In May, all risk of frost has passed in most regions of the UK. Many flower, herb, and vegetable seeds can be planted directly outside. Seeds that were planted earlier can now be planted outside after being exposed to the weather for a while.
Plenty of seeds can be sown indoors, too, including more tender crops like cucumber and melon. Young plants will be safe from slugs and snails if you plant them indoors. If you plant them outside when they’re big enough, you’ll give them an advantage over pests.
You can plant fruit trees and shrubs in pots all year long, like fig trees, citrus trees, and gooseberries. However, May is the last month to plant strawberry runners in case you want to get a crop this year.
May is here, and that means it’s time to get planting if you want to enjoy a blossoming garden this summer. With the right flower seeds planted now, your garden will soon be bursting with color and fragrance for months to come. In this article, we’ll go over some of the best flower varieties that thrive when planted in May, so you can choose the perfect flowers to make your garden shine.
Why May is a Great Time to Plant Flowers
Late spring is prime planting time in many regions. The danger of frost has usually passed soil temperatures are warming up and there’s still plenty of time for flowers planted now to become established before hot summer weather arrives.
May is an ideal month for sowing many popular annuals, perennials, and biennials from seed directly in the garden The conditions are just right for germination and growth. Many flower species that begin blooming in early summer perform best when planted in May
So don’t delay – clear a space, prepare the soil, grab your seeds and let’s get planting! Here are some of the top flower varieties to sow when May comes around:
Excellent Annual Flowers to Plant in May
Sunflowers
No flower says summer quite like sunflowers. These cheerful annuals come in a range of heights and bloom sizes. Plant some seeds directly in the ground 6-8 weeks before the last frost for flowers by midsummer. Mini varieties mature more quickly. Sunflowers thrive in full sun and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Give them plenty of space to grow their large, showy blooms.
Zinnias
Few flowers can match zinnias for vivid color and endless blooms. These hardy annuals begin flowering within a couple months of planting and don’t stop until frost. With abundant choices like giant dahlia-flowered zinnias, colorful pixie types, or elegant cactus varieties, it’s easy to add bold zinnia flowers to beds, borders, and containers. Start seeds after the last frost date and be prepared for a spectacular flower show all summer long.
Cosmos
With lovely open blooms and feathery foliage, cosmos bring a delicate beauty to the garden. These fast-growing annuals start readily from seed planted directly outdoors once the soil warms up. Both tall and dwarf types are available in single and double flower forms. Cosmos thrive in average soil with good drainage and plenty of sun. Give them room to spread out and snip off spent blooms to encourage more flowers until frost.
Cornflower
Also known as bachelor’s button, cornflower produces abundant rounded blooms ideal for cutting. The floral colors range from brilliant blue to pink, purple, and white. Cornflowers have a long bloom period through summer into fall. Start seeds outside after the last spring frost. These adaptable plants do well in borders and containers located in full sun. Deadhead regularly for the best display.
Fantastic Perennials to Plant in May
Phlox
Garden phlox provides an excellent source of fragrance and color from midsummer into fall. These perennials come in a range of heights, from dwarf types under 1 foot to tall border phlox over 4 feet. Flower hues include white, pink, red, lavender and blends. Give phlox full sun to partial shade and fertile, moist soil. Start seeds now for flowers that attract butterflies by late summer. Established clumps can be divided in spring as well.
Scabious
Known as pincushion flower, scabious produces rounded, fluffy blooms in shades of pink, purple, yellow and white. These long-blooming perennials grow 1-3 feet tall. Sow seeds outdoors in May for flowers that attract pollinators. Scabious tolerates heat, humidity and drought once established. Grow it in full sun to light shade and average, well-drained soil. Deadheading spent blooms promotes more flowering.
Ammi
Also called false Queen Anne’s lace, ammi is treasured for its umbrella-shaped blooms and lacy foliage. It brings an airy, delicate texture to flower arrangements and gardens. This annual or short-lived perennial can self-sow freely. Direct sow seeds in May for white flowers in summer. Give ammi full sun, good drainage, and plenty of space to develop its 2-4 foot tall form. It pairs beautifully with other garden flowers and grasses.
Gorgeous Biennials to Start in May
Foxglove
The bell-like blooms of foxglove provide vertical accents to the early summer garden. This classic cottage garden biennial comes in a variety of colors like purple, pink, yellow, and white. Foxglove does best in part shade with rich, moist soil. Direct sow seeds outdoors in May and you’ll have flower spikes next year. Handle foxglove carefully – the plant contains cardiac glycosides. But its nectar also supports bees!
Hollyhock
Majestic hollyhock towers over other flowers with its spires of colorful blossoms up to 8 feet tall. This classic revival biennial blooms the second year after planting. Give hollyhock full sun to partial shade and fertile soil. Soak the large seeds before planting outdoors in May. Provide sturdy support for mature plants. Rust disease can be an issue, so allow for good air circulation.
Forget-Me-Not
Dainty forget-me-nots flourish in shade gardens and along stream banks. These biennials produce masses of pretty blue flowers in spring. Direct sow seeds in May for blooms next year. Give forget-me-nots constantly moist soil and partial to full shade. Let them self sow for dense carpets of color. Other flower colors like white and pink are also available.
More Tips for Growing Flowers from Seeds
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Check seed packets for the recommended planting time and conditions. Match flowers to the sun, soil and moisture levels your garden offers.
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Prepare garden beds well by clearing weeds, loosening soil, and mixing in compost or fertilizer. Good drainage is key.
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Follow planting directions and sow seeds at their optimal planting depth. Some seeds barely need covering while others grow deeper.
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Water gently and keep soil moist but not soaked until seedlings emerge. A light mulch can help retain moisture. Avoid washing out tiny seeds.
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Thin overcrowded seedlings to give plants room to grow to their mature size and prevent competition.
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Control weeds which steal water, nutrients and sunlight from developing flowers. Weed by hand or apply organic mulch.
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Provide support systems like trellises and cages for vines, tall flowers and heavy bloomers that tend to flop over when mature.
Get Planting!
Now that you know some of the best flower varieties to start from seed in May, it’s time to get planting for gorgeous blooms this summer. Prepare your flower beds, select your seeds, follow planting directions, and get ready to enjoy homegrown blossoms.
With a bit of planning and care, those tiny seeds you tuck into the earth this month will soon unfurl their petals and bring months of bright, beautiful color to your garden. So let’s get sowing!
French and runner beans
Now is the time to plant French beans, runner beans, and soybeans directly outside. Dwarf French cultivars can be grown in pots. Support climbing beans with a teepee of canes. If you planted beans in pots or multi-celled trays last month, you can now plant them outside after letting them harden off for a while. Make sure to keep slugs and snails away from young plants.
Basil will grow outside, but it does best in hot, sunny places. This makes May the best month to plant it and keep it inside, on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. Sow direct in pots or in seed trays to transplant later.
Kohlrabi is a weird-looking but delicious vegetable that’s not widely grown. It’s quick-growing and reaches maturity in just a couple of months. Sow like other brassicas and harvest when no bigger than a tennis ball.
Vegetables to plant in May
If you’re new to growing vegetables, beetroot is a good, easy-to-grow option. The seeds don’t need much encouragement to germinate and they require little maintenance once established. One of the most popular types of beetroot to grow is “Boltardy.” You could also try “Touchstone Gold,” which has a more unusual color. Sow seeds direct in shallow drills or pots. Also, now is the time to plant beetroot plugs that have already been sown outside. Make sure you plant them before the roots form, or they will grow in strange ways.
You should wait until May to plant sweet corn so that the plants have enough time to grow and ripen. It works best to plant seeds indoors in a multi-celled tray and then move them outside when they are big enough to handle. Any sweetcorn plants sown in April can be planted out now, after a period of hardening off.
Cucumbers do best in a greenhouse but some newer varieties have been bred to tolerate outside conditions. Sow into multi-celled seed trays or individual pots and pot on when seedlings are large enough to handle.
An extremely robust crop, sprouting broccoli produces nutrient-packed, succulent spears, which are perfect for steaming, boiling and grilling. Broccoli is easy to grow, and if you grow different kinds, you can pick spears all winter long and into spring. Sow into seed trays or small pots and pot on until they’re ready to plant out.
Carrots are a fantastic, easy-to-grow crop to raise from seed. As well as the classic orange cultivars, you could also try growing colourful cultivars such as ‘Yellowstone’. Sow into shallow drills of well-prepared, stone-free soil, or in pots.
Courgettes can be direct-sown in well-prepared soil outside or in pots or multi-celled trays for transplanting later on. They also work well in containers. Plants sown last month can also be planted out now, once acclimatised. Protect young plants from slugs and snails and water regularly. Courgettes are hungry crops – feed them weekly once they’ve started flowering.
Rocket is a quick-growing crop that takes up little space. Direct-sow seeds on top of moist, multi-purpose compost. This is great for pots and will keep slugs and snails away from new seedlings. Plant something new every couple of weeks to get a steady crop all summer, and harvest when you need to.
What Flowers to Sow in May | Flowers to Sow in Spring | What to Sow Now!
Should I sow flowers in May?
If you are planning a cut flower garden, many glorious and productive fast-growing plants can be sowed in May to give you a plethora of blooms to cut during summer and early fall. Should I sow flowers indoors or outdoors in May?
What flowers can you plant in May?
Zinnias are beautiful flowers to plant in May, and they can provide vibrant color for your garden. Celosia is another great option for adding beauty and texture to your outdoor space. 4. Celosia Celosia is a beautiful, vibrant flower that adds flair to your garden. This low-maintenance annual can be grown in many climates and requires minimal care.
Should you plant plants in May?
Whether it is colorful summer bedding plants, half-hardy flowers you have grown from seed, or perennials that took your eye at the garden center – there is lots to plant in May when the risk of frost passes for your location.
What flowers bloom in May & beyond?
To prevent this, make sure you plant a few late spring flowers to transition your garden into the summer season. Here are 11 of the best flowers that bloom in May and beyond. The large-flowered alliums typically bloom from May to June. These ornamental members of the onion family are grown for their beauty rather than their flavor.
