Can I Still Plant Perennials This Late in May?

You’ve been watching your neighbours plant for weeks. The garden centres are buzzing. Instagram is all full bloom, no bare soil. And you’re wondering:

Is it too late to plant now?
Let’s bust that myth wide open: Nope. Not even close.

Late May is still a fantastic time to plant perennials—and in some cases, even better than early spring. So if your cart is still empty and your beds are still bare, don’t stress. You’re right on time.

🗓️ Why May (Even Late May) Is Still Great for Planting

• 🌞 Soil is warm – Roots establish faster in warm soil than in cold spring muck.

• 🌦️ Weather is stable – You’re past most frost risk, and new plants won’t face freeze-thaw swings.

• 💦 Moisture is still manageable – Unlike mid-summer, you’re not watering daily just to keep plants alive.

• 🛒 Garden centres are stocked – You can see what’s blooming and make better choices for design and colour.

💡 Perennials That Settle In Well Now

Plenty of perennials handle late May planting beautifully—especially those that love sun, warmth, and getting a good root system going before summer. Here are a few garden stars to plant now and enjoy for years:

💛 Echinacea ‘Sunny Days Lemon’

Bold blooms that love the sun and settle quickly. Just water well for the first few weeks and enjoy a flush of flowers by midsummer.

💜 Salvia ‘Violet Riot’

Heat- and drought-tolerant once established. Plant now, trim after bloom, and you’ll likely get a second flush later in the season.

🧡 Helenium ‘Mariachi Sombrero’

Great for pollinators and adds colour to late summer. Plant in May and it’ll still put on a show this year.

🤍 Achillea ‘Peter Cottontail’

Bunny-soft, whimsical blooms with strong staying power. This one’s a joy in fresh arrangements and needs minimal care after planting.

💙 Amsonia ‘Storm Cloud’

If you can still catch it in bloom, lucky you—but even without flowers, its foliage alone makes it worth planting now.

🛠️ Quick Tips for Successful Late May Planting

• Water deeply at planting and monitor for the first 2–3 weeks.

• Plant in the morning or on a cloudy day to avoid heat stress.

• Mulch lightly to retain moisture, but don’t smother the crown.

• Skip the fertilizer for now—focus on root growth, not top growth.

• Watch the weather. A hot spell may mean extra waterings until roots settle.

❄️ Bonus Myth: “If I Miss May, I Have to Wait Until Fall”

False again! While spring and fall are traditional planting seasons, you can plant perennials all summer long—as long as you water consistently and choose the right plants. The key is care, not the calendar.

Final Thoughts: Plant Now, Enjoy Sooner

The garden doesn’t keep a strict schedule, and neither should you. Life gets busy. Weeks slip by. But May isn’t a deadline—it’s an open door.

So go ahead. Grab a few perennials, dig a few holes, and plant with confidence. You’re not late. You’re right on time.