May might feel a little late for bulbs, but guess what? You’ve still got time to tuck in some real beauties and get a colorful payoff sooner than you’d think.
I’ve rounded up 15 that are totally worth planting right now—they’re the kind that’ll make you smile every time you walk past. And just to make life easier, I’ll also tell you which 7 can hang tight for later.
Grab those gloves and let’s get a few more blooms in the ground before the month slips by!
1. Gladiolus: Summer’s Dramatic Performers
Gladiolus corms love the warming May soil and will rocket upward once planted. I put some in last May thinking I was too late, but they still produced those tall, dramatic flower spikes by late summer.
Plant them 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart in a sunny spot. The deeper you plant them, the less likely they’ll need staking when those impressive blooms appear.
For continuous flowering, try planting batches every two weeks through early June. This staggered approach keeps the color coming all summer long.
2. Dahlias: The Show-Stopping Tubers
May is actually perfect timing for dahlia tubers. The soil has warmed enough to prevent rot but leaves plenty of growing season for these spectacular bloomers. My neighbor waited until Memorial Day weekend last year and still had incredible dinner-plate sized flowers by August.
Position the tuber horizontally with the growing eye facing up, about 4-6 inches deep. Add a stake at planting time since you’ll need it later.
Dahlias thrive with consistent watering but hate soggy feet, so ensure good drainage in their bed.
3. Begonia Tubers: Shade Garden Champions
Tucked under my maple tree last May, begonia tubers surprised me with their willingness to grow despite the late start. These shade-loving plants actually prefer the soil to be thoroughly warm before planting.
Set the tuber with the concave side facing up, just barely covered with soil. They’re shallow growers that appreciate rich, well-draining soil.
Begonias don’t rush to bloom, but their patience pays off with continuous flowers from mid-summer until frost. The wait is worth it for these reliable performers in spots where other flowers struggle.
4. Calla Lilies: Elegant Sophistication
Calla lily rhizomes have never complained when I’ve planted them in May. Their elegant, sculptural flowers seem to emerge just as quickly as those planted earlier.
Plant these beauties about 4 inches deep with the growing points facing up. They appreciate a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer regions.
A handful of compost mixed into their planting hole gives them the rich organic matter they love. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged for best results – they’re thirstier than many other summer bulbs.
5. Crocosmia: Hummingbird Magnets
Last year I popped some forgotten crocosmia corms into a sunny border in mid-May. By August, their arching stems were dancing with fiery orange-red blooms that had hummingbirds visiting daily.
Plant these corms 3-5 inches deep in well-draining soil. They’re surprisingly drought-tolerant once established, making them perfect for that spot in your garden that doesn’t get regular watering.
The sword-shaped foliage looks attractive even before the blooms appear, giving your garden structure and vertical interest from early summer onward.
6. Lily Of The Valley: Woodland Sweetness
These fragrant pips (small rhizomes) actually prefer being planted while actively growing in spring rather than dormant. The tiny bell-shaped blooms smell heavenly in my shady garden corner.
Space pips about 6 inches apart with the growth buds facing up, just below the soil surface. They’ll spread over time to form a gorgeous groundcover in shady spots.
Be patient if planting in May – they might not flower heavily the first year, but they’re setting up for a spectacular showing next spring. I’ve found they establish better with consistent moisture during their first season.
7. Liatris: Purple Spires Of Butterfly Joy
Liatris corms planted in May will still produce those fantastic purple spikes that butterflies can’t resist. I’ve had success with these native prairie plants even when planting well into late spring.
Place the corms just 2-3 inches deep in a sunny location. Unlike many bulbs, liatris actually blooms from the top down, creating an unusual and extended display.
Their drought tolerance makes them perfect for that hot, dry spot in your garden where other plants struggle. Once established, they’ll return reliably for years with practically no maintenance.
8. Freesia: Intoxicating Fragrance
The sweet scent of freesia is worth the wait! May planting gives these corms the warm soil they crave, and they’ll often bloom faster than those planted in cooler spring conditions.
Plant the corms about 2 inches deep with the pointed end up. A handful of bone meal in the planting hole helps fuel those fragrant blooms.
Freesias appreciate consistent moisture while growing but prefer to dry out a bit between waterings once established. In cooler climates, they make excellent container plants that can be moved to protected areas when temperatures drop.
9. Acidanthera (Peacock Orchid): Late-Summer Surprise
One of my garden’s best-kept secrets, these graceful corms produce star-shaped white flowers with maroon centers that appear in late summer. May planting works perfectly for their timeline.
Plant them 4 inches deep in a sunny, well-draining location. Their slender stems may need light staking in windy areas.
The sweet vanilla-like fragrance intensifies in the evening, making them perfect near patios or windows where you can enjoy their scent. I’ve found grouping at least 12 bulbs together creates the most impressive display.
10. Ranunculus: Paper-Like Perfection
Those rose-like blooms with tissue-paper petals are still possible with May planting in many regions. The claw-shaped tubers actually prefer soil that’s warmed up a bit.
Soak the dried tubers overnight before planting to rehydrate them. Place them with the “fingers” pointing downward, about 2 inches deep in rich, well-draining soil.
Keep the soil consistently moist until growth appears, then water regularly but not excessively. A light layer of mulch helps maintain moisture without promoting rot – something I learned the hard way after drowning a few!
11. Caladium: Tropical Foliage Stunners
No flowers needed! These tropical tubers produce heart-shaped leaves in amazing patterns of white, pink, red and green. May planting is actually ideal since they refuse to grow in cool soil.
Plant tubers about 2 inches deep with the bumpy side up in a shaded location. The warmer your climate, the more shade they’ll appreciate.
Caladiums love humidity and moisture, making them perfect companions for hostas and ferns in those dampish areas of the garden. I’ve found they perform spectacularly in containers too, where you can control their moisture levels more precisely.
12. Cannas: Bold Tropical Statements
Cannas are heat-lovers that actually prefer May planting when the soil has thoroughly warmed. Their bold foliage and bright flowers create a tropical look even in temperate gardens.
Place rhizomes horizontally about 4-6 inches deep with any visible growth points facing upward. Space them at least 18 inches apart to accommodate their substantial size.
For the most dramatic effect, plant them where they’ll catch late afternoon sun – this makes their colorful foliage absolutely glow. Regular feeding throughout the growing season keeps the show going until frost.
13. Eucomis (Pineapple Lily): Quirky Conversation Starter
My favorite oddball bulb! Eucomis produces rosettes of strap-like leaves topped with star-shaped flowers arranged around a stem, resembling a pineapple. May planting works perfectly for these conversation pieces.
Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep in rich, well-draining soil that gets plenty of sun. They’re surprisingly drought-tolerant once established but flower best with regular watering.
The blooms last for weeks and make excellent cut flowers. Leave the spent flower heads in place – they add interesting texture to the garden well into fall and winter.
14. Elephant Ears (Colocasia): Statement Foliage
May is actually the perfect time to plant these dramatic tubers. The massive heart-shaped leaves unfurl quickly in warm soil and create instant tropical drama in the garden.
Plant the tubers about 4 inches deep with the bumpy side down and smooth side up. They appreciate rich soil amended with compost and consistent moisture.
For maximum growth, feed them regularly with a high-nitrogen fertilizer and keep them well-watered. My elephant ears planted in May still reached over 5 feet tall by summer’s end in a partially shaded spot near my patio.
15. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum): Fall’s First Surprise
Don’t let the name fool you – these unusual corms should be planted in spring for fall blooms. May is perfect timing for these naked flowers that emerge without leaves months after planting.
Set the corms about 3-4 inches deep in well-draining soil. Unlike many bulbs, they tolerate partial shade and actually appreciate being protected from intense afternoon sun.
The fascinating flowers appear seemingly out of nowhere in fall, with no leaves in sight (the foliage appears in spring, then dies back). Their unexpected appearance always delights garden visitors who can’t figure out where they came from!
16. Tulips: Spring’s Classic Show (Better Wait)
As tempting as those discount bin tulip bulbs might be in May, resist the urge! Tulips need a long cold period to bloom properly and rarely perform well when planted in spring.
Store any tulip bulbs you have in the refrigerator (away from fruits) until fall planting time. Mark your calendar for October or November when the soil has cooled but isn’t frozen.
The waiting game pays off with those perfect cup-shaped blooms next spring. I’ve tried May planting in desperation before – the results were always disappointing compared to fall-planted ones.
17. Daffodils: Cheerful Harbingers (Save For Fall)
Those sunny yellow trumpets need fall planting to perform their spring magic. May-planted daffodil bulbs typically produce foliage but few or no flowers the following spring.
If you’ve got daffodil bulbs now, store them in a cool, dry, dark place with good air circulation until September or October. A mesh bag in the basement works well for me.
Plant them pointy-end up about 6 inches deep when fall arrives. Your patience will be rewarded with those cheerful nodding blooms that announce spring’s arrival next year.
18. Hyacinths: Fragrant Spring Beauties (Hold Off)
Those intensely fragrant flower spikes require a proper winter chill to develop. May planting almost always results in disappointment – either no growth at all or just leaves without flowers.
Store hyacinth bulbs in a paper bag in a cool, dry place until fall planting season. The refrigerator crisper drawer works well if it doesn’t contain apples or other fruits that release ripening gases.
When autumn temperatures cool the soil, plant them about 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Your nose will thank you next spring when their sweet perfume fills the garden.
19. Snowdrops: Winter’s End Markers (Wait Until Fall)
These tiny white nodding flowers are among the earliest spring bloomers, sometimes pushing through snow. They absolutely require fall planting to perform well.
If you have snowdrop bulbs now, keep them in a paper bag in a cool, dark place until autumn. Unlike larger bulbs, they dry out easily, so check occasionally to ensure they’re not shriveling.
Plant them “in the green” (right after flowering) or as dry bulbs in fall, about 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. I’ve had the best success planting them in small groups of 7-10 bulbs for a natural-looking display.
20. Allium: Architectural Wonders (Fall Is Best)
Those perfect purple spheres on tall stems make stunning garden statements, but they need fall planting to develop properly. May-planted allium bulbs rarely succeed in producing flowers the following year.
Store the bulbs in a cool, dry place with good air circulation until fall. A mesh bag hung in a basement or garage works well as long as temperatures don’t get too hot.
When autumn arrives, plant smaller varieties 3-4 inches deep and giant varieties 6-8 inches deep. Your reward next late spring will be those magnificent globe-shaped blooms that look like garden fireworks!
21. Fritillaria: Striking Spring Oddities (Hold Until Fall)
These unique, often checkered or bell-shaped blooms are true garden curiosities, but they need a cold dormancy period to bloom properly. I once tried planting them in May and only got sparse foliage—lesson learned!
Fritillaria bulbs are also sensitive to rot, so store them in a well-ventilated, dry spot until fall. Once the cool autumn air settles in, plant them about 5-6 inches deep in well-drained soil. A sprinkle of sand in the planting hole helps prevent moisture buildup around the bulb.
Their nodding, quirky flowers come in hues from deep purple to creamy yellow, and they’re a favorite for adding texture and conversation to spring beds—definitely worth the wait.
22. Muscari (Grape Hyacinths): Spring’s Sweet Carpet (Fall is Best)
These tiny but mighty bulbs form a delightful carpet of blue, purple, or white flowers in early spring. While they may look easygoing, muscari absolutely need a winter chill to bloom correctly.
If you’ve got muscari bulbs in June, resist the urge to plant them now. Instead, store them in a mesh bag in a dry, dark location with plenty of airflow until late September or October.
Come fall, plant them just 2-3 inches deep and a few inches apart. For the most enchanting effect, I recommend tucking them into the edges of borders or around stepping stones—they naturalize beautifully and return each spring in greater numbers.