May in Bloom: Whistlefish's Guide to Flowers, Fragrance & Floral Joy

As the days stretch out and the sun finds its strength, May arrives with a flourish. It’s such an exciting time in the garden — the last of the spring bulbs are still going strong, while early summer flowers are starting to steal the show. Borders begin to burst, pots overflow with colour, and hedgerows hum with new life. At Whistlefish, where nature inspires everything we do, May is one of our favourite months for floral design and seasonal inspiration.

A riot of blooms: 15 plants that make May magical

With so many flowers in bloom, May is perfect for filling your home with fresh cuttings. Whether you’re gathering tulips for the kitchen table, or snipping a few alliums for a dramatic vase display, there’s colour and scent everywhere you turn. For best results, pick your flowers in the early morning when they’re full of water, and plunge them straight into a bucket. It helps them last longer and look their best.

1. Tulips – Spring garden favourites, tulips come in endless colour combinations and are perfect for spring floral arrangements.

2. Peonies – These lush, fragrant flowers bloom beautifully in late spring, adding romance and elegance to your garden and home.

3. Primroses – Colourful, low-maintenance, and loved by pollinators, primroses thrive in May and brighten borders and containers.

4. Lilacs – Fragrant lilac blooms are perfect for cutting and enjoying indoors, a must-have for any May cutting garden.

5. Wisteria – Cascading wisteria blossoms bring dramatic flair to arches, pergolas, and garden walls, blooming gloriously in May.

6. Geraniums – Hardy geraniums provide continuous blooms from May through summer, perfect for hanging baskets and beds.

7. Rhododendrons – These bold shrubs bloom in vibrant pinks and purples, making them a focal point in spring gardens.

8. Alliums – Known for their globe-shaped blooms, alliums add architectural interest and are ideal for long-lasting vase displays.

9. Salvia – Salvia flowers are bee-friendly and thrive in May gardens, offering spikes of vibrant blue and purple.

10. Calendula – A cheerful addition to any border, calendula blooms in golden hues and is known for its skin-soothing benefits.

11. Wallflowers – Easy to grow and delightfully scented, wallflowers bloom alongside tulips and are fantastic in spring bouquets.

12. Hellebores – Late-blooming hellebores continue into May, offering elegant flowers in shaded garden areas.

13. Jacob’s Ladder – Featuring delicate blue blooms and ladder-like foliage, this plant adds old-fashioned charm to cottage gardens.

14. Aubrieta – A perfect ground cover for rockeries and walls, aubrieta carpets surfaces with purple and pink blossoms.

15. Aquilegia – Also called columbine, these whimsical flowers attract bees and add a touch of magic to May garden beds.

May birth Flowers and their meanings

Lily of the Valley – One of the official birth flowers for May, lily of the valley symbolises purity, humility, and the return of happiness. Its delicate white bells and sweet fragrance make it popular in weddings and spring arrangements.

Hawthorn – Also known as the May Tree, hawthorn blooms in late spring with clusters of white or pink flowers. It represents hope, renewal, and protection and is often used in traditional May Day celebrations.

Why May is the perfect month for floral gifting

May isn’t just about flowers in the garden — it’s about bringing that beauty indoors and sharing it with others. Whether it’s a hand-picked bouquet, a floral greeting card, or a piece of art inspired by spring blooms, flowers help us connect.

At Whistlefish, we channel the essence of spring into everything we create — from botanical art prints and floral gift wrap to seasonal birth flower cards and vibrant greeting cards.

Looking for seasonal floral inspiration?
Explore our Floral Collection filled with artwork, floral stationery, wrapping paper, and flower-themed gifts. You can also visit our Whistlefish Blog for more tips on seasonal gardening, gift ideas, and how to bring the outdoors in.