Don’t Wait! Plant These 9 Flower Seeds in May for Nonstop Summer Color

Shakespeare may have been fond of the darling buds of May, but they don’t appear by magic. Behind every burst of early summer color is a well-timed sowing – and, as it happens, May is one of the best moments in the gardening calendar to get started.

As soil temperatures rise and daylight stretches longer, this is the sweet spot for sowing fast-growing, no-fuss flower seeds straight into the ground. There’s no need for grow lights, trays on windowsills, or a greenhouse setup; in fact, all it really takes is a patch of soil, a packet of seeds (or three!), and a bit of patience.

If you're sorely lacking in the latter, though, don't despair; many of these easy, reliable bloomers germinate quickly and get to work fast, filling beds, borders, and containers with color in just a few weeks. Which means, yes, they're quick and easy. Sounds almost too good to be true, right?

Plant These Flower Seeds in May

If you plant the right flower seeds in May, you can enjoy a continuous display that carries you right through summer and well into fall. Especially if you pick out reliable bloomers and self-seeding annuals that are known for thriving across a wide range of USDA hardiness zones.

With that in mind, then...

1. Zinnias

Bold, cheerful, and almost impossibly easy, zinnias are the ultimate cut-and-come-again flower. Direct sow them in batches every 2-3 weeks after your last frost and they’ll germinate in days, producing vivid blooms in pinks, oranges, and reds well into autumn.

They love heat, tolerate drought, and the more you cut them, the more they flower, making them perfect for long-lasting summer displays. Pick up a packet of Burpee Cut and Come Again Mixed Colors Zinnia Flower Seed, then, and get sowing.

2. Cosmos

If you want effortless height and movement, cosmos are hard to beat. Their airy foliage and daisy-like flowers bring a relaxed, meadow feel to borders. Plus, they thrive in poor soil and actually bloom better when slightly neglected, making them ideal for low-maintenance gardens.

If you only sow these flower seeds in May, then, you'll see yourself in good stead, so long as you don't overwater or overfeed them (that's a surefire route to more leaves than flowers). We're fond of the hues in this Burpee Gazebo Mixed Colors Cosmos Flower Seed pack, if you're wondering.

3. California Poppies

For silky, sun-loving blooms, California poppies are a must. Once sown, they often self-seed, giving you repeat colour year after year in warmer zones. Their drought tolerance makes them especially useful in dry or low-water gardens. And, as an added plus, you can even sow them directly into cracks or gravel if you're feeling particularly lazy.

Try the Burpee Sunset Mixed California Poppy Flower Seed from Walmart if you're in the mood for shades of orange, yellow, and cream.

4. Sunflowers

Nothing says summer quite like sunflowers. From towering giants to compact varieties, they’re quick to grow and loved by pollinators, making them some of the very best flower seeds to sow in May. Especially as, with so many varieties available, there really is a sunny sunflower to suit everyone.

5. Nasturtiums

Ornamental? Check! Edible? Check! Easy as anything? Check and check! Honestly, nasturtiums are a no-brainer when you're picking out flower seeds in May, as they offer vibrant blooms in fiery shades alongside trailing or bushy foliage.

Thriving in poorer soils and brilliant for containers and borders alike, try sowing something like the Burpee Jewel Mix Nasturtium, Annual Flower Seed Mix for a bold display.

6. Marigolds

Whether you love 'em or hate 'em (this writer's in the latter camp), there's no denying that marigolds are a staple for a reason. They’re incredibly easy to grow, pest-resistant, and bloom non-stop until the first frost. And they're not just reliable and cheerful, either; they also make excellent companion plants in vegetable gardens, too.

Bag yourself a pack of Burpee's Best Mixed Colors Marigold Flower Seeds, then, and get sowing.

7. Cornflowers (Bachelor’s Buttons)

In the mood for something with more of a cottage garden feel? Well, cornflowers bring delicate blue (and sometimes pink or white) blooms that pollinators love, and they look ever so whimsical peeping out from borders. Don't mistake whimsy for weakness, though; they’re cool-tolerant, so they establish well even in slightly unpredictable spring weather.

While you can sow directly into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked, you can also grow bachelor buttons in containers, too. Try the Dwarf Cornflower (Bachelor Button) Polka Dot Mix Seeds if this is the route you prefer to take.

8. Coreopsis

Often overlooked, annual coreopsis delivers masses of sunny yellow blooms that last for months. Plus, they’re heat-tolerant, drought-resistant, and incredibly easy from seed, making them ideal for even beginner gardeners.

If you're more of a 'go big or go home' gardener, try something like Everwilde Farms' Gold Vault Jumbo Bulk Seed Packet of Coreopsis Seeds. Because bulk planting = majestic impact, quite honestly.

9. Sweet Alyssum

Last but not least on our list of flower seeds to plant in May is sweet alyssum. For low-growing, fragrant ground cover, this is a standout, not least of all because its tiny flowers create a soft carpet that attracts pollinators and softens edges.

In cooler climates, it will bloom continuously; in hotter regions, it may pause in peak summer before returning in the fall. Try something like Alyssum Pastel Carpet Annual Flower Seeds for a truly hands-off sowing experience.

Honestly, all it takes is a packet of seeds and a bit of sunshine to turn bare soil into a long-lasting summer display.

Sow any of these flower seeds in May, then, and you can sit back happily in your sun-lounger, safe in the knowledge that, come by mid-summer, you’ll have a garden that keeps on giving right through to the first frost.