What to Plant in May
Seeds to sow, young plants to put out, and what's flowering in May in UK gardens — drawn straight from the GardenWizz plant encyclopedia.
🌱 Sow in May
Sow these seeds this month (78 plants).
Allium (Allium hollandicum)
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
Avens (Geum)
Beardtongue (Penstemon)
Beet (Beta vulgaris)
Black Iris (Iris chrysographes)
Blue Garlic (Allium caesium)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Bukhara Iris (Iris bucharica)
Bulb Onion (Allium cepa)
Candelabra Sage (Salvia candelabrum)
Carmena's Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria carmenae)
Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)
Chenille Plant (Echeveria leucotricha)
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris)
Common Bird's-Foot-Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
Common Dog-Violet (Viola riviniana)
Common Mint (Mentha spicata)
Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana)
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Courgette (Cucurbita pepo)
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
European Larch (Larix decidua)
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Gold Lace Cactus (Mammillaria elongata)
Great Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Lau's Echeveria (Echeveria laui)
Leek (Allium porrum)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Lipstick (Echeveria agavoides)
Marigolds (Tagetes)
Mexican-Giant (Echeveria colorata)
Mexican Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria magnimamma)
Mexican Snowball (Echeveria elegans)
Michaelmas Daisy (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)
Mint (Mentha)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)
Orchid Iris (Iris histrioides)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Oven Wattle (Acacia pravissima)
Pink Lily Leek (Allium oreophilum)
Poppy (Papaver)
Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Powderpuff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana)
Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)
Radish (Raphanus sativus)
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
Silken Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria bombycina)
Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata)
Small Yellow Onion (Allium flavum)
Star Of Persia (Allium cristophii)
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Twin-Spined Cactus (Mammillaria geminispina)
Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis)
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
🪴 Plant out in May
Put these into the garden now (195 plants).
Acanthocalycium spiniflorum
African Milk Barrel (Euphorbia horrida)
Aloe
Alpine Primrose (Primula alpicola)
Angular Jasmine (Jasminum angulare)
Anise-Scented Sage (Salvia guaranitica)
Apothecary's Rose (Rosa gallica)
Apple (Malus domestica)
Ashy Crane's-Bill (Geranium cinereum)
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
Avens (Geum)
Azalea (Rhododendron)
Barbados Aloe (Aloe vera)
Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis)
Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)
Beardtongue (Penstemon)
Bear's Breech (Acanthus mollis)
Bees' Primrose (Primula beesiana)
Beet (Beta vulgaris)
Begonias (Begonia)
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Big-Leaf Rhododendron (Rhododendron calophytum)
Birch-Leaved Bellflower (Campanula betulifolia)
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
Black Iris (Iris chrysographes)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Brilliant Fuchsia (Fuchsia fulgens)
Bristle-Pointed Iris (Iris setosa)
Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
Bulb Onion (Allium cepa)
Butterfly-Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Buttonhead Primrose (Primula capitata)
Calathea (Calathea makoyana)
Candelabra Sage (Salvia candelabrum)
Cardinal Sage (Salvia fulgens)
Catalonian Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Catmint (Nepeta)
Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Common Camellia (Camellia japonica)
Common Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Common Dog-Violet (Viola riviniana)
Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Common Mint (Mentha spicata)
Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana)
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Corrugated Sage (Salvia corrugata)
Cowslip (Primula veris)
Crocosmia (Crocosmia crocosmiiflora)
Daphne Rhododendron (Rhododendron campylogynum)
Daurian Rhododendron (Rhododendron dauricum)
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Derenberg's Painted Lady (Echeveria derenbergii)
Digenous Sage (Salvia digenea)
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
Drumstick Primula (Primula denticulata)
Dryopteris affinis
Early Azalea (Rhododendron lutescens)
Echeveria
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)
Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Fringed Iris (Iris japonica)
Fulvous Rhododendron (Rhododendron fulvum)
Garden Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Garden Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata)
Garden Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Hairyflower Bellflower (Campanula chamissonis)
Hairy Grey Heather (Erica canaliculata)
Hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis)
Hardy Geranium (Geranium)
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Hellebore (Helleborus)
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Horned Spurge (Euphorbia ceratocarpa)
Horned Spurge (Euphorbia cornigera)
Jame Sage (Salvia × jamensis)
Japanese Primrose (Primula japonica)
Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica)
Keisk's Rhododendron (Rhododendron keiskei)
Kerner Iris (Iris kerneriana)
Korean Fir (Abies koreana)
Ladies' Eardrop (Fuchsia denticulata)
Lady's Eardrops (Fuchsia boliviana)
Large Speedwell (Veronica austriaca)
Lau's Echeveria (Echeveria laui)
Leaf-Ring Begonia (Begonia annulata)
Leek (Allium porrum)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Leopold Agave (Agave leopoldii)
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Long-Scape Iris (Iris delavayi)
Lupin (Lupinus)
Makino's Rhododendron (Rhododendron makinoi)
Maple Leaf Begonia (Begonia dregei)
Margalida Spurge (Euphorbia margalidiana)
Marigolds (Tagetes)
Martin's Spurge (Euphorbia martini)
Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias)
Melon Spurge (Euphorbia meloformis)
Mexican Snowball (Echeveria elegans)
Mint (Mentha)
Moth Orchid 'Ariadne' (Phalaenopsis × ariadne)
Nakahara's Rhododendron (Rhododendron nakaharae)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)
Northern Phlox (Phlox adsurgens)
Notable Rhododendron (Rhododendron insigne)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Palm-Leaf Begonia (Begonia carolineifolia)
Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
Pea (Pisum sativum)
Pelargonium (Pelargonium x hortorum)
Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
Plantain Lily (Hosta)
Pontic Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum)
Poppy (Papaver)
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Powderpuff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana)
Primroses (Primula)
Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)
Purple Cranesbill (Geranium × magnificum)
Racemose Rhododendron (Rhododendron racemosum)
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
Red-Barked Dogwood (Cornus alba)
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
Red Currant (Ribes rubrum)
Rock Crane's-Bill (Geranium macrorrhizum)
Rock Rose (Cistus × aguilarii)
Rock Rose (Cistus ingwersenii)
Rosebay Willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium)
Roseleaf Sage (Salvia involucrata)
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosy Rhododendron (Rhododendron oreodoxa)
Round-Leaved Rhododendron (Rhododendron orbiculare)
Roxie's Rhododendron (Rhododendron roxieanum)
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus)
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Sabra Spike Sage (Salvia confertiflora)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
Scarlet-Plume (Euphorbia fulgens)
Shrubby Rock-Roses (Cistus)
Silver-Leaved Rhododendron (Rhododendron argyrophyllum)
Silver Sage (Salvia argentea)
Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata)
Smooth Azalea (Rhododendron arborescens)
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
Snowy Rhododendron (Rhododendron niveum)
Spurges (Euphorbia)
Stonecrop (Sedum)
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Thick-Flowered Rhododendron (Rhododendron pachysanthum)
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Traveller's Joy (Clematis vitalba)
Tree Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum)
Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Twin-Spined Cactus (Mammillaria geminispina)
Upright Rhododendron (Rhododendron fastigiatum)
Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
Violet Willow (Salix daphnoides)
Wall Speedwell (Veronica albicans)
Water Iris (Iris laevigata)
Weigela (Weigela florida)
White Echeveria (Echeveria cante)
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Winter Heath (Erica carnea)
Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yunnan Iris (Iris forrestii)
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
🌸 In flower in May
What's blooming this month (226 plants).
Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)
Allium (Allium hollandicum)
Alma-Ata Iris (Iris hoogiana)
Altai Tulip (Tulipa altaica)
Apple (Malus domestica)
Aspen (Populus tremula)
Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)
Azalea (Rhododendron)
Bamboo Iris (Iris confusa)
Banksia Rose (Rosa banksiae)
Barberry (Berberis)
Baum's Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria baumii)
Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis)
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)
Bear's Ear (Primula auricula)
Bellflowers (Campanula)
Big-Leaf Rhododendron (Rhododendron calophytum)
Birch-Leaved Bellflower (Campanula betulifolia)
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
Black Iris (Iris chrysographes)
Blireana Plum (Prunus × blireana)
Blood Iris (Iris sanguinea)
Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Bosnian Pine (Pinus heldreichii)
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Broad Bean (Vicia faba)
Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
Bukhara Iris (Iris bucharica)
Buttonhead Primrose (Primula capitata)
Cape Cowslip (Lachenalia contaminata)
Cappadocian Maple (Acer cappadocicum)
Carmena's Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria carmenae)
Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)
Catmint (Nepeta)
Cemetery Iris (Iris albicans)
Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)
Cherry Blossom (Prunus serrulata)
Chihuahua Echeveria (Echeveria chihuahuaensis)
Chinese Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)
Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Cockburn's Primrose (Primula cockburniana)
Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris)
Common Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Common Dog-Violet (Viola riviniana)
Common Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Copper Iris (Iris fulva)
Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
Cowslip (Primula veris)
Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris)
Crocus Tulip (Tulipa aucheriana)
Crown Cactus (Rebutia)
Crown Cactus (Rebutia canigueralii)
Cypripedium hank
Daffodils (Narcissus)
Dalmatian Cranesbill (Geranium dalmaticum)
Daphne Rhododendron (Rhododendron campylogynum)
Daurian Rhododendron (Rhododendron dauricum)
Davidson's Rhododendron (Rhododendron davidsonianum)
Dippel's Hawthorn (Crataegus × dippeliana)
Dog Rose (Rosa rugosa)
Dogwood (Cornus)
Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
Druce's Cranesbill (Geranium × oxonianum)
Drumstick Primula (Primula denticulata)
Early Azalea (Rhododendron lutescens)
Edgeworth's Rhododendron (Rhododendron edgeworthii)
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
English Elm (Ulmus minor)
English Oak (Quercus robur)
Fairy Primrose (Primula malacoides)
False-Gold-Flower Rhododendron (Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum)
Farges Willow (Salix fargesii)
Field Birch (Betula pubescens)
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Fire Heath (Erica cerinthoides)
Florence Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Florentine Iris (Iris florentina)
Folgner's Rowan (Sorbus folgneri)
Formosan Lady's Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium formosanum)
Fortune's Rhododendron (Rhododendron fortunei)
Fringed Iris (Iris japonica)
Fuji Cherry (Prunus incisa)
Fulvous Rhododendron (Rhododendron fulvum)
Garden Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Goat Willow (Salix caprea)
Gold Lace Cactus (Mammillaria elongata)
Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Grass-Leaved Flag (Iris graminea)
Great White Rhododendron (Rhododendron decorum)
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
Gum Rock Rhododendron (Rhododendron calostrotum)
Hairyflower Bellflower (Campanula chamissonis)
Hairy Grey Heather (Erica canaliculata)
Hance's Rhododendron (Rhododendron hanceanum)
Hank Small (Cypripedium Hank Small)
Hank Small Lady's Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium Hank Small gx)
Hardy Geranium (Geranium)
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Hoary Willow (Salix eleagnos)
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Horned Spurge (Euphorbia ceratocarpa)
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Hybrid Squill (Scilla × allenii)
Irises (Iris)
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Japanese Primrose (Primula japonica)
Japanese Rowan (Sorbus commixta)
Kalanchoe
Keisk's Rhododendron (Rhododendron keiskei)
Kerner Iris (Iris kerneriana)
Kew Primrose (Primula kewensis)
King Rhododendron (Rhododendron rex)
Laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides)
Lachenalia corymbosa
Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiana)
Lily Of The Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Loiseleuri Primrose (Primula × loiseleurii)
Long-Scape Iris (Iris delavayi)
Lupin (Lupinus)
Magnificent Iris (Iris magnifica)
Magnolia denudata (QA: Magnolia denudata)
Makino's Rhododendron (Rhododendron makinoi)
Martin's Spurge (Euphorbia martini)
McCabe's Rhododendron (Rhododendron macabeanum)
Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias)
Mexican Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria magnimamma)
Mexican Snowball (Echeveria elegans)
Mother Of Hundreds (Mammillaria compressa)
Moth Orchid 'Ariadne' (Phalaenopsis × ariadne)
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Mountain-Loving Rhododendron (Rhododendron oreotrephes)
Nakahara's Rhododendron (Rhododendron nakaharae)
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana)
Northern Phlox (Phlox adsurgens)
Notable Rhododendron (Rhododendron insigne)
Oaks (Quercus)
Ochre Rhododendron (Rhododendron ochraceum)
Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)
Oven Wattle (Acacia pravissima)
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Pea (Pisum sativum)
Pear (Pyrus communis)
Persian Onion (Allium jesdianum)
Pink Lily Leek (Allium insubricum)
Pink Lily Leek (Allium oreophilum)
Plums, Cherries, And Allies (Prunus)
Polyanthus Primrose (Primula danova)
Pontic Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum)
Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Powderpuff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana)
Primrose-Flowered Rhododendron (Rhododendron primuliflorum)
Primroses (Primula)
Prunus Cistena (Prunus × cistena)
Purplish-Blue Rhododendron (Rhododendron russatum)
Racemose Rhododendron (Rhododendron racemosum)
Radish (Raphanus sativus)
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
Red-Barked Dogwood (Cornus alba)
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Red Currant (Ribes rubrum)
Red Flower Iris (Iris milesii)
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rose (Rosa)
Rosy Rhododendron (Rhododendron oreodoxa)
Round-Leaved Rhododendron (Rhododendron orbiculare)
Rowans And Mountain Ashes (Sorbus)
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Roxie's Rhododendron (Rhododendron roxieanum)
Royal Azalea (Rhododendron schlippenbachii)
Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Shrubby Rock-Roses (Cistus)
Silken Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria bombycina)
Silver-Leaved Rhododendron (Rhododendron argyrophyllum)
Silver Sage (Salvia argentea)
Smooth Azalea (Rhododendron arborescens)
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Snowy Rhododendron (Rhododendron niveum)
Spanish Heath (Erica australis)
Speedwells (Veronica)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spurges (Euphorbia)
Star Of Persia (Allium cristophii)
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
Thick-Flowered Rhododendron (Rhododendron pachysanthum)
Traveller's Joy (Clematis vitalba)
Tree Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum)
Tulip (Tulipa)
Two-Flowered Tulip (Tulipa bifloriformis)
Upright Rhododendron (Rhododendron fastigiatum)
Viburnums (Viburnum)
Violet Willow (Salix acutifolia)
Water Iris (Iris laevigata)
Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album)
Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Wild Plum (Prunus domestica subsp. insititia)
Wild Saffron (Crocus cartwrightianus)
Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis)
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Willow (Salix viminalis)
Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa)
Woodrush (Luzula sylvatica)
Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)
Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides)
Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)
Yellow Crocus (Crocus flavus)
Yellow Crocus Iris (Iris crocea)
Yew (Taxus baccata)
Yunnan Iris (Iris forrestii)
❄️ UK frost dates by region
Approximate last spring / first autumn frost — always check your local forecast before sowing or planting out tender plants.
| Region | Last spring frost | First autumn frost |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland & far north | late May | late September |
| North of England | mid May | mid October |
| Midlands & Wales | early–mid May | late October |
| East & South East England | late April–early May | late October |
| London & urban areas | mid April | early November |
| South West & coastal | mid April | November |
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