The slow subtle shift that marks the transition from the excitement of spring to the respite of summer begins as the tentative, pale greens of April and May deepen into a lush, confident gardens. Early summer air, once sharp with the promise of spring rain, progressively warms as the landscape matures. It’s a period of settled strength.

The dawn chorus of birds, which heralded the arrival of spring, tapers into the rhythmic drone of cicadas and crickets. Lawnmowers begin their steady, metallic buzz scenting the air with the sharp, green smell of cut grass. Light itself changes, turning from a soft, cool yellow into a heavy, golden amber that stretches late into the evening. 

There’s growth in our thoughtfully layered gardens and wild spaces. Roses reach their peak, peonies become heavy with petals, and honeysuckle scents. It is a time of intense growth and bounty. Mature trees provide us with a thick canopy that casts cool shadows. A unique kind of energy fills passing days and curated spaces with a palpable tension – a balance between the desire to be active in the pleasant temperatures and the seasonal urge to slow down and lounge in the stillness.

The sky often appears a deeper, more intense blue, with clouds forming high, white, and lazy, drifting across the horizon. And, as the days reach their maximum length around the solstice, we can all stop to catch a breath. ‘Tis the finest season – everything is fully alive and operating at its peak capacity.

Life is vibrant and the air is full and much-loved sunny days are ours to relish.

Caroline Tapp-McDougall,
Editor-in-Chief
caroline@bcsgroup.com

Photo: Shutterstock