May is the month when gardens come to life. The chill of winter fades, and the promise of a vibrant summer beckons. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, planting flowers in May ensures that you’ll enjoy beautiful blooms all summer long. The warm temperatures and longer days create the perfect environment for a wide range of flowers to thrive. To help you get the most out of your garden this season, here are 15 flowers you should plant in May for a colorful and fragrant summer.

1. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are the quintessential summer flower, with their bold yellow petals and towering stems. These vibrant flowers are not only beautiful but also attract pollinators like bees, making them a great addition to any garden.

Sunflowers thrive in full sun, so make sure to plant them in a spot where they can soak up plenty of sunlight. They prefer well-drained soil and can grow to impressive heights. Plant them in May to enjoy their blooming beauty from mid-summer to fall. Sunflowers come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose smaller varieties for containers or go for the giants for a striking focal point.

2. Marigolds

Marigolds are a go-to flower for many gardeners due to their vibrant colors, ease of care, and pest-repellent qualities. These flowers bloom in shades of yellow, orange, and red, brightening up any garden. Marigolds are perfect for both flower beds and containers and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They are known to repel harmful insects like aphids, making them great companions for other plants. Marigolds bloom all summer long, providing continuous color and charm. Plant them in May, and they’ll flourish through the warmer months, adding both beauty and functionality to your garden.

3. Geraniums

Geraniums are among the most popular flowers for summer gardens. Known for their bright and vibrant colors, these flowers come in shades of red, pink, white, and purple. Geraniums do well in both sun and partial shade, making them versatile for different garden locations.

They thrive in well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering, especially during dry spells. Geraniums can be planted in hanging baskets, containers, or garden beds, adding a pop of color wherever they are placed. These flowers will bloom consistently throughout the summer, providing long-lasting beauty in your garden.

4. Petunias

Petunias are a classic choice for any garden, offering a rich array of colors and patterns. These flowers bloom in hues of pink, purple, red, white, and blue, and their soft fragrance adds a delightful touch to the air. Petunias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for summer.

They are low-maintenance and can tolerate heat, making them ideal for the summer months. Petunias work wonderfully in hanging baskets, containers, or flower beds. Plant them in May to enjoy their beauty throughout the summer, as they’ll keep blooming until the cooler fall weather arrives.

5. Zinnias

Zinnias are fast-growing annuals known for their bright, daisy-like flowers. These cheerful blooms come in a variety of colors, including orange, pink, purple, and yellow. Zinnias are hardy flowers that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant, making them perfect for hot summer days when rainfall may be scarce. Zinnias bloom heavily throughout the summer and attract butterflies, making them an excellent addition to a wildlife-friendly garden. Plant them in May for a garden full of vibrant color and life throughout the season.

6. Lobelia

Lobelia is a lovely flower that adds a splash of blue to your garden. These cascading flowers are perfect for hanging baskets, containers, or as a ground cover. Lobelia thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. This flower blooms throughout the summer, offering a delicate yet beautiful addition to your garden. Lobelia’s vibrant blue color complements many other flowers, making it an excellent choice for mixed planting schemes. Plant it in May to ensure a steady flow of color throughout the summer months.

7. Begonias

Begonias are ideal flowers for shaded areas of your garden. Known for their colorful blooms, begonias come in shades of red, pink, white, and orange. These flowers thrive in moist, well-drained soil and prefer cooler, shaded locations. Begonias are perfect for filling in shaded spots or for adding color to containers and hanging baskets. They will bloom all summer long, providing continuous beauty even in the heat of summer. Plant begonias in May to enjoy their bright colors and lush foliage throughout the season.

8. Snapdragons

Snapdragons are unique flowers with tubular blooms that resemble the shape of a dragon’s mouth. These flowers come in a wide range of colors, from pastels to vibrant hues, and can grow up to 3 feet tall. Snapdragons are perfect for adding height and structure to flower beds and borders. They prefer cooler weather, so planting them in May ensures they’ll bloom early in the summer. Snapdragons thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Their vertical blooms create a striking visual contrast against low-growing flowers.

9. Impatiens

Impatiens are the go-to flowers for shady spots in your garden. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, red, purple, and white. Impatiens thrive in moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade, making them ideal for those areas of your garden that receive little to no sunlight. These flowers will bloom continuously throughout the summer, adding vibrant color to otherwise dull corners of your garden. Impatiens are low-maintenance and require regular watering, making them easy to care for.

10. Dahlias

Dahlias are known for their large, striking blooms that come in nearly every color imaginable. From bright reds and oranges to soft pinks and whites, dahlias can suit any garden palette. They thrive in full sun and require well-drained, fertile soil to grow to their full potential. Dahlias bloom from summer through fall, making them perfect for extending your garden’s color into the cooler months. They are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from small pom-pom-like flowers to large dinner-plate-sized blooms.

11. Coneflowers

Coneflowers, also known as echinacea, are hardy wildflowers that are perfect for sunny spots in your garden. These daisy-like flowers have bright purple petals and a distinctive cone-shaped center. They are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making them ideal for hot summer months. Coneflowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making them great for creating a wildlife-friendly garden. These perennials will bloom from mid-summer to fall, providing long-lasting color. Plant them in May to enjoy their beauty and benefits all season.

12. Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are fragrant climbing plants that produce delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. They thrive in cool temperatures and need a support structure like a trellis or fence to climb on. Sweet peas love full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for planting in May, when the weather is warm but not too hot. These flowers bloom from late spring to early summer, providing an early burst of color and fragrance in your garden.

13. Black-eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are hardy, low-maintenance flowers that bring bright yellow color to your garden. These flowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for summer planting. Black-eyed Susans attract pollinators like bees and butterflies and bloom from mid-summer to fall, providing a long-lasting display of color. These perennials are great for adding a pop of color to flower beds, borders, or naturalized areas in your garden.

14. Fuchsias

Fuchsias are elegant flowers that bloom in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. These flowers are perfect for hanging baskets, containers, or shaded garden spots. Fuchsias thrive in cool temperatures and require moist, well-drained soil. They bloom continuously throughout the summer, adding a touch of grace and color to your garden. Plant them in May for beautiful, long-lasting blooms.

15. Alyssum

Alyssum is a low-growing, fragrant flower that blooms in clusters. Its small, white, pink, or purple flowers create a delicate carpet of color in your garden. Alyssum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and can be used as a ground cover, border plant, or filler between larger flowers. This flower blooms all summer long, adding a sweet fragrance and a splash of color to your garden.

Conclusion

May is the perfect time to plant a wide variety of flowers that will bring color, fragrance, and life to your garden throughout the summer. Whether you’re looking for tall sunflowers, delicate begonias, or fragrant sweet peas, there’s a flower for every type of garden. Plant these 15 flowers in May, and you’ll enjoy beautiful blooms all season long.