Browse this collection of high quality seeds to find out what flowers to plant in May. Now the soil’s warming up, it’s the perfect time to sow calendula, sweet William and cornflower seeds directly into the ground. For a cottage garden style approach, why not sow a few ornamental vegetable seeds like Swiss chard and chives as well?
May is an exciting time for gardeners as warmer weather arrives and it’s time to plant many colorful annual flower seeds directly in garden beds and containers The right flower varieties will reward you with waves of cheerful blooms throughout the summer and into fall Here are some of the best and easiest flower seeds to sow in May for splendid results,
Sunflowers
What’s a summer garden without cheerful sunflowers? These classic flowers are incredibly easy to grow from seed and their bold golden blooms bring sunshine to any garden. Sow sunflower seeds directly in the soil once temperatures warm up and after the last spring frost date passes. Space seeds 12-18 inches apart and about 1 inch deep. Miniature varieties like ‘Elf’ work nicely in containers while mammoth 8-12 foot cultivars make dramatic background plantings. Sunflowers thrive with full sun exposure and average soil.
Zinnias
If you want bold, vivid color through summer and into fall, it’s hard to beat fast-growing zinnias. These rugged, prolific flowers bloom vigorously in fiery hues of red, orange, pink, purple and more. Zinnias tolerate heat extremely well and hold up even during droughts. Direct sow zinnia seeds in May about 1/4 inch deep and 6 inches apart after the soil has warmed up Give them full sun and well-drained soil for the best growth and keep them watered. Zinnias make excellent cut flowers and attract butterflies.
Cosmos
Another classic, carefree annual flower that’s simple to grow from seed is cosmos. These daisy-like blooms on long stems come in lovely shades like pink, purple and white. Sow cosmos seeds directly in the soil after all danger of frost has passed. Space seeds 8-12 inches apart and about 1/4 inch deep in a sunny spot with average soil and good drainage. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Cosmos grow rapidly and provide sensational color in flower beds and borders from midsummer into fall.
Marigolds
Marigolds are a popular choice to sow from seed in May thanks to their bold, vibrant flowers that bloom vigorously all season. They come in a rainbow of color combinations and add cheery curb appeal to gardens and containers. Marigolds also deter certain insect pests. Direct sow the smaller French marigold seeds about 1/4 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart. Give marigolds full sun, good drainage and average soil for best growth. Deadhead spent blooms regularly for more flowers.
Nasturtiums
Edible nasturtiums bring a fun, lively vibe to gardens with their colorful trumpet-shaped flowers and round leaves. They’re easy to grow from seed planted directly in the garden after your last expected spring frost date passes. Give nasturtiums full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Keep them watered in dry weather. Nasturtiums bloom in shades of red, orange, yellow and cream and add a peppery kick of flavor to salads.
Morning Glories
Quick-growing morning glories offer months of vivid color and vintage charm. They climb vigorously up trellises, arbors, fences and more, rewarding you with trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. Soak the seeds overnight and then directly sow 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart after soil warms up, usually late May. Morning glories like full sun and average soil with good drainage. Give the vines support to climb up and watch them take off.
Sweet Peas
Another old-fashioned climbing favorite, sweet peas bloom abundantly in spring and early summer with beautifully scented flowers. For best results, directly sow winter-hardy sweet pea seeds in fall. But you can still enjoy success planting in May. Direct sow seeds 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in full sun and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Grow sweet peas up trellises and fences and watch them take off once warmer weather arrives.
Bachelor’s Buttons
Cheerful bachelor’s buttons offer easy, thick color in garden beds and borders with their rounded flower clusters in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. Direct sow seeds in May about 1/4 inch deep and 8 inches apart. Bachelor’s buttons tolerate partial shade but thrive best with at least 6 hours of full sunlight and average soil that drains well. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. These hardy plants readily reseed so you’ll enjoy flowers again next year.
Larkspur
Add striking vertical color to your garden with bold rocket-shaped spikes of larkspur. These hardy annuals bloom vigorously in lovely colors like pink, blue, purple and white. Direct sow larkspur flower seeds in May about 1/4 inch deep and 8-12 inches apart in a sunny spot. Give seedlings at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily and average well-draining soil. Larkspur makes beautiful cut flowers and produces color from late spring till first frost.
With the right flower varieties, sowing seeds directly in the garden in May is an easy, inexpensive way to create splashes of colorful blooms summer through fall. Just be sure to provide the proper growing conditions, and these flowers will readily spring to life, rewarding you with their vibrant floral displays.
Fruit to plant in May
When to harvest: June to September.
How to grow: strawberry runners can be planted outside now, and if you keep them well watered in the coming weeks you should get a small harvest, especially from ever-bearing varieties, which fruit over a longer season.
How to choose the best flower seeds to plant in May
Add some sunset colours to your borders with a clever choice of co-ordinating flower seeds. Antirrhinum ‘Illumination Mix’ and Cosmea ‘Brightness Mix’ both have vivid flowers in shades of red, yellow and orange. Calendula ‘Orange King’ has eye-catching layered blooms and Geum ‘Oranges and Lemons’ will give you hot colours year after year.
See our expert advice on growing flower seeds for more tips, along with the Frequently Asked Questions below.
7 Easy & Fast Flowers To Grow From Seed. Beginner Friendly Annual Flowers!
FAQ
What flower is best to plant in May?
… enough to sow many types of flower seeds straight into the garden, including old cottage favourites like primrose, cornflowers, calendula and sweet William
Can flowers be planted in May?
A few tips for planting in may
Roses – good companions or flower friends that help to hide their bare legs as they grow up include Nepeta, Alchemilla (lady’s mantle) and Lavender. Bee Balm looks great with Columbine. Tulips and Daffodils work great with Hostas and Iris. Coneflower and Yarrow are a magic pair.
What is the easiest flower to start from seed?
- Love-in-a-Mist. For instance, possibly the easiest flower on earth to grow is called Love-in-a-Mist. …
- Alyssum. Alyssum is a low-growing, front of the flower bed edging plant that can go from seed to flower in six weeks. …
- Several other good choices. …
- Shirley Poppy.
Can wildflower seeds be planted in May?
In cool climates, planting wildflower seeds in spring or early summer is ideal since temperatures are warm enough for germination but not so hot that it’s difficult to keep seeded areas moist. Planting in summer is not recommended since it is difficult to keep seed beds continually moist for the first 4-6 weeks.
What flowers can I plant in May?
May flower planting focuses on both perennials and annuals. Perennial favorites include coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and salvias that establish themselves during summer and return year after year. Plant these perennials with their mature size in mind, spacing them adequately to prevent overcrowding.
Can you plant seeds outside in May?
In May, all risk of frost has passed in most regions of the UK. Many vegetable, herb and flower seeds can be directly sown outdoors, while earlier sowings can now be planted out after a period of acclimatisation (hardening off) to outside conditions. Plenty of seeds can be sown indoors, too, including more tender crops like cucumber and melon.
Should I sow flowers in May?
If you are planning a cut flower garden, many glorious and productive fast-growing flowering annual plants can be sowed in May to give you a plethora of blooms to cut during summer and early fall. Should I sow flowers indoors or outdoors in May?
When is the best time to plant plants in May?
May marks ideal planting and growing conditions with its cool nights and sunny days. Cool-season plants are flushing and flowering, and new plantings are ready to get established and take off in the warm season. Enjoy planting your favorite May flowers and enjoy the rewards this month and beyond.
What flowers bloom in May?
Crocosmia is an attractive flower that blooms in May and gives any garden a vibrant splash of color. Zinnia, another popular choice for the month of May, comes in many different varieties with unique colors and shapes. 6. Zinnia Zinnia, a type of Asteraceae plant, is known for its stunning blossoms in various hues and sizes.
Should you plant perennials in May?
Your garden beds are cleaned out, your perennials are starting to pop up and show life. May is such a tricky time to plant. I am always itching to get my gardens going, but where I live it’s too cold to plant any annuals. So the best thing for me to do is to load up on perennials.