There are so many plants to choose from at this time of year it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, here is a handy list of our top plant picks for May:
Climbers
Clematis × cartmanii ‘Avalanche’ – A vigorous, deciduous climber prized for its profusion of large, pure white flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. The elegant, star-shaped blooms stand out against dark green foliage, creating a long-lasting display. Ideal for training over trellises, pergolas, arches or fences, it adds vertical interest and brightens garden spaces. Grow in full sun or partial shade with roots kept cool in moist but well-drained soil. Clematis ‘Avalanche’ typically reaches 4 metres in height and 2.5 metres spread, offering enduring floral beauty.
Clematis montana var. grandiflora – A vigorous, deciduous climber celebrated for its stunning, pure white flowers that bloom profusely in late spring to early summer. The large, single blooms cover the plant, creating a spectacular, cascading display over walls, pergolas, trellises or fences. Dark green foliage provides a lush backdrop, turning soft yellow in autumn. Grow in full sun or partial shade with roots kept cool in moist but well-drained soil. Clematis montana ‘Grandiflora’ can reach 8-12 metres in height and 4 metres spread, making it ideal for covering large structures and adding abundant seasonal interest.
Ceanothus (Californian Lilac) – one of those plants that truly earns its keep in a garden. It bursts into these incredible clouds of blue. Once it settles in, it’s wonderfully unfussy: it loves sunshine, hates soggy feet, and rewards you by staying evergreen and tidy without much coaxing.
Ornamental Trees
Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’ – Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum,’ commonly known as Golden Full Moon Maple, is a spectacular deciduous tree prized for its vibrant and unique foliage. With a moderate growth rate, it typically reaches a height of 6 metres. This Maple cultivar is distinguished by its large, rounded leaves that emerge in spring with a brilliant golden-yellow hue, creating a stunning focal point in the landscape. As the season progresses, the color deepens, transitioning to shades of orange and red in autumn. ‘Aureum’ thrives in well-drained, acidic soil and prefers partial shade, making it an exceptional choice for adding both color and texture to gardens.
Acer palmatum ‘Beni-maiko’ (Japanese Maple) – Acer palmatum ‘Beni-maiko’ is a captivating Japanese Maple prized for its vibrant and ever-changing foliage. With a mature height of 1.5-2m, it forms a compact, upright shape. Flourishing in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, this cultivar prefers partial shade to shield its delicate leaves. ‘Beni-maiko’ emerges in spring with brilliant pinkish-red foliage, transitioning to a more subdued pinkish-green in summer and culminating in orange and red tones in autumn. Its small size makes it ideal for smaller gardens or containers, adding a burst of color and elegance. This cultivar showcases the essence of the Japanese Maple’s beauty in a more diminutive form.
Acer palmatum ‘Skeeters Broom’ (Japanese Maple) – Known for its vibrant red foliage and upright, vase-shaped growth habit. In spring, the deeply lobed leaves emerge a bright crimson, transitioning to a rich purple-red in summer, maintaining their striking color throughout the growing season. By autumn, the foliage transforms into brilliant scarlet, creating a spectacular seasonal display. This slow-growing tree reaches 2.5 metres tall, making it a colourful focal point in the garden. Grow in moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position and partial shade.
Cornus kousa (Flowering Dogwood) – A small tree or large shrub typically reaching 4–8 metres in height with a similar spread. It has a bushy or vase‑shaped habit, making it suitable for gardens where space is limited. Typically flowers from May to June. Low maintenance and requires only minimal pruning in winter.
Shrubs
Ceanothus ‘Concha’ (Californian Lilac) – A stunning, evergreen climber or shrub prized for its prolific, deep violet-blue flowers and glossy dark green foliage. Blooming in late spring to early summer, its dense clusters of small flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding vibrant colour to borders and patios. The foliage remains evergreen, providing year-round structure and interest, and the plant has a naturally compact, rounded habit. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it is drought tolerant once established and prefers sheltered sites. At maturity, Ceanothus ‘Concha’ typically reaches 2.5-4 metres in height with a similar spread, making it an ideal statement in the gardens.
Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ – A smaller variety, Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ is a spreading medium-sized evergreen shrub with small, glossy dark green leaves and small bright blue flowers in compact conical clusters in late spring. Great for year-round interest Ceanothus are fast-growing but may be short-lived. This variety is worth consideration for hedges and screening as when pruned it retains its manageable size. Grows well in a sunny sheltered position. Prune after flowering, feed and mulch to provide the nutrients needed. An ideal plant for a wildlife garden. Likes well drained soil, does not do well on chalk.
Final Height: 1-1.5m tall and 1-1.5m wide. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ – A striking evergreen shrub celebrated for its intense, deep‑blue flower clusters that appear in late spring. When in bloom, it becomes a magnet for bees and butterflies, creating a vibrant, wildlife‑friendly focal point. Its glossy, dark green foliage provides year‑round structure, making it just as valuable outside its flowering season.
Ceanothus griseus hor. ‘Yankee Point’ – A vigorous evergreen shrub with a much wider, spreading habit, ‘Yankee Point’ has small glossy dark green leaves and an abundance of deep blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Ideal for year-round cover and with its profusion of blue flowers Californian Lilac is regarded as an excellent plant for a wildlife garden. ‘Yankee Point’ is a particularly good choice for hedging with its wider, spreading habit, we supply it as a shrub for hedging or on a trellis, ideal for fences. A really good, all round garden plant that can be planted in almost any location, suiting flower beds and borders, wall side borders, fences, banks or slopes. Ceanothus in varieties also works well when grown in a container.
Ceanothus ‘Victoria’ – Ceanothus ‘Victoria’ is a fast growing, compact, evergreen shrub prized for its profuse clusters of deep indigo-blue flowers and glossy dark green foliage. Blooming from mid-late spring into summer, the fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies, creating a vibrant display. Its dense, bushy habit makes it ideal for borders, containers, or as a hedge providing structure and colour year-round. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it can reach a height of 2.5 metres.
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (Lavender) – A compact, evergreen English lavender known for its deep violet‑purple flowers, intense fragrance, and excellent hardiness, making it one of the most reliable lavenders.
Syringa (Common Lilac) – a deciduous shrub prized for its intensely fragrant spring flowers which can be white, purple or magenta and long history in gardens. Typically reaching 6–7 m in height it will form a lovely multi‑stemmed, bushy thicket over time.
Trees
Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ – Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’, commonly known as the Wedding Cake Tree, is a deciduous tree admired for its tiered, horizontal branching and ornamental foliage. The leaves are dark green with creamy-white margins, creating a stunning variegated effect throughout the growing season. In early summer, flat clusters of small cream flowers appear, followed by small black berries. Ideal as a specimen tree for gardens, parks, or larger landscapes, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ typically reaches 4-8 metres in height with a similar spread, providing year-round structure, texture, and seasonal interest.
Crataegus x lavalleei (Hawthorn) – A deciduous tree valued for its rounded habit and excellent year-round interest. In late spring, it produces clusters of creamy white flowers that attract pollinators and create a gentle, ornamental display. Glossy dark green leaves turn rich shades of bronze and red in autumn. Bright orange-red berries develop in late summer and persist into winter, providing colour and wildlife value. Crataegus × lavalleei thrives in sun or partial shade and most soil conditions but will not tolerate waterlogged areas. Height 4-8m.
Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Aureomarginatum’ (Tulip Tree) – This is an elegant, deciduous tree prized for its distinctive foliage and striking presence. The unusual, shaped leaves are soft green with golden-yellow margins, adding light and contrast throughout the growing season. In early summer greenish-yellow, tulip-like flowers with orange markings appear followed by the leaves turning warm shades of yellow in autumn. This cultivar is best suited to larger gardens or parkland settings. Thriving in moist but well-drained neutral to acidic soil in full sun or partial shade, it makes a superb specimen tree.
Juglans regia (Walnut tree) – This is a large, deciduous tree valued for its handsome form and edible nuts. It has long green leaves that emerge late in spring, followed by small green flowers and rounded walnuts in autumn. Ideal for large gardens, parks and estates, it grows best in full sun and is adaptable to most soil types, provided conditions are well drained and not prone to waterlogging. Typically reaching 20+metres in height with a broad, spreading canopy, making it an impressive specimen tree.
Sorbus aucuparia ‘Edulis’ (Rowan) – A small to medium-sized ornamental tree prized for its multi-season appeal. In late spring, it produces clusters of creamy white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by abundant bright red berries in late summer and autumn, which are particularly large and edible, appealing to birds and humans alike. Its pinnate green foliage turns yellow to orange in the autumn, adding seasonal interest. Typically reaching 7–12m in height, ‘Edulis’ thrives in moist but well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Its compact form, reliable fruiting, and ornamental value make it ideal for gardens.
Herbaceous perennials
Agapanthus (African Lily) – Agapanthus are dramatic, sun‑loving perennials known for their large, spherical flowerheads in striking blues, purples, and whites. They originate from South Africa but are widely grown in the UK thanks to their toughness and long-lasting summer display.
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle) – Alchemilla mollis, commonly known as Lady’s Mantle, is a charming perennial herb that graces gardens with its unique foliage and delicate blossoms. Characterized by its soft, velvety, scalloped leaves that collect dewdrops like glistening jewels, this plant adds an ethereal quality to any landscape. In late spring and early summer, Alchemilla mollis produces clusters of tiny, chartreuse-yellow flowers held aloft on wiry stems. Its low-growing, mound-forming habit makes it an excellent ground cover, thriving in moist, well-drained soils. Beyond its ornamental appeal, folklore associates Lady’s Mantle with alchemical properties, lending a touch of mystique to this enchanting garden favourite.
Brunnera macrophylla – A clump-forming perennial valued for its large, heart-shaped silver foliage with delicate green veining that brightens shady areas throughout the growing season. In spring, sprays of small, sky-blue, forget-me-not-like flowers rise above the leaves, attracting early pollinators and adding delicate colour to borders or woodland gardens. Typically growing to about 50cm tall with a spread of around 1 metre and thriving in moist, well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Low-maintenance and ideal as ground cover or underplanting, it brings elegant texture and long-lasting interest to shade gardens.
Digitalis purpurea ‘Dalmatian Peach’ (Foxglove) – a compact, early-flowering foxglove cultivar known for its soft apricot‑peach blooms, reliable first‑year flowering, and strong garden performance. Will tolerate shade.
Geum – A clump-forming perennial with softly hairy green leaves and clusters of soft, dusky coloured flowers. Height 1m Spread 50cm. Require full sun.
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ – A hardy perennial known for its upright spires of rich violet-purple flowers held on distinctive dark, almost black stems. Flowering from summer through to autumn, it brings strong vertical interest and bold contrast to borders. The aromatic, grey-green foliage forms neat clumps, making it ideal for structured and contemporary planting schemes. Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators, ‘Caradonna’ thrives in full sun or partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. Easy to maintain, it can be cut back after flowering to encourage repeat blooms. Height and Spread 50cm.
Feeling inspired?
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