With the April showers behind us, it’s time to start admiring all of those May flowers. You won’t be surprised when I say that the month of May is one of my favorites. The soggy ground left over from April is ready to put on a show. This week’s post is all about the lovely flowers that appear in May. But first …
The Story Behind an Old Saying
“April showers bring May flowers.” You’ve probably repeated that quote once or twice in your life, but do you know the story behind it? The quote dates back to a poem written in 1557 by a man named Thomas Tusser. The exact line is, “Sweet April showers do bring May flowers.” Taken literally, it means that April showers are necessary to help flowers grow and bloom in May, but you could think of the quote as advice for facing life’s troubles, too. Developing patience and persistence in troubled times can strengthen your character and make you a happier person, and often, difficult times are followed by better days.
Flowers That Bloom in May
1.) Azaleas: These flowers enjoy full sunlight and soil that is rich in hummus. Azaleas are seen in purple, red, white, pink, and cream. Plus, they are resistant to many insects and diseases.
2.) Clematis: Clematis needs to be planted in slightly alkaline soil and receive full sunlight to thrive. This flower can be blue, purple, violet, red, white, or pink. Some clematis features two colors.
3.) Lilacs: These blooms need to be planted in well-drained soil where they will receive at least six hours of sunlight. Lilac colors include lavender, blue, purple, pink, magenta, white, and violet. The sweet fragrance of lilacs is part of what makes them a popular May flower in many gardens.
4.) Mock orange: With its fragrant, white flowers, mock orange is a May favorite of many gardening enthusiasts. Some people describe mock orange as a fountain of white flowers. This plant needs to live in an area with full sunlight and well-drained soil.
5.) Peonies: Did you know that some peonies can live to be 100 years old? These hardy flowers need rich soil and fare best in an area with lots of sunlight. Plant them in a spot where they won’t be disturbed by strong winds. Peonies are deer-resistant flowers and can be white, pink, yellow, red, or purple.
6.) Primrose or Primula: This May flower can grow to be a foot tall and fares best in partial shade. Primroses can be white, cream, yellow, pink, orange, or red. Be sure the soil is not too moist, as the roots of this flower are vulnerable to rot.
7.) Rhododendrons: Purple, red, yellow, pink, and white are all colors of rhododendrons. Some varieties of this plant can grow to be 25 feet tall! An area with partial sunlight is the perfect spot for this bloom.
8.) Tulips: Whether they are creating a border or have their own section in the garden, tulips are one of the most familiar flowers of spring. Plant these blooms in full sunlight so they will flourish. They can be white, yellow, pink, gold, red, purple, orange, and bi-colored.
9.) Viburnum: This low-maintenance, fragrant shrub can thrive in partial shade or full sun. It is resistant to disease and pests. Its flowers range from white to shades of pink. This shrub grows small, reddish-purple fruit eaten by many birds.
10.) Weigela: Weigela tends to spread out, so make sure you put it in an area where it has plenty of room to grow. It needs full sunlight and well-drained soil. Pink, red, white, or purple are the colors of this bloom. Hummingbirds love the trumpet-shaped petals of weigela.
Lesser-Known Flowers of May
Some other lesser-known flowers that grow in May include zinnias, mountain laurels, great aliums, and hyacinths. The month of May gives you plenty of colorful options for populating your garden!
Popular May Wedding Flowers
May brides have a variety of flowers to choose from for their bouquets and other arrangements. Some examples include calla lilies, gerbera daisies, sweet peas, roses, and ranunculus. I especially enjoy seeing a bridal bouquet brimming with blue and white hyacinths!
When I see all of the May flowers appearing in my garden, I am so glad we had April showers; aren’t you?