13 flowers for planting in May

If you missed your chance to plant spring bulbs, don’t worry—there are still plenty of flowers to plant in May! While some of these flowers are only annuals, this spring month is perfect for bringing some color to your backyard. This color usually lasts all summer long, which makes these options worthwhile!

Some of the best flowers to plant in May can be grown directly from seed, including poppies, natana, and sunflowers. Other options work best when purchased as established plants, such as marigolds or hibiscus. However, some flowers planted during this month return year after year, such as lavender and mint. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Just be sure to pay attention to the area of ​​gravity and local temperatures!

Now is the time to go to the garden, whether or not you plan to grow any vegetables. Flowers are a great place to start in the garden, especially if you’re new to planting and growing things. If you simply want to refresh and curb appeal in your landscape, check out some great flower options that grow even better when planted in May!

The 13 best flowers to plant in May

Knowing the gravity zone and position of the sun where you want to plant flowers is key to gardening success. Most flowers need full sun to produce large blooms, but too much heat can cause your petals to wilt. However, many of the options on this list bloom easily and grow well with very little care, making your life easier! It all depends on your garden, the type of flower you’re hoping for, and the weather. Timing is everything when it comes to gardening, but practice makes perfect!

While there are more flowers to plant in May than this list can cover, here are 13 options to try right now.

calla lilies;

Calla lilies grow from their roots, and do best in full sun or partial shade, depending on how hot the summer is. Before planting, make sure your soil temperature is over 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you choose to grow your calla lilies in a container, this is a good option due to the fact that you can bring them indoors during the winter. For the most part, calla lilies are very easy to care for and require regular watering and fertilizing, but they can be left alone.

catment

Another plant that is best left alone has to be catkins. The catnip relative does best in full sunlight and is safe to plant in most areas through May. Producing attractive dark foliage and delicate pink or purple flowers that resemble lavender, mint grows quickly and thrives in dry conditions and cool temperatures. It’s one of the easiest plants to grow on this list (although there are some great options!). Remember, this catnip relative will actually attract cats, so keep that in mind if you don’t want a friendly feline visiting your yard!

xenias

If you’re a beginner gardener, zinnias are a great place to start. Make sure all frost dates have passed in your local area before you plant zinnia seeds. Otherwise, this is your primary concern when it comes to zinnia flower care. You can find zinnias in a myriad of varieties, colors, and sizes. They do best in full sunlight and breezy locations, where circulating air helps them ward off most diseases. Sow these seeds directly where you want them to grow, thinning the seedlings as they germinate. Planting them near your vegetable garden may help bring in pollinators to your crops!

lavender

If you don’t already have a lavender bush on your property, now is the time to plant one! Most lavender cultivars grow in a similar manner, with French and English lavender among the most popular choices. Plant the lavender bush in full sunlight like almost all flowers, but make sure the soil is well drained. Overwatering and root rot are the primary killers of lavender plants, but this flower is easy to care for. Prune it back in fall or spring, when its fragrant flowers have died back. This will also help you avoid the dry, rough look.

peonies

Depending on where you live, peonies can be planted through May as long as temperatures remain moderate. However, there are so many different types of peonies that you are likely to find one that does well in your area. Most peonies are hardy in zones 3 through 8. Keep in mind that peonies planted in spring may need up to a year before they produce pretty blooms. However, peonies are one of the longest-lived flowers found all over the world, producing gorgeous blooms for decades and decades!

marigolds;

Whether you buy marigolds as well-established seedlings or from seed, this flower grows easily and bushily. Marigolds prefer full sun, bloom all summer long, and produce more flowers if you cut them back mid-season. Growing them from seed is just as easy as growing established plants. Just make sure your soil has some nutritional value to it, and water marigolds at the base of the plant rather than over the top to avoid mildew.

star

There are a number of different types of asters that you should grow, but be sure to plant them according to your region. Resembling tulips and found in colors ranging from white to purple, asters are best when planted long after all nights of frost have passed. These flowers bloom in mid to late summer and offer a later growing season than most of the others on this list. Plus, they are perennials that reproduce easily, giving you your asters for years to come! Just be sure to plant it in full sun and prune it back as the flowers die back for best results.

begonia

You can grow begonias in partial shade, especially if you live in a particularly warm area. With countless varieties and so much color, begonias are one of the most versatile flowers to consider planting in May. You can grow them in containers, hanging planters, garden beds, and more. Make sure your soil is well drained and nutritious, because begonias suffer most of all from root rot. Otherwise, this flower is beautiful and returns easily year after year with proper care.

lantana

A great flower for attracting pollinators, especially butterflies, lantana can be easily grown from seed or plants in your garden. This flowering shrub is a perennial when grown in zones 8 through 11, preferring full sun and soil that dries out between waterings. You can find lantana plants in a number of colors, with some shrubs offering multiple shades on a single plant. This is another great flower for beginners, as it is very forgiving as long as you don’t over water it!

Roselle

Knowing your region and the type of hibiscus plant you want is key to the success of this particular flower. Hibiscus trees are very much a tropical plant and are available in hardier varieties, with some options able to withstand cooler temperatures. However, hibiscus flowers prefer full sunlight and moist soil, although too much sunlight may cause these delicate flowers to wilt. This is certainly not a plant to give to beginners, but these beautiful flowers are unlike any other when properly cared for!

sunflower

Did you know that some types of sunflowers reach nearly 10 feet in height? No matter what type of sunflower you choose, their care lives up to their name: Plant them in full sun! These beauties thrive in full sunlight and soil temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They also do best when grown directly from seed rather than from well-established plants. Sunflowers attract the heads of pollinators, birds, and other creatures to follow the sun. You can harvest these easy-to-grow flowers at the end of their season for their heads full of seeds!

Glory morning

While these flowers need full sun, it’s important to plant morning glories with care. This vine can easily take over any garden it’s planted in, which is why it’s wise to train it to a trellis or archway. Morning glories are available in a few select colors, attract plenty of pollinators, and grow quickly. They are frost sensitive, so be sure to plant these seeds directly into your soil once all the cold snaps have passed! Due to the nature of the vines, some morning glories are considered invasive, so check with your area before planting.

poppies

If you’re looking for another flower that’s easily grown from seed, poppies are a great choice for May. From gorgeous red poppies to tiny California poppies, this wildflower easily restores seed and returns year after year if left unattended. They thrive in full sunlight like many other flowers, but poppies are generally able to grow in most soil conditions. These seeds do best when sown directly on the surface of the soil. However, keep in mind that the wind may carry poppy seeds all over your entire garden if you’re not careful!

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