Which Flowers to Give in May: Seasonal Blooms and Occasions

May is the most floriferous month of spring: tulips and daffodils are still on sale, the first peonies appear, and lilac, lily of the valley, snowball viburnum and irises bloom in gardens. It is also the month of Mother's Day, Vyshyvanka Day, school "last bell" ceremonies and the first weddings of the season. Here is which flowers to give in May, how seasonal flowers differ from greenhouse ones, what suits each occasion and how to keep a May bouquet fresh.

What blooms in May

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• Lilac is the symbol of a Ukrainian May. It lasts only 3–5 days in a vase: split the end of the woody stem and remove most of the leaves.
• Lily of the valley brings a delicate scent and a May bouquet tradition, as in France on 1 May. Note that it is poisonous, so keep it away from children and cats, and do not pick it in the wild; buy garden-grown stems instead.
• Snowball viburnum produces white "snowballs" that look striking in a tall vase.
• Irises range from blue to almost black; learn about their symbolism in iris flower meaning.
• Peonies appear in the last ten days of May and become the main gift of early summer.

Hydrangea: the hit of May bouquets

In May hydrangeas are greenhouse-grown or imported, but this is when they are most popular: one lush head replaces a dozen other flowers and pairs well with roses, peonies and lisianthus. The key rule is plenty of water: split the stem, use a deep vase and, if the head wilts, submerge it in cool water for half an hour. See varieties in hydrangea photos.

Anemones and ranunculus

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Dark-centred anemones and rose-like ranunculus are the most fashionable spring flowers. Their season ends in May, so this is the last chance for a delicate bouquet with them. Anemones open by day, close at night and keep growing in the vase. More in anemone.

Flowers for May occasions

• Mother's Day (second Sunday of May in Ukraine): peonies or peony-style roses, hydrangea and ranunculus in pastel tones; find warm words in wishes for mum.
• Vyshyvanka Day (third Thursday of May): bouquets inspired by Ukrainian embroidery, with red and white flowers, poppies, wheat ears and viburnum. Read about the symbols in flowers in vyshyvanka embroidery.
• Last bell and graduations: small, light bouquets of spray roses, lisianthus and daisies, and lilac or irises for teachers.
• Weddings: lily of the valley, peonies and snowball viburnum are classic choices for May brides.
• Birthdays: for those born in May under Taurus, earthy shades and lush flowers are often suggested; see our zodiac flower guide.

How to keep a May bouquet fresh

• Split lilac and viburnum stems by 3–4 cm and stand them in a deep vase of cool water.
• Tulips keep growing and bending towards the light, so trim them every 2 days.
• Buy peonies in bud and keep them cool if you want to slow their opening.
• Daffodils release sap that harms other flowers: condition them separately for a few hours before mixing.

How to choose fresh flowers when buying

• Leaves should be firm and green, without yellowing or dark spots.
• Stems should be sturdy, with a pale cut and no slime or bad smell.
• Peony and rose buds should be firm but already showing colour; lilac is best when about half the florets are open.
• Petals should have no translucent edges or scorch marks; removing a rose's outer guard petals is normal.
• Wrapping should not be wet inside, which may mean the bouquet has been lying around.

A May garden: what to plant for your own flowers

If you want to cut bouquets from your own garden every May, plant lilac and snowball viburnum, peonies (planted in August–September), irises, lily of the valley in a shady corner, and late tulip and allium bulbs in autumn. More spring ideas in 10 reasons to love spring.

Frequently asked questions

Which flowers should I give in May?

Seasonal ones: lilac, lily of the valley, irises, peonies at the end of the month, plus hydrangeas, anemones and ranunculus.

When is Mother's Day in Ukraine?

On the second Sunday of May.

How long does lilac last in a vase?

Usually 3–5 days if you split the stem and remove most of the leaves.

Can I give lily of the valley?

Yes, garden-grown stems are a traditional May gift, but the plant is poisonous, so place it out of reach of children and pets.

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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.