There’s a tradition in these parts where one collects a bouquet of seven flowers (Juhannuskimppu) — wildflowers, preferably — and puts them under their pillow on midsummer’s night to dream of their future love. Midsummer was yesterday, and I’ve been married a good long while, but I do appreciate a good bouquet still. So here’s an offering straight from Nordic folklore for IAVOM.
The wildflowers vary from region to region and from year to year. When I did this several years ago, I was able to find fireweed and red clover, but neither was out yet this time. Technically, this particular columbine isn’t a native, but the more common form is, and these ones pop up wherever they please like wildflowers, so I’m counting it.
The seven flowers of midsummer 2026:
- Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
- Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
- Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
- Red Campion (Silene dioica)
- Spreading Bellflower (Campanula patula)
- Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
- Dark Columbine (Aquilegia atrata)
Find more Monday vases over at Cathy’s Rambling in the Garden.
3 responses to “In a Vase on Monday | 22nd June 2026”
Wildflowers as the start of summer! Beautiful.
There’s an appalling shortage of wildflowers in my own garden at this time of year but I like the sentiment!
What a wonderful tradition! I love all the flowers, but the Dark Columbine is really special. <3