A Time to See Beyond
As the days reach their longest stretch and the early summer air begins to hum with a quiet fullness, we are invited into a moment of reflection under the light of the Strawberry Full Moon, rising in the early hours of Wednesday, June 11. Named by Algonquin-speaking peoples for the time of wild strawberry gathering, this moon marks a turning point—sweet, brief, and ripe with meaning.
This year, the Strawberry Moon carries another rare gift: it will sit unusually low on the horizon (the lowest in 18 years), its orange-gold glow stretched and magnified by Earth’s atmosphere. It will appear larger than usual, a reminder of how perspective can shift the way we see the world. In the quiet of that night, the moon may feel closer—like a companion offering both light and insight.
A Sagittarius Full Moon
This full moon arrives in Sagittarius, the sign of the seeker. Ruled by Jupiter, the great expander, Sagittarius asks us to cast our gaze outward and inward at once: to search for meaning, to explore belief, and to consider how we might live more fully in alignment with our values. It’s a moon for questions, for releasing rigid expectations, and for opening ourselves to what lies beyond the edge of what we thought we knew.
In the garden, we turn to two plants that reflect these themes: Sweet William and Mugwort.
Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William)
As June unfurls, Sweet William is just reaching its peak—clusters of blooms in vibrant pinks and whites that seem to smile at the sun and shimmer under the moon. Their scent is light but nostalgic, drifting up gently as the night cools. Traditionally a symbol of gallantry and admiration, this flower echoes the open-hearted courage of Sagittarius. To grow Sweet William is to invite beauty and boldness into the garden, to hold space for brightness even in the dusk.
Planted in the border or along a path, Sweet William adds softness and structure. Its upright blooms are perfect for a moon garden, catching and reflecting the silvery light in early summer’s long evenings. As a biennial or short-lived perennial in the Pacific Northwest, it asks us to plan ahead—another nod to the long view Sagittarius encourages.
Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort)
Growing quietly in the margins and edges, Mugwort is a plant of dreams and remembrance. Its ferny silver-green leaves shimmer in moonlight, and its earthy, slightly bitter scent hints at its deeper powers. In folk traditions from Europe to East Asia, Mugwort has been used to promote vivid dreams, clear vision, and spiritual awareness. It is a plant of liminality—a guide across thresholds and a keeper of ancient wisdom.
This month, Mugwort is full and vibrant in the PNW, spreading with a confidence that mirrors the expansiveness of this Sagittarian moon. If you're called to ritual or reflection, consider gathering a few leaves to dry for dream pillows, teas, or incense. Or simply sit beside it in the evening and ask what it has to teach you. Some plants don’t need to speak aloud to be heard.
The Rhythms of June
In moon gardening, we’re not only tending to plants—we’re tending to time, rhythm, and our place within a greater cycle. The Strawberry Moon reminds us to honor both what is ripening and what is just beginning to take shape. It calls us to walk outside, bare feet on earth, and look up. To notice. To listen. To dream.
At Eco-Restore, we believe gardens are more than beautiful spaces—they are living systems for healing, connection, and renewal. If you’d like help bringing lunar or seasonal rhythms into your garden—whether through fragrant moonlight blooms, herbal pathways, or spaces for quiet reflection—we’d be honored to support you.
Let us help you design a garden that reflects not only the landscape, but your own unfolding story.
