As the Autumn Equinox casts its golden spell upon us, our thoughts naturally drift to cozy sweaters, the crisp scent of falling leaves, and, yes—the ubiquitous pumpkin spice. Yet, amid these seasonal delights, a deeper magic stirs with the Mabon ritual—planning your spring garden. As we approach the first frost in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s not just about bracing for the cold; it’s about weaving intentions for the future and nurturing dreams from the ground up, embracing the balance Mabon brings.
The Magical Timing of Mabon
Mabon, a time of balance between day and night, invites us to align our spiritual practices with the rhythm of the Earth. While the shorter days may whisper of winter’s approach, this is the perfect moment to plant seeds and bury bulbs. Doing so not only combats the impending loss of sunlight but also weaves a promise of renewal and growth into the heart of the colder months.
Gothic Garden Flora
From Pantsing to Planning: My Witchy Garden Evolution
Confession: I’ve always been a garden “pantser,” selecting plants on a whim and going with the celestial flow. Yet, last season’s foray into starting from seeds revealed a more profound satisfaction. There’s a peculiar delight in witnessing the lifecycle of a plant that begins at your fingertips—a true testament to the magic inherent in growth and change.
This year, my patio garden bloomed into my favorite to date—a testament to whimsical spontaneity and the enchanting results of nurturing starters. Each leaf and petal unfurled a story, a spell of its own—complete with a fairy for every flower to boot. But something within me longs to plant from the ground up again, so here I am, giving that a fair shake and “seeding” what happens! 😜🌱
Plan Your Goth Garden: Click for More!
Channeling My Green Witch: Discovering Magical Seeds
This Mabon, my journey led me to a delightful discovery—a small, sustainable treasure called *Hudson Valley Seed Company. Captivated by their unique selection of Gothic flower bundles and moonlit flora, I’m eagerly planning next year’s patio sanctuary while setting my intentions for the next quarter. This venture isn’t just about beautification; it’s about rekindling a connection with the earth and its pollinators—faeries included! 🧚🏻♀️✨🌺
Attract Creatures of the Night with a Midnight Garden!
Intentional Gardening: Infusing Magic Into Every Seed
As I plan my garden for next year, I’m guided by aesthetics and intention. I follow my heart, consult the Farmer’s Almanac, and journal in my witch’s date book to blend practicality with enchantment. Every choice is a spell cast for the future—each bulb a wish for spring’s return, each seed a commitment to the Earth’s well-being.
13 Witchy Plants to Enchant Your Mabon Garden
Here are thirteen garden varieties and sources to consider while planning your darkly whimsical, magical garden this Mabon season. The links below open into new Google search windows so you can choose your own planting adventures. ✨🌱✨
Purpletop Vervain: A Witchy, Pollinator-Friendly Herb
Dracula Celosia: Becomes increasingly dark with more sunlight!
Black Knight Scabiosa: Attracts monarchs and other pollinators. Looks like a velvety pincushion or Gothic brooch.
Black Button Centaurea: Attracts swallowtail butterflies and looks stunning in cut flower arrangements.
Dianthus Barbatus var “Sooty”: Looks like dark chocolate, wine… or blood. Pick your poison!
Nemophila Penny Black: The most Morticia-looking flower I’ve ever seen. 🖤
Sensation Mixed Nicotiana: Also known as flowering tobacco, this plant blooms at night and fills the air with a heavenly scent.
Evening Scented Stock: Another nighttime bloomer to enchant the moonlit air with magical perfume. Feed your dark pollinators, too!
Tulip Palmyra: These double tulips look like peonies—Gothic, lush, Children of the Night peonies.
Purpletop Vervain: If you ever read or watched The Vampire Diaries, you’re no stranger to vervain! It may weaken vampires, but it will strengthen butterflies. 🦋🦇
Moonflower: She’s bright, delicate, and only comes out at night. Need I say more about why this darkling belongs in a witch’s garden?
Catnip: Because, of course, we’ve got to keep our familiars happy too!
Persian Carpet Zinnia: A stunning mix of fiery colors, like embers flowing from a hedge witch’s hearth. Zinnias last a long time and look incredible in arrangements, too!
Rembrandt Snapdragon: Because we witches love our dragons.
Join the Conversation: Share Your Green Witch Stories
How does your garden grow? Are you a spontaneous planter or a careful plotter of your garden’s magic? Do you have any other plants, flowers, or herbs to recommend for a witchy garden? Have you ever planted any of the dark garden gems from my list? Please comment below or connect with me on social media to share your stories of green witchery. I’m always on the lookout for fellow gardeners and flower faeries in the wild!
With love and magic,
~J. 🍂🖤🍁
*Note: this is not an affiliate post, and I’m not an “influencer.” I’m excited about this new adventure and wanted to share it on my blog. 😅 With that said, a few Amazon affiliate links are included herein—all products I use daily. Every click is a way to support this project, and I thank you so much for reading and engaging!
0 Comments