15 Colorful Perennial Plants to Plant in May

Choosing a spring moment helps new roots establish for a colorful summer display.

By Srija Burman

Created on Aug 29, 2025

Choosing a spring moment helps new roots establish for a colorful summer display.

15 Beautiful Perennials to Plant in May

Adding perennials to your garden in May sets the stage for lasting color, texture, and beauty throughout the seasonâand for years to come. When you plant at this reliable springtime window, the soil is warming up, the risk of late frost is low in most regions, and roots have ample time to establish before the heat of summer. Below, discover 15 top perennial plants perfect for planting this month, including growing tips and how to integrate them into your landscape for continuous interest.

Why Plant Perennials in May?

May is a prime month for perennial planting because:

Milder temperatures promote steady root development and reduce transplant shock.
Spring moisture allows young plants to establish before summer droughts arrive.
Early planting gives perennials time to settle in, ensuring stronger growth and, in many cases, blooms the same year.

For best results, select healthy nursery starts or well-rooted divisions, avoid planting during excessively rainy or hot spells, and water thoroughly after planting.

15 Perennials You Can Plant in May

1. Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 3â9
Sun: Partial to full shade
Height: 24-48″

The classic bleeding heart bears delicate, heart-shaped blooms in white or pink on arching stems in spring. After flowering, bleeding heart foliage dies back as summer heat intensifies, leaving gaps that can be hidden with companion plants such as hosta or astilbe.

Prefers rich, well-drained soil and consistent moisture.
Low maintenance; cut back after bloom if tidier appearance is desired.
Few serious pest or disease issues.

2. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 4â9
Sun: Full sun to part shade (depends on variety)
Height: 12-18″

Known for their extraordinary foliage colorsâranging from lime to burgundyâcoral bells brighten shade gardens and borders. Fine sprays of tiny bell-shaped flowers rise above the mounded leaves in late spring and early summer, attracting pollinators.

Best in moist but well-drained soil; mulch to retain moisture.
Divide every few years to maintain vigor.

3. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa and others)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 4â9
Sun: Full sun
Height: 18-36″

Salvia plants offer vertical spikes of blue, purple, or pink blooms beloved by bees and hummingbirds. Theyâre reliable performers in most gardens, drought-tolerant once established, and bloom heavily from late spring into summer.

Deadhead spent blooms for extended flowering.
Tolerates a range of soils, but prefers good drainage.

4. Peony (Paeonia spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 3â8
Sun: Full sun
Height: 24-36″

With their large, sumptuous flowers and sweet fragrance, peonies are an old-fashioned garden staple. They establish slowly but reward with many years of lush bloom clusters in late spring or early summer.

Plant with crown just 1â2 inches below surface.
Rarely need division; avoid moving once established.
Provide support to prevent flopping.

5. Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 3â9
Sun: Full sun
Height: 24-36″

Coneflowers offer daisy-like blooms in a variety of colors, with purple being the most common. Attracting bees and butterflies, these tough plants bloom from mid-summer well into fall.

Thrives in poorer soils.
Deadhead to tidy up and encourage reblooming.

6. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 3â9
Sun: Full sun
Height: 24-36″

Bold, cheery yellow flowers with dark centers appear from midsummer until frost. Black-eyed Susans are sturdy plants, perfect for massing in beds or naturalistic borders.

Thrives in average to poor, well-drained soil.
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
Often self-seeds for larger displays over time.

7. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 4â9
Sun: Part to full shade
Height: 12-24″

Astilbe lights up shady, moist corners with feathery plumes of pink, red, or white flowers in early summer. Its divided, ferny foliage adds texture even before flowers open.

Requires consistently moist soil.
Best for woodland gardens and borders that stay cool and damp.

8. Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 3â9
Sun: Full sun to light shade
Height: 18-36″

Daylilies are famed for their care-free growth and resilience: each flower lasts only a day, but plants carry multiple buds for weeks of color. They come in every hue except blue.

Adaptable to many soils and locations.
Divide clumps every 4â5 years to maintain flower strength.

9. Lupine (Lupinus spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 4â8
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Height: 24-48″

Lupines provide dramatic spires of pea-like flowers in colors ranging from blue to pink to white. They excel in cottage gardens and attract both bees and butterflies.

Loose, slightly acidic soils preferred.
Can be short-lived but self-sow in favorable conditions.

10. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 5â9
Sun: Full sun
Height: 24-36″

Famed for their classic white petals and sunny yellow centers, Shasta daisies bloom in summer, providing clean, crisp color that fits into nearly any garden aesthetic.

Deadhead for longest flowering.
Provide well-drained soil; avoid wet winter soils.

11. Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 3â9
Sun: Full sun to light shade
Height: 18-36″

Siberian iris offers elegant, grass-like foliage and intricate purple or blue flowers in early summer. They tolerate wetter areas and make graceful companions for pond edges or rain gardens.

Divide clumps every 3â4 years;
Need regular moisture, especially in the dry season.

12. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 4â8
Sun: Full sun
Height: 12-24″

Known for its abundant spikes of lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage, catmint softly weaves through borders and is extremely drought-tolerant once established. It attracts pollinators and is rarely bothered by deer.

Cut back after primary bloom for possible repeat flush.
Thrives in dry, gravelly soils.

13. Hosta (Hosta spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 3â9
Sun: Partial to full shade
Height: 12-36″

Grown primarily for their lush, textured foliage in shades of blue, green, and gold, hostas are essential shade plants. Summer brings spikes of pale lavender or white flowers beloved by hummingbirds.

Moist, rich soil is ideal.
Slug-resistant varieties available for challenging sites.

14. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 4â9
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Height: 24-36″

A North American native, bee balm produces vibrant, shaggy blooms of red, pink, or purple in midsummer. The aromatic foliage resists deer and supports pollinators, especially bees and hummingbirds.

Prefers moist, organically rich soil.
Divide every few years to curb spread and maintain vigor.

15. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zone: 4â9
Sun: Full sun
Height: 12-36″

Coreopsis, or “tickseed,” provides masses of yellow, orange, or bicolor daisy flowers for sunny spaces. Itâs heat- and drought-tolerant, blooming steadily from early to late summer.

Best flowering in full sun and well-drained soil.
Deadhead for continual bloom.

Companion Planting and Design Tips

Mixing perennials brings ongoing interest and visual harmony to gardens. Try combining:

Shade lovers: Bleeding heart, hosta, astilbe, and coral bells for cool, leafy woodland borders.
Sun enthusiasts: Salvia, coneflower, black-eyed Susan, and coreopsis for vibrant pollinator habitats.
Imported drama: Mix tall spikes (lupine, Siberian iris) with mound-forming plants (daylily, heuchera) and ground covers.

Layer heights, foliage, and bloom times for continuous show and to cover fading foliage. Consider using mulch or ground covers to help retain soil moisture and minimize weeds after planting.

Key Planting and Care Tips

Select healthy plants: Avoid stressed or pot-bound starts.
Water deeply: After transplanting, water thoroughly to settle the soil around roots.
Mulch: Apply a 2â3 inch layer of organic mulch to hold moisture, improve soil, and deter weeds.
Fertilize lightly: Most perennials do well with a spring application of balanced fertilizer or compost.
Monitor moisture: Young perennials need consistent moisture until established, especially during the first summer.

Deadheading, or removing faded flowers, encourages additional bloom and keeps gardens looking fresh.

Summary Table of Featured Perennials

Plant	USDA Zones	Sun	Main Bloom Season
Bleeding Heart	3-9	PartâFull Shade	Mid-late Spring
Coral Bells	4-9	SunâPart Shade	Late SpringâSummer
Salvia	4-9	Full Sun	Late SpringâSummer
Peony	3-8	Full Sun	Late SpringâEarly Summer
Coneflower	3-9	Full Sun	MidâLate Summer
Black-eyed Susan	3-9	Full Sun	MidâLate Summer
Astilbe	4-9	PartâFull Shade	EarlyâMid Summer
Daylily	3-9	SunâLight Shade	Summer
Lupine	4-8	SunâPart Shade	Late Spring
Shasta Daisy	5-9	Full Sun	Summer
Siberian Iris	3-9	SunâLight Shade	Late SpringâEarly Summer
Catmint	4-8	Full Sun	Late SpringâSummer
Hosta	3-9	PartâFull Shade	Summer
Bee Balm	4-9	SunâPart Shade	Mid Summer
Coreopsis	4-9	Full Sun	EarlyâLate Summer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I plant perennials in May?

Plant after your region’s last average frost date, when the soil is workable and day/night temperatures are reliably above freezing.

Can I plant perennials in pots in May?

Absolutely. Use large containers with good drainage and high-quality potting mix. Monitor water needs, as pots dry out faster than ground beds.

How do I help new perennials survive summer heat?

Mulch around bases, water deeply but infrequently, and consider temporary shading for tender plants during hot spells if needed.

How long until my perennials bloom?

Many container-grown perennials bloom the first year, while bareroot or seed-grown types may need a season or more to flower abundantly.

Should I fertilize after planting?

Avoid quick-release fertilizers right after planting. Instead, mix compost or a slow-release, balanced fertilizer into the soil at planting time, then feed gently later if needed.

Final Tips for May Perennial Planting

Plan for succession: Mix early, mid, and late-season bloomers for continual color.
Mind plant spacing: Give each perennial enough room to mature and ensure airflow.
Water wisely: Deep soaks are better than frequent, shallow watering; this encourages deep root growth.

With considered choices and good care, your May-perennial plantings will grow more lush and beautiful each yearâcreating a vibrant, low-maintenance garden that supports pollinators and delights season after season.

References

Author

Srija Burman

Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in writing and editing ranges across niches, including academics, sports, and human psychology.

Read full bio of Srija Burman