10 Beautiful Late Spring Flowers That Bloom in May

Spring’s early bloomers may steal the spotlight after winter’s end, but late spring brings its own spectacular floral display. As May arrives, gardens can truly come alive with color and fragrance. To ensure your garden continues to shine through the transition into summer, consider these 10 magnificent late spring flowers that reach their peak in May.

As the days lengthen and the temperatures rise, late spring brings a burst of vibrant color to gardens. If you’re looking to extend the beauty of your garden beyond the early bloomers, these 10 flowers are perfect for keeping your garden lively and colorful as we move into summer. Here are 10 beautiful late spring flowers that bloom in May and beyond.

1. Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)

The beloved peony delivers dramatic, lush blooms that can transform any garden into a fragrant paradise. These long-lived perennials produce magnificent flowers that bloom in May that ranging from simple, elegant singles to extravagant doubles that resemble powder puffs.

Peonies are remarkably low-maintenance once established, though they dislike being moved or divided. Plant them in a permanent location with good air circulation to prevent botrytis blight. Support the heavy blooms with grow-through supports or stakes placed early in the season before the plants reach their full height.

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8

Color Varieties: Pink, red, white, coral, yellow, and bicolors

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil with neutral pH

2. Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)

Few May-blooming flowers offer the architectural elegance of the bearded iris. With their distinctive form—three upright petals (standards) and three hanging petals (falls)—these stately flowers create dramatic vertical interest in the garden.

Modern hybrids come in nearly every color imaginable, from traditional purples and yellows to exotic coral, copper, and near-black varieties. The rhizomes prefer to bake in the sun, so plant them shallowly and ensure good drainage. Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigorous blooming.

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9

Color Varieties: Purple, blue, yellow, pink, orange, white, brown, red, and bicolors

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

3. Baptisia (Baptisia australis)

Sometimes called false indigo, baptisia creates a commanding presence in the May garden with its spires of pea-like blossoms rising above blue-green foliage. Native to North America, this prairie plant develops an impressive shrub-like habit that requires no staking.

Once established, baptisia is remarkably drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Its deep root system makes it difficult to transplant, so choose your planting location carefully. After flowering, attractive seed pods develop that add interest well into fall.

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9

Color Varieties: Blue, purple, yellow, white

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

4. Clematis (Clematis species and hybrids)

May is prime time for many clematis varieties, particularly the large-flowered hybrids that produce spectacular blooms. These versatile climbers can transform fences, trellises, and arbors into living works of art.

Remember the gardener’s adage: “head in the sun, feet in the shade” when planting clematis. Keep the roots cool with mulch or companion plants while allowing the vines to climb into sunlight. Pruning requirements vary by type, so be sure to identify your specific variety before cutting.

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9 (depends on cultivar)

Color Varieties: Purple, blue, pink, red, white, yellow, and bicolors

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining

5. Rhododendron (Rhododendron species)

May transforms rhododendrons into show-stopping specimens covered in large, colorful trusses of flowers. These magnificent shrubs create a woodland atmosphere and range from compact varieties suitable for small gardens to towering specimens that can reach small tree proportions.

Plant rhododendrons in dappled shade in areas with hot summers. They prefer acidic soil rich in organic matter. Apply a layer of mulch to keep roots cool and moist, but keep it away from the trunk to prevent rot.

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8 (depends on variety)

Color Varieties: Pink, red, purple, white, yellow, orange

Sun Exposure: Part shade to filtered sun

Soil Needs: Rich, acidic, well-draining

6. Dianthus (Dianthus species)

Often called pinks, these charming flowers bring a sweet clove-like fragrance to the May garden. Whether you choose the tall carnation types or low-growing varieties perfect for rock gardens, dianthus offers abundant blooms above attractive blue-green foliage.

These sun-loving plants prefer lean soil and good drainage. Too much fertility can lead to abundant foliage but fewer flowers. Deadheading spent blooms can extend their flowering period well into summer.

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9 (depends on variety)

Color Varieties: Pink, red, white, lavender, bicolors

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Needs: Average to lean, excellent drainage

7. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

The bell-shaped blooms of foxglove create spectacular spires in the late spring flowers in May. These biennial or short-lived perennial plants self-seed readily, creating a sustainable colony of plants that provide height and drama.

The tubular flowers of foxglove are irresistible to bees and hummingbirds. Although most parts of the plant are toxic, these stunning flowers make a wonderful addition to cottage gardens and woodland edges. Shorter varieties are available for smaller spaces.

USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9

Color Varieties: Purple, pink, white, yellow, peach with spotted throats

Sun Exposure: Part shade to full sun in cooler climates

Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining

8. Azalea (Rhododendron species)

May is azalea season in many regions, when these shrubs burst into spectacular bloom. More compact than their rhododendron cousins, azaleas fit perfectly into smaller landscapes while delivering impressive floral displays.

Both deciduous and evergreen varieties are available, with options for nearly every climate. Like rhododendrons, they prefer acidic soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun in hot climates. Avoid planting them too deeply—azaleas have shallow root systems.

USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9 (depends on variety)

Color Varieties: White, pink, red, orange, purple, bicolors

Sun Exposure: Part shade to filtered sun

Soil Needs: Rich, acidic, well-draining

9. Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum)

For shady gardens, few May bloomers match the elegant arching stems of Solomon’s seal. The dainty white bells that dangle beneath the foliage may not be as showy as other spring flowers, but their graceful habit brings an unmatched elegance to woodland gardens.

The variegated varieties add brightness to shady spots with their white-edged leaves. These long-lived perennials spread slowly via rhizomes, eventually forming impressive colonies that require little care once established.

USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8

Color Varieties: White to greenish-white flowers

Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade

Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining

10. Wisteria (Wisteria species)

Few May-blooming plants create the dramatic impact of wisteria in full flower. The pendulous racemes of fragrant flowers can transform arbors and pergolas into magical spaces draped in purple, white, or pink blooms.

These vigorous climbers require sturdy support and regular pruning to control their rampant growth and encourage flowering. American native species (Wisteria frutescens and W. macrostachya) are less aggressive than their Asian counterparts and less likely to become invasive.

USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9 (depends on species)

Color Varieties: Purple, white, pink, pale blue

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

With these 10 late spring flowers, you can extend the beauty of your garden and enjoy vibrant blooms well into the summer months. Whether you have a sunny spot or a shady nook, there’s a flower for every garden in May. Happy gardening! Visit our website to pick the perfect ones to beautify your garden in May today.

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