As the weather gets warmer in May, gardeners can plant a wide range of colorful annual flower seeds directly in garden beds and containers. If you choose the right flower varieties, you’ll be rewarded with waves of happy blooms all summer and into fall. Here are some of the best and easiest flower seeds to plant in May for the best 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
Moss is a classic, carefree annual flower that is also easy to grow from seeds. Long stems with flowers that look like daisies come in pretty colors like pink, purple, and white. Put cosmos seeds straight into the ground after the risk of frost has passed. Plant seeds 8 to 12 inches apart and 1/4 inch deep in a sunny spot with average soil that drains well. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. From midsummer to fall, cosmos grow quickly and add beautiful color to flower beds and borders.
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
Nasturtiums are fun and lively to have in your garden because they have trumpet-shaped flowers and round leaves that you can eat. They are easy to grow from seeds that are planted in the garden after the last frost date you expect in the spring. 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 they give salads a spicy kick.
Morning Glories
Morning glories grow quickly and give you months of bright color and old-fashioned charm. They climb hard up trellises, arbors, fences, and other things, and when they reach the top, they give you trumpet-shaped flowers in blue, purple, pink, and white. Keep the seeds in water overnight, and then plant them 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart when the ground gets warm, which should happen in late May. Morning glory plants do best in full sun and average soil that drains well. Let the vines climb up on something, 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: You can plant strawberry runners outside now. If you keep them well watered over the next few weeks, you should get a small harvest, especially from ever-bearing varieties that bear fruit all 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 plant many kinds of flower seeds right in the garden, including primrose, cornflowers, calendula, and sweet William.
Can flowers be planted in May?
If you want to plant roses in May, Nepeta, Alchemilla (lady’s mantle), and Lavender are all good flower friends that will help hide their bare legs as they grow. 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?
Easy flowers to grow from seedLove-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 plant that can be used to edge the front of a flower bed. It only takes six weeks for the seeds to bloom. 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.