May is one of the most delightful months for gardeners across the UK. The garden is transforming into a riot of colour and life, and with warmer temperatures and longer days, it’s the perfect time to plant flowers that will bloom throughout summer and beyond. Whether you have a sprawling country garden, a quaint suburban plot or a compact urban balcony, May offers countless opportunities to introduce stunning floral displays that will bring joy and fragrance to your outdoor spaces.
Embracing the Height of Spring and Early Summer
By May, many spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips have finished flowering, but the garden is far from quiet. This month is ideal for planting summer-flowering bulbs such as dahlias, gladiolus and cannas. These bulbs thrive when planted in well-drained, sunny spots and will provide spectacular colour and height in borders and containers throughout summer.
May is also the perfect time to plant tender perennials and flowering shrubs. Plants like fuchsias, pelargoniums and hydrangeas can be introduced now, giving them time to establish before the hotter months arrive. Perennials such as echinacea, rudbeckia and asters sown or planted in May will reward you with a long season of blooms.
Sowing Seeds and Direct Planting
May is an excellent month for sowing hardy annuals outdoors, including sunflowers, cosmos, and nasturtiums. These easy-to-grow flowers add vibrant colour and attract pollinators, helping to support your garden’s biodiversity.
For those looking to extend the flowering season, sowing biennials such as foxgloves and sweet williams now will ensure a spectacular display next year. If you prefer instant gratification, planting bedding plants and hanging basket favourites like petunias and lobelia will brighten patios and balconies immediately.
Creating Lush Container Gardens
Containers and hanging baskets are especially rewarding in May. You can plant a wide variety of summer-flowering plants to create lush, colourful displays. Consider mixing trailing plants like ivy geraniums or bacopa with upright plants such as salvias or dahlias for texture and visual interest.
Regular feeding with a balanced liquid fertiliser and consistent watering will keep your container plants healthy and flowering prolifically throughout the summer.
Soil Preparation and Plant Care
As the weather warms, it’s vital to keep soil in good condition. May is a good time to add mulch around your plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Organic mulches like composted bark or garden compost improve soil quality as they break down.
Watering becomes more important this month, especially for young plants and containers. Early morning or late evening watering reduces evaporation and helps plants absorb moisture more effectively.
Adapting to Smaller Spaces
For gardeners with limited space, May offers many options. Compact varieties of flowers like dwarf dahlias, violas and calibrachoas perform wonderfully in pots and window boxes. Vertical gardening using climbing plants such as sweet peas, morning glories and clematis can add height and colour without using up valuable floor space.
Choosing plants with varying bloom times and heights helps create layered, dynamic displays even in small areas.
Sustainability and Wildlife Friendly Choices
Planting native flowers and species known to attract bees and butterflies helps support declining pollinator populations. Flowers such as lavender, foxgloves and echinacea are excellent choices for a wildlife-friendly garden.
Using organic, peat-free compost and avoiding chemical pesticides also encourages a healthier garden ecosystem. Collecting rainwater for irrigation is a great way to conserve water during drier months.
In Summary
May is a vibrant, bustling month for gardeners in the UK, offering endless opportunities to plant flowers that will brighten your garden through summer and into autumn. Whether planting summer bulbs, sowing seeds or creating container displays, your efforts now will lead to a flourishing and colourful outdoor space that delights the senses and supports local wildlife.
