Delight in the vibrant blooms of these flowers gracing your garden during May's springtime, filling your outdoor space with eye-catching colors.
Bloomy May is here! Let's check out some top-notch florals to liven up your UK garden this month, courtesy of plantsman Keith Wiley.
Don't forget to catch our latest listings:
- Keith Wiley's Wildside in Devon – symphony with nature
- Caring for a Hoya plant
- May gardening chores
Flower Fantasies in May
Rhododendron 'Muncaster Trumpet'
May's prime month for rhododendrons, and we adore those with hanging bells. 'Muncaster Trumpet' fits the bill, with a cool mix of azure-green leaves and an upright growth habit. While challenging to grow, the breathtaking blooms make it worthwhile. Height: 2-3m. Origin: East Himalaya, Nepal, Tibet. Conditions: Neutral or acidic soil; part shade. Hardiness: RHS H4, USDA 5a-8b. Season of interest: Spring.
Acer palmatum 'Matsukaze'
This Japanese maple brings multi-seasonal charm, with leaves that start a rich bronze-red in spring, gradually turning green by mid-summer. Come autumn, foliage exits in splendid scarlet before falling. The crimson-red seedheads that follow are striking and last for months. Very similar to Acer palmatum 'Chitose-yama'. Height: 2-3m (3-4m wide). Origin: Japan. Conditions: Well-drained, good soil; full sun to part shade. Hardiness: RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b. Season of interest:* Year-round, spring to summer for seeds.
Roscoea 'Ice Maiden'
Ginger family members, roscoeas are hardy, tuberous-rooted perennials with the ability to bloom from April through September. Pure-white types are rare – hence reasons to love 'Ice Maiden'. It's a seedling selection with pure-white Roscoea humeana f. alba genes, making it easy to cultivate. Height: 30-45cm. Origin: China. Conditions: Well-drained, humus-rich soil; full sun to part shade. Hardiness: RHS H4, USDA 8a-10b. Season of interest: Spring.
Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum 'Rosace'
This shrub is a delight from every angle, with coppery crinkled leaves and rounded heads of soft pink flowers resembling lace. Spring showers bring the best colors. After flowering, grow in nearly full sun for top leaf color. Height: 2m. Origin: Japan. Conditions: Good, humus-rich soil; full sun to light shade. Hardiness: RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b. Season of interest: Early summer.
Read our Viburnum grow guide.
Lilium pomponium
This diminutive lily braves direct summer sunlight and produces bright orange-red Turk's cap flowers in abundance. Originally comes from the limestone mountain ranges of the southern Maritime Alps, but it doesn't require a limey soil. Height: 30-60cm. Origin: Southern France, Italy. Conditions: Well-drained soil; full sun. Hardiness: RHS H4, USDA 4a-8b. Season of interest: Early summer.
Athyrium 'Ghost'
Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, 'Ghost' is a taller, more robust version of the Japanese painted lady fern, Athyrium niponicum var. pictum. Its silver leaves accentuate the classic vase shape of wild ferns and resist the daily life chaotic hustle and bustle of the garden. Height: 60cm. Origin: Japan. Conditions: Moist, well-drained soil; shade. Hardiness: RHS H5, USDA 4a-8b. Season of interest: Spring and summer.
Euphorbia 'Blue Haze'
Bred by Robin White, this compact spurge excels in sunny, well-drained spots, especially in gravel or stone areas. Its narrow, blue-grey leaves serve as an excellent backdrop for yellow-green flowerheads in early summer. After blooming, foliage can be pruned to maintain a compact form, but wear glovessince the sap can be harmful. Height: 30cm. Origin: Garden origin (Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana x Euphorbianicaeensis). Conditions: Well-drained soil; full sun. Hardiness: RHS H5, USDA 6a-10b. Season of interest: Year-long; early summer for flowers.
Rosa 'De Resht'
Roses generally struggle in high rainfall areas, but 'De Resht' overcomes these challenges with ease. It flowers all summer long and into early autumn, producing highly scented, fragrant blooms. It's low maintenance, fends off blackspot, and seems just as content in a semi-shaded spot as full sun. Height: 1-1.5m. Origin: Garden origin. Conditions: Well-drained soil; full sun. Hardiness: RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b. Season of interest: All summer.
Discover more about lovely roses to grow.
Wisteria floribunda f. alba 'Shiro-noda'
The scent of this creamy white wisteria is intoxicating, with long racemes of flowers that are particularly fragrant. It blooms slightly later than others, typically in early summer, and is superb. AGM. Height: Climber to 6m. Origin: Japan. Conditions: Well-drained soil; full sun to part shade. Hardiness: RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b. Season of interest: Early summer for flowers.
Geranium sanguineum var. striatum
Last but not least, this geranium is almost flawless, growing just about anywhere with minimal pests and diseases. It blooms incessantly in every color from white to hot pink. It makes a great groundcover, resisting weeds, and taking up little space. Height: 20cm. Origin: UK native. Conditions: Well-drained soil; full sun to part shade. Hardiness: RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b. Season of interest: All summer.
Take a peek at our hardy geraniums guide.
- For a stunning addition to your home-and-garden lifestyle this May, consider the Rhododendron 'Muncaster Trumpet' that thrives in UK gardens with cool azure-green leaves and breathtaking blooms.
- The Acer palmatum 'Matsukaze', a Japanese maple, provides multi-seasonal charm with leaves that transform from bronze-red to green, and showcase striking scarlet seedheads in autumn.
- The Roscoea 'Ice Maiden', a hardy perennial from the ginger family, offers pure-white blooms from April to September, making it a perfect choice for a fresh landscape design.
- To create a natural symphony in your garden, explore Keith Wiley's Wildside in Devon, offering engaging floral displays and garden experiences that celebrate the beauty of nature.
