Late-Spring Blooms, In Tune with the Moon
Wild roses, blackberry flowers, and wildcrafted simple syrup
Last month, I took a walk through one of my favorite nearby parks. It was a rainy, drizzly day, and on a trail deep in the woods, I came across a grove of ferns. Lush, green, and damp, it felt like I was deep in the Pacific Northwest; but really, this is what New Jersey truly is.
Far off trail, I spotted them. Flowering wild blackberry bushes, their white blossoms poking out from the sea of ferns. What little light there was on this rainy day glimmered down on them, revealing a gap in the tree canopy. A few years ago, when I discovered wild blackberries back at the cottage, I researched all I could about them, and learned that they pop up when there's been a disturbance in the woods, like trees falling, and a gap in the canopy allows sunlight to shine through.
Finding these berries in this moment revealed a kind of magic. With the rain drizzling on the trees, and birdsong echoing through the forest, I breathed deeply. This still, quiet moment in time was Studio Ghibli-like, and I felt that if I looked close enough, I could almost see forest fairies dancing in the grove.
The air felt sacred. Being surrounded by ferns and poison ivy, these blackberries were protected, as no hiker would dare go off trail and risk a rash to reach them. This way, they were reserved for the wildlife, for the deer and the birds and the bears and the foxes. I’ve been noticing lately how Mother Nature works in these ways; while someone may get annoyed at the poison ivy and curse it for keeping them away from the blackberries, I view it as, those berries were never ours to take. Mother Nature provides for the wildlife, too, and these berries will always be their special little treat.
At the Cottage
Humidity weighs heavy in the air, its scent permeating through everything. Through the moonlit forest, the river is rushing. Because the night is so silent, I can hear the river's rapids all the way from back here, from my spot on the deck, reminding me that rivers don't sleep, not even in the dead of night.Â
Rivers keep moving, even in the dark. They don’t stop flowing, ever. We, too, can keep moving forward, even in the dark. At our own paces, yes — but we will always be pushing forward, through any hardship or struggle.
On the night of the full moon, the wild roses bloomed. Their moonshine-colored petals opened up, announcing warmer nights. The blackberry flowers peaked just before the roses came, illuminating the forest. Blooms, blooms, as far as the eye could see. Their fruits will ripen during the hottest months, when their juices will be most welcome!
Last month, I discovered some blackberry bushes that were smaller, with smaller flowers that lost their petals sooner than the rest. My plant ID app believes these are actually black raspberries, and now I'm starting to think they may be! I'm excited to see when they're ripe if they really are raspberries. It amazes me that, even after a few years exploring the woods here at the cottage, there's always something new that we haven't yet discovered!
Foraging and Getting Caught in the Rain
For the first time, I’ve tried my hand at foraging wild roses. I foraged them a few times this season, using the petals for tea. But one hot, sticky, humid day, I felt called to forage some to make into a syrup. So, after work, I went to the park and embarked on an adventure.
It had been hot and sweltering all day, but by the time I got out of my car, clouds and a cooling breeze rolled in. A storm was on its way, and I was lucky to cool off in its teasing breezes. I walked along the river, taking a break to dip my feet and arms into its rushing water, washing off the sweat from earlier in the day. Looking up, I felt welcomed by the tall trees and the rocks creating rapids in the water.
Suddenly, a few drops of water landed on my face. Then, a few more. "What? The radar showed no rain for a few more hours," I thought. But, as always, Mother Nature proves she's in control, and always unpredictable.
Rain began pouring down. First, I threw my arms open wide and embraced the cooling downpour. Then, I ran for cover under the tree canopy. It rained so hard though, nowhere was safe, and still I got soaked while waiting for the storm to pass. But, despite getting so wet, I laughed in glee. How spontaneous! How exciting! I felt so alive! My first time truly caught unprepared in a storm.
Within ten minutes, the storm had passed, and the sun was back out, birds chirping and heat returning. I dried out by my car and changed shoes, and then set off on my journey once more. I made my way up the hill into a field of wildflowers. I took many breaks, admiring the foxgloves, budding blackberries, yarrow, clovers, trefoils, and more. Eventually, I came across a large, cascading bush of wild roses. Unfortunately, this bush had been at her peak a week ago, and now most flowers were gone. But, there were still some. Thanking the bush for her bounty, I gathered enough roses to use for syrup, listening to a chorus of happy tree frogs. Out of the corner of my eye, a flash of blue — an indigo bunting! The first time I've ever seen one! A moment where I felt truly blessed.
Back at the apartment, I mixed the rose petals with water and sugar, making slight adjustments to a recipe for rose simple syrup from, my favorite, Forest + Home by Spencre McGowan. As I stirred the petals in the pot, I realized something: tomorrow is the new moon. The roses bloomed the day of the full moon, and now they’re wilting as I harvest them, on the week of the new moon. How amazing that the cycles of the moon are reflected down here on earth, in the flowers and in nature. Everything is truly connected.
As we move closer to summer, I hope you’re savoring the season, heat, humidity and all. Let me know what you’re discovering this season in the comments!
Click here for the June 2024 Photo Gallery
If you enjoyed this monthly reflection, please consider sharing with others! It’s a joy to build our nature-loving community. You’re also welcome to comment and share how you’re honoring the season.
If you’re not subscribed already, click the button below to make sure you never miss a post! I only post monthly, so you’ll only get an email once a month.