May is the month when we wave farewell to the last frosts and hopefully welcome in warmer weather. It’s also the time of year when many perennial plants, trees and shrubs burst forth into flower. We can well and truly wave goodbye to winter! So here are ten plants guaranteed to bring colour and cheer to your garden at this time of year:
1. Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’ (Hawthorn)
Hawthorn cultivars are a great choice for the wildlife-friendly gardener with a small garden. They are long-lived, slow-growing, and cope with a range of different conditions, as well as being hugely beneficial for wildlife. ‘Crimson Cloud’, as the name suggests, is covered in deep pink, crimson colour flowers with a white centre. These are followed by red ‘haws’ in early autumn which are much beloved by birds.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 500cm tall and 400cm wide
- Will grow well in most types of well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
2. Paeonia ‘Coral Charm’ (Peony)
All peonies have beautiful flowers and are greatly prized and sought after by flower arrangers. This semi-double flowered cultivar is no exception with its pastel pink, peach and salmon colour petals. Soak the plant roots for a couple of hours before planting.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 90cm tall and 100cm wide
- Fertile moist well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Sheltered
3. Philadelphus lemoinei (Mock Orange)
Mock Orange are renowned for its sweet, strong scent and lemoinei is a great example with its profusion of highly scented, single, large, white flowers. It has soft yellow stamens, grouped in clusters of threes and fives. Although its main flowering time is May/June, it will often repeat flower again in July and August. It also grows well in containers and is perfect for the smaller garden.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 200cm tall and 200cm wide
- Fertile moist well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
4. Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Yellow Queen’ (Granny’s bonnet)
There’s something particularly delightful about the sight of aquilegias daintily dotted around the garden at this time of year. And this cultivar is no exception with its soft, slightly scented, lemon-yellow flowers and unusual long spurs flaring out. It also has attractive bluish-green, ferny leaves and makes a great cut flower, as well as being attractive to butterflies.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 90cm tall and 45cm wide
- Fertile moist well drained soil
- Full sun and part-shade
- Exposed
5. Iris ‘Benton Olive’ (Bearded Iris)
This delicately coloured, clump-forming, iris was a huge hit at Chelsea Flower Show last year. Understandably so with its subtle pastel lilac, creamy-yellow-green scented flowers. Originally bred by renowned artist, Sir Cedric Morris at his home in Benton End, Suffolk, it is a true beauty. It should reliably repeat flower annually if planted in a sunny situation with its rhizome sitting on the soil’s surface. Best divided every three years to ensure continued flowering.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 90cm tall and 50cm wide
- Moderately fertile well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
6. Papaver orientale ‘Manhattan’
Although its period of flowering is brief, its flamboyant, large flowers are beloved by pollinating insects as well as gardeners! ’Manhattan’ delights with large, ruffled-pink flowers marked by black blotches in the centre of each petal, on strong stems. After flowering cut the whole clump down to ground level. This will not only keep it looking tidy but will also rejuvenate the plant.
- Flowers from May to June
- Hardy
- Grows to 60cm tall and 40cm wide
- Fertile moist well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
7. Cornus kousa ‘China Girl’ (Flowering Dogwood)
This popular large shrub/small tree delights with several seasons of interest, starting in June covered in large, creamy-white flower bracts. This is followed by brightly coloured, edible red fruits in the autumn. The leaves change to pretty shades of orange/red before falling in late autumn. It will also grow well in containers if planted in full sun and kept well-watered.
- Flowers from June
- Hardy
- Grows to 600cm tall and 500cm wide
- Fertile moist well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
8. Geranium ‘Philippe Vapelle’ (Cranesbill)
Hardy geraniums are generally, easy to grow, herbaceous perennials which make great additions to summer borders. ‘Philippe Vapelle’ is a clump-forming cultivar with star-shaped, violet flowers and grey-green textured leaves.
- Flowers from May to July
- Hardy
- Grows to 40cm tall and 40cm wide
- Fertile moist well-drained soil
- Full sun part shade
- Exposed
9. Deutzia x rosea ‘Yuki Cherry Blossom’ (Deutzia)
This is a beautiful, compact shrub with blossom guaranteed to brighten up a spring garden. It’s a low-maintenance shrub that is ideal for growing in containers on a patio or front of a border. At this time of year, delights with masses of flowers that are creamy-white with light pink outers. In autumn the leaves turn a handsome shade of burgundy before falling to the ground.
- Flowers from May to July
- Hardy
- Grows to 60cm tall and 60cm wide
- Moderately fertile moist well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
10. Geum ‘Pink Petticoats’ (Avens)
This is another easy-to-grow, herbaceous perennial which produces a profusion of frilly petaled, coral, peachy-pink, semi-double flowers over many weeks. It’s neat, compact habit makes it an ideal choice for the front of a mixed flower border.
- Flowers May to July
- Hardy
- Grows to 40cm tall and 40cm wide
- Fertile moist well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Exposed
Make sure your May garden is looking has some welcome colour with the warming weather.
Find out the best fruit to grow this month:
Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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