May Flowers: What Blooms in May and What to Give

May is when gardens burst into colour: lilac and chestnuts bloom, lily of the valley opens, tulips give way to peonies and the first annuals appear in flower beds. It is one of the best times of year for bouquets — May brings plenty of local seasonal flowers that smell stronger and last longer than imported ones. Here is what blooms in May, which flowers suit bouquets and what to give for May holidays.

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What Blooms in May: 15 May Flowers

1. Lilac — the main symbol of May: white, lilac, purple or double, with a strong scent.
2. Lily of the valley — tiny white bells with a delicate fragrance; cut garden plants and leave wild ones in the woods.
3. Peonies — early varieties open at the end of May; more in peonies.
4. Late tulips — peony-flowered, fringed and lily-flowered.
5. Daffodils — late double varieties.
6. Irises — blue, purple and yellow, with an elegant shape.
7. Ranunculus — like miniature roses.
8. Anemones — bright flowers with a dark centre.
9. Forget-me-nots — sky-blue clouds along paths.
10. Horse chestnut — white flower candles, Kyiv’s symbol in May; branches go into large vases.
11. Apple, cherry and sakura branches — in the first half of May.
12. Snowball viburnum — white globes at the end of the month.
13. Columbine — lacy flowers for garden bouquets.
14. Hyacinths and grape hyacinths — still blooming in early May in the north.
15. First roses — at the end of May in warmer regions.

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Which May Flowers Work Best in Bouquets

In May florists most often use peonies, ranunculus, anemones, irises, late tulips and lilac branches. Buy peonies in tight buds — they open at home in a day or two and become lush. Lilac and snowball viburnum are striking but wilt faster, so put them in water as soon as they are cut. Ranunculus and anemones pair well with eucalyptus for soft pastel spring arrangements. Lily of the valley is best given as a small separate posy so its scent is not lost among other flowers.

What Flowers to Give in May: Holidays and Occasions

• Mother’s Day (second Sunday of May) — peonies, soft roses, lilac, lisianthus; ideas in birthday wishes for mom.
• Vyshyvanka Day (third Thursday of May) — folk-style bouquets with wildflowers, poppies, cornflowers and wheat.
• Last school bell — small bouquets for teachers: peonies, roses, ranunculus, lilac sprigs.
• Kindergarten and school graduations — light, compact bouquets that are easy for children to hold.
• Weddings — May opens the wedding season: white peonies, lily of the valley and snowball viburnum create a classic bridal look.
• Birthdays — a seasonal mix of peonies, irises and tulips.

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May Bouquet Colours

May bouquets are usually pastel: white lilac, pink peonies, cream ranunculus and blue forget-me-nots. For more energy, add blue and purple irises, bright anemones or yellow late tulips. A white-and-green palette of lily of the valley, snowball viburnum and eucalyptus looks fresh and suits weddings, while yellow-and-blue combinations of irises and yellow tulips fit patriotic holidays.

What to Plant in May

May is the time to plant out annual seedlings once frost has passed: petunias, marigolds, lobelia, cosmos, zinnias and snapdragons. Nasturtiums and sunflowers can be sown straight into the soil. Perennials such as peonies, irises and heuchera are best moved in autumn; in spring just feed and mulch them. More on seasonal planting in a bed that blooms all season.

How to Keep Lilac, Peonies and Lily of the Valley Fresh

• Lilac — cut early in the morning, strip most leaves, split the stem ends 3–4 cm with a knife and place in cool water.
• Peonies — keep buds cool; move the vase somewhere warm to speed up opening.
• Lily of the valley — use a small separate vase and change the water daily.
• Tulips — keep growing in the vase, so use a little cold water.

General rules are in how to make a bouquet last.

FAQ

What flowers bloom in May?

Lilac, lily of the valley, chestnuts, late tulips and daffodils, irises, ranunculus, anemones, forget-me-nots, snowball viburnum and the first peonies.

What flowers should I give my mom in May?

Peonies, soft roses, lilac branches or a pastel bouquet of ranunculus and lisianthus.

How do I make lilac last longer in a vase?

Cut it in the morning, strip the leaves, split the stems and use cool water changed daily.

Can I pick wild lily of the valley?

Better not: leave wild plants in nature and use garden-grown lily of the valley for bouquets.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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