May Flowers, Birth Flowers and Floral Gifts

May is the month when gardens truly begin to sing. Spring bulbs are still making their final bow, early summer flowers are beginning to unfold, and every border seems to be filled with colour, fragrance and life.

Whether you are planning your own garden, choosing flowers for a loved one or simply looking for a little seasonal inspiration, May is a beautiful time to enjoy floral designs in all their forms.

A riot of blooms: 15 plants that make May magical

If you love bringing flowers indoors, it is best to pick them early in the morning when the stems are full of water and the day is still cool. A simple vase of freshly gathered blooms can bring the beauty of the garden into your home.

1. Tulips - elegant, colourful and full of charm, tulips are one of the most joyful sights in a May garden.

   

2. Peonies - loved for their soft, full petals and romantic feel, peonies are a firm favourite for late spring arrangements.

   

3. Primroses - delicate and cheerful, primroses bring gentle colour to borders, pots and woodland-style gardens.

   

4. Lilacs - with their clusters of tiny flowers and beautiful scent, lilacs are a wonderful sign that warmer days are on their way.

   

5. Wisteria - graceful and dramatic, wisteria brings a dreamlike quality to walls, pergolas and garden arches.

   

6. Geraniums - bright, reliable and easy to love, geraniums add colour to pots, window boxes and garden borders.

   

7. Rhododendrons - bold and generous, rhododendrons create striking displays with their large clusters of blooms.

   

8. Alliums - sculptural and eye-catching, alliums bring height and structure to May planting schemes.

   

9. Salvia - with its upright stems and rich colour, salvia is a lovely choice for adding movement and depth to a border.

   

10. Calendula - bright and sunny, calendula is traditionally associated with skin-soothing properties and brings a cheerful note to the garden.

    

11. Wallflowers - richly coloured and often beautifully scented, wallflowers are a classic spring favourite.

    

12. Hellebores - understated and elegant, hellebores bring soft beauty to shady corners and early-season displays.

    

13. Jacob’s Ladder - known for its pretty ladder-like leaves and delicate flowers, this plant adds a gentle cottage-garden feel.

    

14. Aubrieta - a lovely trailing plant, aubrieta is often seen spilling over walls and edges in a haze of purple and pink.

    

15. Aquilegia - graceful and distinctive, aquilegia brings a light, romantic touch to May gardens.

    

May birth flowers and their meanings

May has two traditional birth flowers: lily of the valley and hawthorn. Lily of the valley is often associated with sweetness, humility and the return of happiness, while hawthorn is linked with hope, protection and love.

For a thoughtful May birthday, our May Birth Flower Card is a lovely way to send a message with meaning.

Why May is the perfect month for floral gifting

There is something naturally uplifting about giving flowers in May. The season feels hopeful, full of colour and gentle warmth, which makes floral designs especially suited to birthdays, thank you notes, thinking of you messages and small moments of care.

If you would like to send something that lasts longer than a fresh bouquet, explore our floral cards or browse our floral gifts for artwork-led pieces inspired by nature.

From cottage garden favourites to delicate birth flower illustrations, May is full of inspiration for thoughtful gifting. A simple floral card, chosen with care, can be a beautiful way to brighten someone’s day.