerheads, with star-like blue outer florets and smaller purple flowers in the middle. They can grow well in nutrient-poor soil and are relatively low-maintenance (hence our affectionate nickname for them!). They can often be spotted growing in the wild, such as in fields or along roadsides.
Lovely Lupins
Like Alliums, Lupins flower between May and June. They produce a wonderful cone-shaped arragement of flowers atop long stems. They come in a wide variety of colours and are easy to spot, often standing tall beside their flowerbed neighbours.
Picture-perfect Peonies
Who doesn’t love peonies? Their round buds hold such promise that do not disappoint once they reveal themselves! Pink, coral, red and white are popular colours. Lots of large petals create a beautifully full shape. Peonies generally flower between April and mid-June, so there is still time to sport these show-stopping beauties.
Radiant Roses
With velvet-looking petals and their signature scent, roses are instantly recognisable. See if you can spot shrubs and climbing varieties around your local area with your child. Many species of rose begin to bloom in May, making June the perfect time to see them on display. Lean in close for a smell but don’t forget to tell your little one to mind the thorns!
Flower-related activities to do with your child
- Sketch a flower – Have your little one draw a flower from still life. Talk about its distinctive features beforehand and then get them to put pen to paper and unleash their creativity.
- Make a flower collage – gather natural items from around the garden (like fallen petals, twigs, grasses and leaves) and create a beautiful flower collage.
- Plant some seeds – plant sunflower or cosmos seeds in June for some late summer blooms!
- Conduct a flower survey – go for a walk and count how many different kinds of flowers you spot. Are there any from our list above?
For more fantastic gardening-related reads, take a look at our blog.
