May is a magical month for Southern gardens, bursting with colorful flowers that thrive in the warmth and longer days. From the vibrant shades of azaleas and daylilies to the elegant blooms of magnolias and gardenias, this is the season when gardens truly come alive. Whether you’re strolling through a manicured lawn or a charming cottage-style yard, the South’s early-summer bloomers deliver beauty that’s hard to beat.
In this guide, we’ll highlight 15 gorgeous flowers that are reaching their peak this May. You’ll discover easy tips for caring for these Southern favorites, learn how to extend their blooming periods, and get ideas for combining them into stunning displays. If you want your garden to overflow with life and color this month, these must-have plants deserve a spot in your landscape.
Southern Magnolia
In the heart of Southern gardens, the Southern Magnolia stands as a symbol of elegance and resilience. Its large, creamy-white flowers exude a sweet lemony fragrance that perfumes the air. Growing up to 80 feet tall, these majestic trees provide ample shade and a sense of grandeur to any landscape. The glossy, evergreen leaves are as striking as the blooms themselves, creating a lush backdrop throughout the year. Coastal regions, with their warm, humid climate, are perfect for these magnolias. Planting them in well-drained soil ensures they flourish, rewarding gardeners with their impressive floral display.
Azalea
Azaleas bring an explosion of color to Southern gardens, with their vibrant pinks, reds, and purples. These deciduous shrubs are known for their profuse blooming and adaptability to various soil types. Typically found in woodland settings, azaleas thrive in partially shaded areas. Ensuring good drainage and slightly acidic soil will keep them healthy and blooming year after year. Notably, the Kurume azaleas are popular in Southern landscapes due to their compact form and vibrant colors. With proper care, these bushes can become the garden’s show-stopping centerpiece each spring.
Confederate Jasmine
Confederate Jasmine is a favorite among Southern gardeners for its enchanting fragrance. As a versatile climber, it can adorn fences, trellises, or pergolas, creating living walls of green adorned with small, starry white blooms. Despite its delicate appearance, this jasmine is quite hardy, thriving in full sun to partial shade. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to add vertical interest to their gardens. Regular pruning keeps the vine manageable while encouraging more blooms. Its intoxicating scent makes evening garden strolls truly memorable, weaving a fragrant tapestry through the twilight air.
Gardenia
Gardenias are the epitome of fragrance and beauty in Southern gardens. Their creamy white blossoms stand out against glossy, dark green foliage, offering an exquisite visual and aromatic experience. Often planted near entryways or patios, gardenias require well-drained, acidic soil and regular watering to thrive. These temperamental beauties demand attention but reward with their stunning aroma and elegant appearance. Many Southern gardeners cherish the challenge of growing gardenias, a beloved choice for brightening shaded corners with their luminous blooms and delightful scent that lingers in the warm evening air.
Camellia
Camellias grace Southern gardens with their lush blooms in shades ranging from white to deep red. Known for their ability to bloom in late winter through early spring, they bring a touch of color when few other plants do. These evergreen shrubs are cherished for their glossy leaves and long blooming season. Preferring partial shade, camellias thrive in acidic, well-drained soils. Regular pruning after flowering encourages bushy growth and more flowers. Whether planted as a hedge or a standalone specimen, camellias offer timeless beauty and elegance that resonate deeply in Southern landscapes.
Wisteria
Wisteria, with its cascading clusters of lavender-blue flowers, creates an enchanting atmosphere in any Southern garden. These vigorous climbers can transform arbors and trellises into dreamy floral displays. Although they require patience to establish, once mature, their blooms are simply breathtaking. Wisterias thrive in full sun and well-drained soils, with regular pruning needed to control their exuberant growth. Their pendulous blossoms attract pollinators, adding life and movement to the garden. The sight of a wisteria in full bloom is a testament to nature’s artistry, captivating garden enthusiasts young and old.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are a Southern garden staple, loved for their large, lush flowerheads and ability to change color based on soil pH. These versatile shrubs bloom from summer into fall, offering a longer flowering season than many plants. Hydrangeas prefer morning sun with afternoon shade, flourishing in well-drained, nutrient-rich soils. Regular watering is key to maintaining their vigor and abundant blooms. Known for their ability to shift from blue to pink, depending on soil acidity, hydrangeas offer an exciting element of surprise. They make excellent cut flowers, bringing a touch of Southern charm indoors.
Daylily
Daylilies add a splash of sunshine to Southern gardens with their vibrant, trumpet-like flowers. Known for their hardiness and ease of care, these perennials thrive in full sun to partial shade. Daylilies are perfect for borders or mass plantings, where they can create a colorful tapestry. Each bloom lasts just a single day, but with many buds per stem, the display continues throughout the season. They adapt well to various soil types and require minimal maintenance, making them a favorite among busy gardeners. Their cheerful presence is a reminder of the simple joys found in nature.
Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtles are a quintessential Southern favorite, known for their long-lasting blooms and striking bark. These deciduous trees provide year-round interest with their vibrant summer flowers, autumn foliage, and peeling bark in winter. Available in a range of sizes and colors, they suit any garden style. Crape Myrtles prefer full sun and well-drained soil, thriving even in challenging conditions. Regular pruning enhances their natural shape and encourages more blooms. Their adaptability and beauty make them a cherished choice for Southern landscapes, providing shade and a splash of color through the hot summer months.
Lantana
Lantana adds a vibrant pop of color to Southern gardens with its clusters of small, brightly colored flowers. This hardy plant is drought-tolerant once established, thriving in the sunny, warm climates of the South. Ideal for borders, pots, or hanging baskets, lantanas attract butterflies, making them a lively addition to any garden. They love full sun and well-drained soils, and their blooms persist from spring to frost. Regular deadheading promotes continuous flowering. The cheerful hue of lantanas adds a festive touch, bringing the spirit of summer alive in gardens and patios alike.
Bluebonnet
Bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, paint Southern landscapes in waves of deep blue. These hardy wildflowers flourish in sunny, well-drained areas, thriving in the Southern climate. Their dense, lupine-like flowers attract pollinators and are a sight to behold in full bloom. Planting bluebonnets requires a bit of patience, but once they take hold, they naturalize beautifully, returning year after year. Often seen carpeting fields and roadsides, bluebonnets symbolize the beauty of wild, untamed nature, offering a serene escape. Their proliferation marks the true arrival of spring in the Southern heartland.
Caladium
Caladiums, with their heart-shaped leaves and stunning color patterns, bring a touch of artistic flair to Southern gardens. These shade-loving plants thrive in the humid Southern climate, offering a lush, tropical look. Caladiums are perfect for adding color to shaded areas, with leaf patterns ranging from striking reds and pinks to soft greens and whites. They require moist, well-drained soil and regular watering to flourish. As a seasonal favorite, caladiums provide bold visual interest, making them a standout choice for borders, containers, or mixed plantings where their vibrant foliage can truly shine.
Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are a sunny addition to Southern gardens, known for their cheerful yellow petals and contrasting dark centers. These hardy perennials thrive in full sun, adapting well to various soil conditions. Their daisy-like flowers bloom from late summer into fall, attracting butterflies and adding a wildflower charm. Black-eyed Susans require minimal maintenance, making them an excellent choice for low-effort gardening. They are often used in naturalistic plantings or as part of a mixed border. Their bright, sunny demeanor brings warmth and joy to the garden, echoing the long, lazy days of summer.
Zinnia
Zinnias offer a riot of color and ease of care, making them popular in Southern gardens. These annuals thrive in full sun, blooming profusely over a long season. With a variety of shapes and vibrant hues, zinnias add excitement to borders, beds, and containers. They are also excellent for attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees. Zinnias prefer well-drained soil and regular watering, though they are quite adaptable. Their cut flowers last well, bringing the garden’s vivacity indoors. Easy to grow from seed, zinnias provide an ever-changing palette of color that celebrates the garden’s vitality.