When May arrives, the garden wakes up in full color. Many annual flowers start blooming this month, giving you non-stop color until frost. Annuals are a great choice if you want fast results, long blooms, and fresh color every year. You can grow them from seed or buy transplants at the nursery. Below are 10 annual flowers that bloom in May and how to plant and care for each one.
Petunias
Petunias are one of the best annual flowers for a bright and colorful May garden. They come in a wide range of colors including pink, purple, red, white, and striped varieties. These flowers bloom quickly after planting and keep blooming until fall if you deadhead them regularly.
To grow petunias, pick a sunny spot. Prepare the soil by mixing in compost to improve drainage and nutrients. Space the plants about 12 inches apart. Water them regularly, but let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Feed them with a balanced flower fertilizer every two weeks for the best blooms. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Petunias just click here.
Marigolds
Marigolds bloom quickly and add golden yellow and orange tones to the garden. They also repel pests like aphids and whiteflies, so they work well near vegetables.
Plant marigolds in full sun and well-draining soil. Add compost to enrich the soil before planting. Space French marigolds 8 inches apart and taller African marigolds about 12 inches apart. Water at the base of the plant and avoid wetting the leaves. Feed monthly with a flower fertilizer to encourage more blooms. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Marigolds just click here.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are cool-season annuals that bloom early in the spring, often peaking in May. They offer tall, spiky flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, red, and purple.
Plant snapdragons in full sun to partial shade. They prefer loose, rich soil, so mix in compost before planting. Space them 6 to 12 inches apart depending on the variety. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, and feed every few weeks with a liquid fertilizer. Remove spent blooms to keep new flowers coming. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Snapdragons just click here.
Alyssum
Alyssum produces small clusters of sweet-smelling white, pink, or purple flowers. It creates a soft carpet of color perfect for borders or container edges.
Plant alyssum in full sun or light shade. It grows best in well-drained soil with added compost. Sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings about 6 inches apart. Water consistently during dry spells, and trim the plants back after the first bloom flush to encourage more flowers. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Alyssum just click here.
Pansies
Pansies are a classic cool-weather flower, often blooming well into May. Their cheerful “faces” come in almost every color.
To grow pansies, plant them in full sun or partial shade. They like rich, well-draining soil, so mix in organic matter before planting. Space them 6 to 8 inches apart. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Feed every 3–4 weeks with a balanced flower fertilizer. Deadhead often to extend blooming. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Pansies just click here.
Calendula
Also known as pot marigold, calendula blooms in cheerful shades of yellow and orange. It handles cooler temperatures well, making it perfect for May gardens.
Plant calendula in full sun with well-drained soil. You can sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost or transplant nursery plants. Thin seedlings to about 10 inches apart. Water regularly, especially during dry weather, and feed with an all-purpose flower food every few weeks. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Calendula just click here.
Cosmos
Cosmos flowers bring a soft, feathery look to gardens with their tall stems and daisy-like blooms. They come in pink, white, and deep burgundy shades.
Cosmos love full sun and thrive in average, even poor, soil. Avoid using rich compost or fertilizers when planting, as this encourages leaves over flowers. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart. Water only when the soil feels dry, and don’t overfeed. Deadhead flowers to keep them blooming all summer. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Cosmos just click here.
Lobelia
Lobelia adds rich blue, violet, or white color to garden edges and containers. It starts blooming in early spring and keeps going through May and beyond.
Plant lobelia in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist, well-draining soil. Space plants 6 inches apart. Water regularly to keep the soil damp but not soggy. Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer every two weeks to promote more blooms. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Lobelia just click here.
Salvia
Salvia, especially annual types like Salvia splendens, blooms in spikes of red, purple, or blue starting in May. Pollinators love it, and it adds bold color to borders and beds.
Plant salvia in full sun with rich, well-draining soil. Mix in compost when planting. Space plants 12 inches apart. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer. Remove faded flower spikes to help new ones grow. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Salvia just click here.
Nicotiana
Nicotiana, or flowering tobacco, produces trumpet-shaped flowers in soft shades of white, pink, and green. Some varieties release a lovely scent in the evening.
Grow nicotiana in full sun or light afternoon shade. It prefers fertile, moist soil, so amend with compost before planting. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart. Water often to keep the soil evenly moist, and feed every two weeks with flower fertilizer. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. For more in depth post on how to plant and grow Nicotiana just click here.
Brighten Your Garden with May Annuals
Adding annual flowers that bloom in May fills your garden with early color and beauty. These ten picks are easy to grow and care for, whether you’re planting in garden beds, borders, or containers. Start with good soil, plant in the right light, and follow a regular watering and feeding schedule. With just a little care, your annuals will bloom from May through fall, turning your garden into a colorful and thriving space.
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