May is a special month. Everything seems to burst into bloom at once, the garden fills with color, and the air carries scents that invite you to close your eyes and search in your memory that special moment linked to that fragrance. Among all the flowers this season gifts me, there are three that always warm my heart: peonies, lilacs, and fragrant antique English roses. And though they all have their charm… once again, I find myself choosing the roses. These roses that I’ve been collecting for so long that I don’t recall when or why did I started, but that fills me with calm and gratitude.
🌸 The Elegant Beauty of Peonies
Peonies are queens in their own right. Their full, silky petals range from pure white to the deepest pink, creating a show that lasts only a few weeks. Maybe that’s why we cherish them so much. On the farm, when peonies bloom, everything seems to pause for a moment, as if the time itself would like to admire them too…
🌿 The Unmistakable Scent of Lilacs
Lilacs carry a bit of nostalgia, childhood memories, and old garden vibes. Their fragrance transports you. Walking past one of our lilac bushes on the farm, it’s impossible not to stop and smile. These flowers speak softly and fill your heart.
🌹 The Stars of the Show: Fragrant Antique Roses
There’s a moment when the garden truly shines — when the fragrant antique roses bloom.
They don’t have the artificial perfection of florist roses, nor do they last as long, but they are alive and absolutely have soul.
Each one is a unique work of natural art, with imperfect shapes, colors full of impossible shades, and a scent that feels like a love letter from the past.
You can’t force them or control them. They simply are. And that’s what I love most.
On the Farm, Roses Arrive as a Promise
May means romantic, slightly messy bouquets made from the first antique roses of the year.
These flowers don’t just decorate; they tell stories of time, care, and respect for nature.
This month, my floral arrangements all revolve around fragrant antique roses.
I pair them with wildflowers, lavender, flowering thyme, or the occasional peony that sneaks in.
💫 A Flower That Connects Me
Choosing flowers isn’t just about looks.
It’s a way to connect with the seasons, the rhythm of the earth, and a slower, more mindful lifestyle.
Fragrant antique roses, fragile yet strong, remind me that real beauty isn’t symmetrical, eternal, or perfect.
It’s fleeting. It’s free. And it’s theirs.
🌿 Flowers to Live With and Share
Flowers don’t just decorate — they nourish the soul and sometimes the body.
Cooking with them creates an even deeper bond with nature and ourselves.
This May, let yourself be enchanted by fragrant antique roses and lilacs — not only in the garden but also on your table.
💜 Recipe: Lilac and Honey Lemonade
Fresh, floral, and surprising. This lilac lemonade is perfect for a spring brunch or welcoming guests at the farm.
Ingredients:
- 1 liter water
- Juice of 3 lemons
- 2 tablespoons mild honey
- 1 small cup of lilac flowers (just the petals, no stems)
- Ice and lemon slices to garnish
Instructions:
- Bring the water to a boil and add the lilac flowers.
- Turn off the heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain, then stir in the honey and lemon juice.
- Chill well and serve over ice with garnishes.
🍋 Result: A delicate, floral, naturally sweet drink.
🌹 Recipe: Homemade Rose Water (for cooking or natural skincare)
Making rose water at home is like capturing the garden’s scent in a bottle.
Use it to flavor desserts, teas, cocktails, or as a gentle facial toner.
Ingredients:
- 2 handfuls of untreated antique rose petals
- 250 ml distilled (or low-mineral) water
- Optional: a few drops of lemon juice (to help preserve)
Instructions:
- Gently rinse the petals with cold water.
- Place them in a saucepan with the water.
- Heat gently on low (don’t boil!), covered, for about 20 minutes.
- When petals lose color, remove from heat.
- Let cool, strain, and store in a sterilized glass jar.
🧊 Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 7 days (for skincare) or 3–4 days (for culinary use).
- Freeze in ice cube trays to extend shelf life.
✨ How to use it:
- Add a teaspoon to sparkling wine or kombucha for a floral twist.
- Stir into honey and yogurt for a poetic breakfast.
- Use as a natural facial toner every morning.
💐 This recipe celebrates the ephemeral and authentic, bringing roses beyond the vase straight into your daily joy and wellness.
If you try any of these recipes, I’d love to see them!
Share with #FloralCookingInMay or come taste them at the farm! ✨
