In the Garden This Month

 

Add Vibrant Color All Season Long
Keep your garden full of life and color by planting annuals such as geraniums, lobelia, bacopa, petunias, calibrachoa, and begonias. These blooms thrive in both beds and containers, making them a versatile choice for any space. For more ideas, read below:

Best Perennial Flowers to Plant in May

spearmint

May is a prime time for perennial planting. The soil has warmed, the danger of frost has passed in most regions, and plants have a full growing season ahead to establish strong roots. Whether you’re starting a new garden bed or refreshing existing spaces, these reliable, long-blooming perennials will add lasting beauty to your landscape.

1. Salvia (Perennial Sage)

Why Plant It:
Salvia produces vibrant flower spikes in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. It’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and a magnet for pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.

Growing Tips:

  • Sun: Full sun

  • Soil: Well-drained

  • Care: Deadhead regularly to encourage repeat blooming.

2. Lupine (Lupinus spp.)

Why Plant It:
Lupines bring bold vertical accents and come in a range of vibrant colors. They are great for cottage gardens and naturalistic planting schemes.

Growing Tips:

  • Sun: Full sun to part shade

  • Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic

  • Care: Avoid overly rich soil to prevent floppy growth.

3. Echinacea (Coneflower)

Why Plant It:
This hardy native perennial is perfect for pollinator and low-maintenance gardens. Coneflowers bloom for weeks and continue into fall, with attractive seed heads that provide winter interest.

Growing Tips:

  • Sun: Full sun

  • Soil: Average, well-drained

  • Care: Allow some blooms to go to seed to support birds and reseeding.

4. Coreopsis

Why Plant It:
Known for its cheerful, daisy-like blooms, coreopsis adds consistent color to sunny borders. Many varieties bloom from early summer to fall.

Growing Tips:

  • Sun: Full sun

  • Soil: Tolerant of poor or sandy soils

  • Care: Shear back after the first flush of blooms to encourage reblooming.

5. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)

Why Plant It:
A classic for shade gardens, bleeding hearts feature delicate, heart-shaped blooms on arching stems. They offer charm and elegance to woodland-style gardens.

Growing Tips:

  • Sun: Part shade

  • Soil: Moist, well-drained

  • Care: Foliage dies back midseason—plant alongside summer perennials to fill the gap.

6. Iris (Bearded and Siberian)

Why Plant It:
Iris varieties bloom in late spring with bold, architectural flowers in a rainbow of colors. Their sword-like foliage adds texture even after blooms fade.

Growing Tips:

  • Sun: Full sun

  • Soil: Well-drained

  • Care: Divide clumps every 3–4 years to promote healthy flowering.

Tips for Planting Perennials in May

  • Prepare the Soil: Loosen and enrich with compost to give roots a strong start.

  • Water Well: Keep soil consistently moist during establishment.

  • Mulch: Apply a light mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

  • Think Long-Term: Space plants according to their mature size and group by sunlight and moisture needs.

Planting perennials in May sets your garden up for seasons of beauty and resilience. Whether you’re creating pollinator habitats, shade gardens, or sunny borders, these reliable perennials are a strong foundation.

Create a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
Interested in attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds? Our Pollinator & Wildlife Garden Resource Page offers helpful guides and blog posts to support you in creating a healthy, thriving habitat.

Time to Plant Dahlia Bulbs
Dahlias can be planted in the garden or in containers now. Be sure to insert support stakes at planting time to avoid damaging the tubers later.

Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs
After spring bloomers like rhododendrons and lilacs have finished flowering, it’s the right time to prune. For step-by-step advice, see our blog posts on pruning techniques for both shrubs.