Plants You Can Still Start in May for Summer Blooms
May is an ideal time to cultivate a vibrant summer garden, as the warming soil and longer days offer prime conditions for quick growth. To create a lush, colorful oasis that persists through the summer, opt for the following fast-growing and heat-tolerant plants that can be sown or transplanted this month.
Ageratum
With fuzzy, blue to purple blooms that persist through summer, this compact plant thrives in full sun to light shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Ideal for borders and containers, it also attracts butterflies. Seeds or young plants can be used to introduce Ageratum into your garden.
Marigolds
Marigolds are hardy, low-maintenance flowers that bring vivacious shades of yellow, orange, and red to summer gardens. French and African marigolds are the most prevalent types. Once established, they flourish in hot, sunny spots and can survive dry conditions. These flowers also serve a practical purpose by helping repel some garden pests. Sow the seeds directly in the ground or start them in containers for rapid results.
Cosmos
Airy and daisy-like Cosmos require minimal care and grow quickly from seed, adapting well to heat. They favor full sun and tolerate poor soil. These flowers are irresistible to bees and butterflies, adding movement and life to any garden. Cosmos blossom multiple times throughout summer with little watering.
Sunflowers
Iconic sunflowers, with their towering stems and bright yellow petals, can be planted in May, allowing you to enjoy flowers by mid to late summer. These charming blooms excel in full sun and well-drained soil, coming in various sizes, from dwarf options for containers to giant varieties for the back of your garden. Sunflowers are cherished by birds and bees and provide appealing pollinator habitat.
Nasturtiums
Native to South America, Nasturtiums boast colorful blooms and edible leaves. These hardy heat-lovers do best in full sun to part shade and excel in poor soil, which promotes more blooms. The seeds can be sown directly in warm soil, and blossoms come in bright red, orange, and yellow tones. They attract bees and hummingbirds while also deterring certain garden pests.
Petunias
Popular in gardens worldwide, Petunias offer brilliant, trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors. These sun-loving annuals are effortless to grow from transplants or seed and bloom continually through summer. They are adaptable, thriving in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Regular deadheading encourages ongoing blooming, and some fragrant varieties add a delightful scent to your garden.
Salvia
Sugar-like or fragrant Salvia blooms in various shades of purple, blue, red, or pink, shimmering in summer gardens. These drought-tolerant plants thrive in sunny spots and grow well in average soil. Performing well as both annuals and perennials, Salvia is an excellent pollinator magnet, drawing butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Calendula
Also known as pot marigold, Calendula offers cheerful yellow or orange blooms. Ideal for cooler temperatures, they still perform admirably when planted in May in most regions. Calendula seeds germinate quickly in warm soil and tolerate light frost in cooler regions. Their edible flowers are frequently used in herbal remedies, and they attract various pollinators while deterring some pests.
Verbena
Verbena flourishes in hot weather, featuring small but brightly colored clusters of flowers. This versatile plant works well in containers, hanging baskets, or borders and does well in well-drained soil. Regular trimming encourages fresh growth and more blooms, as Verbena is heat-tolerant and attractive to butterflies.
Celosia
With its unique feathery or coral-like blooms, Celosia brings rich hues of red, orange, pink, and yellow to your garden. These perennials enjoy full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Celosia is perfect for filling gaps between larger plants, acts as a bold statement in garden beds, and even makes attractive arrangements when dried.
Coreopsis
A low-maintenance flower, Coreopsis offers small, daisy-like blooms from early summer through fall. Full sun and average soil suit these hardy plants, attracting butterflies with their vibrant yellow or red-and-yellow petals. Annual and perennial varieties are available, both suitable for planting in May.
Morning Glories
Morning Glories are quick-growing vines with trumpet-shaped flowers that open with the morning sun. Planting seeds in May allows plenty of time for the vines to climb and bloom during summer. They excel in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring a trellis or fence for support. Morning Glories attract pollinators and come in an array of blue, purple, pink, and white shades. Ensure toxic seeds are kept away from pets and children.
Sweet Alyssum
Featuring tiny, fragrant flowers that create a carpet of white, pink, or purple, Sweet Alyssum thrives in both full sun and partial shade. Ideal for borders, hanging baskets, or filling in empty spaces, this flower attracts beneficial insects and tolerates cooler nights with regular watering.
Impatiens
Impatiens thrive in shade, offering soft, colorful blooms in pink, red, white, and purple. They excel in moist, well-drained soil and require regular watering, especially in warmer weather. Easy to cultivate from transplants or seed, Impatiens are perfect for containers, window boxes, and garden beds in shady areas.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are upright, spiky flowers that open to reveal a colorful, intricate display of bright foliage. Although they favor cooler temperatures, they can still be planted in May, especially in regions with milder springs. These versatile flowers grow best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Snapdragons feature ornamental blooms and attract bees, making them valuable for pollinator gardens.
Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Vividly colored, drought-tolerant, and soil-forgiving, Portulaca is an excellent choice for rock gardens or containers. Its flowers open in full sun, creating rose-like blooms in hues like pink, yellow, orange, and white. These hardy plants grow quickly from seed or starts, propagating easily with minimal effort.
Dianthus
Dianthus boasts small, clove-scented flowers that bloom in shades of pink, red, and white. Easy to cultivate in garden beds or containers, these low-maintenance plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. While some varieties are annuals, others can return each year. Deadheading promotes ongoing flowering for extended garden color.
Bachelor's Buttons (Cornflowers)
Famous for their vibrant blue hue, although other tones exist, Bachelor's Buttons grow easily from seed and excel in full sun with average soil. Ideal for cutting or arranging, these charming flowers attract bees and butterflies. They bloom by early to mid-summer after planting seeds in May.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia is a tough perennial flower that stands out in warm colors like red, orange, and yellow. These vibrant blooms grow well in full sun and poor soil, thriving in sunny, sandy areas. Attract bees and butterflies while enjoying their bright, sunburst appearance. Planting seeds in May yields flowers by mid-summer.
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia, or black-eyed Susan, features attractive, yellow or orange petals with a dark center. These perennials grow well in full sun and a variety of soils. While some Rudbeckia types flower the first year after planting seeds in May, others are established perennials. The late-summer blooms are wonderful for pollinator gardens.
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
Globe Amaranth boasts small, round, clover-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. This heat-tolerant annual loves sunny spots and well-drained soil, quickly growing from seed or starting in May. Its long-lasting flowers make excellent arrangements both while fresh and after drying.
Lantana
Brilliantly colored, Lantana offers clusters of tiny flowers in mixed hues like pink, orange, and yellow. These perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Their low-maintenance nature makes them suitable for the garden or containers.
Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
Tithonia is a striking flower boasting bright orange or red flowers. This heat-loving annual thrives in full sun and poor soil once established. Sensational for a summer display, it blooms all summer long and attracts pollinators. Planting seeds in May will provide started flowers by midsummer.
Cleome (Spider Flower)
Cleome features airy, spidery flowers in pink, white, or purple. Ideal for full sun or partial shade, these plants can adapt to various soil conditions. Cleome is heat-resistant and grows quickly from seed. Its height and dramatic pink, white, or purple blooms make it an excellent addition to garden beds or borders. Be aware that Cleome may self-seed in some areas.
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)
Nicotiana produces tubular flowers that are fragrant at night. This delightful plant prefers full sun to partial shade and flourishes in rich, moist soil. Seeds sown in May produce flowers by mid-summer, offering white, pink, red, and lime green blossoms. They attract moths and hummingbirds, adding enchantment to garden evenings.
Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller is a silver-gray foliage plant whose small yellow blooms are merely a secondary feature. This versatile perennial works well in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. The contrasting silver foliage pairs beautifully with flowering plants, providing texture and interest to summer gardens.
By incorporating a mix of annuals and perennials on this list, your garden will boast continuous color from early summer through fall. Plant in full sun, keep soil moist, deadhead regularly, and use well-draining soil for optimal results. With a little bit of planning and care, a vibrant summer garden can be within your reach.
- Ageratum, Marigolds, Cosmos, Sunflowers, and Nasturtiums are fast-growing, heat-tolerant options that can be sown or transplanted in May for a lush home-and-garden while providing a rich summer lifestyle.
- To foster a colorful oasis beyond the summer solstice, include Salvia, Calendula, Verbena, Celosia, Coreopsis, Morning Glories, Sweet Alyssum, Impatiens, Snapdragons, Portulaca, Dianthus, Bachelor's Buttons, Gaillardia, Rudbeckia, Gomphrena, Lantana, Tithonia, Cleome, Nicotiana, and Dusty Miller in your May planting plan for a blooming garden through the end of the summer season.
