May in the Garden 2026

Suddenly in May, everything starts happening all at once. The sunnier weather results in the soil steadily warming which, combined with the longer daylight hours, means plants start to romp away. 

Although we have had some beautiful days, there is still the danger of frost, and we had three frost days in April to underline that fact. May has been tricky so far weather-wise, but at least we have had more rain, which the plants are benefitting from, as overall April was very dry indeed. 

May is the month when we can become overwhelmed with the amount of work to do in the gardens here at Floors. The weeding is continuous, and the help of our Volunteers in keeping the weeds under control is a huge support to the team. Other jobs this month include staking large perennials, planting out vegetables, adding new plants to the borders, and sowing seeds both directly into the ground and under cover in the glasshouse. 

Our French and Runner beans and peas will go in this month, along with the kohl rabi, lettuce, carrots, and beetroot. Mark has been planting out the leeks, onions, and celeriac alongside the swede and broccoli, and his first potatoes are beginning to peek through, so will need earthing up soon. Most of the brassicas will be planted out by the end of May. Under cover, we are sowing cucumbers, courgettes, various squash, and sweetcorn. 

In the flower garden, we are getting ready to create our stunning pots, with the bedding plants we have grown from seed beginning to become strong enough to be planted outside. Some of these are tender half-hardy annuals, and we are still nervous of frost, so the plants won’t be planted out until mid-May. 

The Cutting Garden is beginning to take shape, with the first hardy annuals planted up and the seeds of dill, cornflower, clary sage, and poppies all direct sown. We also have a new bench in the Cutting Garden, created by our own stonemasons, so please do take a seat, and enjoy the view! 

The bulbs and beautiful tulips, which have done so well this year, suddenly disappear overnight, and new plants start emerging from their winter slumbers. We have Euphorbias in the Hot Border complemented by the Ballerina tulips, while the Spring Border is really blooming just now with Aquilegia vulgaris, many self-seeded, alongside Solomon’s Seal and Astrantia ‘Claret’. Centaurea montana is the loveliest deep blue colour and is great for providing early nectar to bees and butterflies. 

In May, the special plants to look out for in the gardens are the Wisteria draped around the Queens House and Head Gardener’s Cottage, and the Lily of the Valley just beneath, which smells divine. (We have had some Lily of the Valley plants for sale from the garden plant stand this year, so do try to grab one!) But pride of place goes to the peonies; some are already flowering in the Tapestry Garden, and the Peony Bed is in full bud, ready to delight us all over the next few weeks. 

Do try to visit to see these wonderful flowers in full bloom, they are stunning. There may still be a few places left on our Before the Doors Open: May Garden Tour, which takes place on 20th May at 9am. You will definitely see these lovely plants and be able to appreciate them before the visitors arrive. Tickets are available on our website! 

We hope to see you in the garden soon, and enjoy your gardening this month!