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Plant guides · Month by month

May in the garden.

What to sow and plant in May, then what is in flower and what is in fruit among the plants in our guides. The picks are the app's own monthly planting guide, which matches them to your hardiness zone.

Northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere picks are further down the page.

What to plant in May

  • Cucumber Cucumis sativus · vegetable · start indoors · zones 1 to 9

    Cucumbers sulk in cold compost, so keep them warm from sowing until they go out. Sow two seeds per pot and pull the weaker one rather than trying to separate the roots.

  • Borage Borago officinalis · herb · sow direct · zones 3 to 10

    Sow it once and you will have it forever, which is no bad thing when the bees are this keen. The blue star flowers are edible and look lovely frozen into ice cubes.

  • Maize Zea mays · vegetable · sow direct · zones 4 to 11

    Always plant sweetcorn in a block rather than a long row, because it is pollinated by wind. A single row gives you gappy cobs no matter how well you feed it.

  • Common Bean Phaseolus vulgaris · vegetable · sow direct · zones 5 to 11

    Wait until the soil is properly warm, because cold wet ground rots the seed. Pick every couple of days once they start, and the plants keep producing for weeks.

  • Pot Marigold Calendula officinalis · flower · sow direct · zones 1 to 10

    Tough, cheerful and happy in poor soil, calendula will self seed politely around the garden. Deadhead it regularly and it flowers until the frosts stop it.

  • Elder Sambucus nigra · shrub · plant out · zones 3 to 9

    Grows almost anywhere and gives you flowers in early summer and berries in autumn. Cut it hard every few years to keep it in bounds and the new growth comes back stronger.

  • Radish Raphanus sativus · vegetable · sow direct · zones 1 to 10

    The quickest crop in the garden, ready in as little as four weeks. Sow thinly and keep the soil damp, because a dry check is what makes them woody and fierce.

  • Malabar spinach Basella alba · climber · sow direct · zones 9 to 13

    A thick leaved climber that thrives in heat and humidity that would flatten real spinach. Give it a trellis and pick the shoot tips to keep it branching.

  • Cassava Manihot esculenta · vegetable · sow direct · zones 10 to 13

    Push a woody stem cutting into a mound at a slight angle and it roots within weeks. It tolerates poor soil and drought, but it needs a full year before you lift it.

  • Avocado Persea americana · tree · plant out · zones 9 to 13

    Plant a grafted tree on a raised mound, because avocado roots rot in wet ground faster than almost anything. Mulch thickly but keep the mulch off the trunk.

  • Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus · herb · plant out · zones 6 to 11

    Rosemary wants sun, grit and very little kindness. Plant it in the poorest well drained spot you have and it will outlive most things in the border.

  • Bigleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla · shrub · plant out · zones 5 to 9

    Plant it in soil that holds moisture and give it shade from the hottest sun. Soil acidity decides the color, so blue flowers need acid ground and pink needs lime.

  • Regal Lily Lilium regale · bulb · plant bulbs · zones 3 to 9

    Plant the bulbs three times their own depth in soil that drains freely. The scent from a group of these on a still evening is worth the space on its own.

  • Japanese Maple Acer palmatum · tree · plant out · zones 5 to 9

    Give it shelter from wind and from hot afternoon sun, because the fine leaves scorch easily. A large pot suits it well and lets you move it to the right spot.

  • Bee Balm Monarda didyma · flower · plant out · zones 3 to 9

    Shaggy red flowers that bees and hummingbirds work over all summer. Give it room and air movement, because crowded plants pick up mildew on the lower leaves.

  • Orach Atriplex hortensis · vegetable · sow direct · zones 2 to 9

    An old leafy green that stands heat far better than spinach and comes in deep red as well as green. Pinch out the flowering tips to keep the leaves coming.

  • Coconut Palm Cocos nucifera · tree · plant out · zones 10 to 13

    Lay the nut on its side and bury it only halfway, so the top stays clear. It needs sandy soil, salt tolerance is a bonus, and roughly six years before the first harvest.

  • Vanilla orchid Vanilla planifolia · climber · plant out · zones 10 to 13

    An orchid that climbs, so give it a rough barked host tree and dappled shade. Every flower has to be hand pollinated on the morning it opens, which is the real work.

  • Flowering Tobacco Nicotiana alata · flower · start indoors · zones 1 to 9

    Surface sow the dust fine seed and do not cover it. The scent only really arrives at dusk, so plant it beside a seat or an open window.

  • Cornflower Centaurea cyanus · flower · sow direct · zones 1 to 9

    Sow direct into ordinary soil and thin ruthlessly, because crowded plants flop. Keep cutting the flowers and it carries on for months rather than weeks.

  • Sea Holly Eryngium planum · flower · sow direct · zones 1 to 8

    Steely blue cones on wiry stems that dry beautifully for winter arrangements. It has a deep taproot, so sow it in place and never try to move it.

  • Switchgrass Panicum virgatum · grass · plant out · zones 2 to 9

    A prairie grass that stands up all winter and turns gold in autumn. Cut it to the ground once at the very end of winter and it does the rest itself.

  • Snake Gourd Trichosanthes cucumerina · vegetable · sow direct · zones 10 to 13

    Grow it over a high frame so the long fruit hangs straight rather than curling on the ground. It handles heavy rain and humidity better than most gourds.

  • Frangipani Plumeria rubra · shrub · plant out · zones 9 to 12

    Let a cutting dry for a week before planting, or the cut end rots. It wants full sun, sharp drainage and almost no water while it is leafless.

In flower in May

  • Acerola Malpighia emarginata

    Spring to fall · pink, white

  • African violet Saintpaulia ionantha

    Spring to autumn · purple, violet, blue

  • African Violet Streptocarpus ionanthus

    Year round with proper care · purple, violet, white, pink

  • Albany pitcher plant Cephalotus follicularis

    Mid to late spring · white, cream

  • American cancer-root Conopholis americana

    Mid to late spring · cream, yellow, brown

  • American holly Ilex opaca

    Late spring · white, greenish white

  • American hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana

    Mid to late spring · green, brown

  • American hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana

    Mid to late spring · green, yellow

  • Annual bluegrass Poa annua

    Early spring to late autumn · green, white

  • Antelope horns Asclepias asperula

    Mid to late spring · green, maroon

  • Anthurium Anthurium andraeanum

    Year round under ideal conditions · red, pink, white, salmon

  • Azure bluet Houstonia caerulea

    Early to late spring · blue, white, lavender

  • Bangalow palm Archontophoenix cunninghamiana

    Mid to late spring · lavender, pink

  • Beach naupaka Scaevola taccada

    Year round in tropical climates · white

  • Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

    Mid to late spring · white, pink

  • Beggarticks Bidens alba

    Year round in warm climates · white, yellow

  • Begonia

    Spring to autumn · pink, red, white, yellow

  • Black tupelo Nyssa sylvatica

    Late spring · green, white

  • Black Walnut Juglans nigra

    Mid to late spring · green, yellow

  • Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta

    Mid to late spring · blue, violet

  • Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum

    Mid to late spring · white, pink

  • Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata

    Mid to late spring · white, pink

  • Bottlebrush Callistemon

    Late spring to summer · red, pink, white

  • Bougainvillea

    Spring to autumn · pink, purple, red, white, orange, yellow

  • Bougainvillea Bougainvillea glabra

    Spring to autumn · pink, purple, white

  • Bugleweed Ajuga reptans

    Mid to late spring · blue, purple, white

  • bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa

    Mid to late spring · yellow green

  • Burning bush Euonymus alatus

    Late spring · yellow, green

  • Cactus

    Mid to late spring · yellow, pink, white, red

  • California poppy Eschscholzia californica

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow, orange, red

  • Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Canadian lousewort Pedicularis canadensis

    Mid to late spring · yellow, red

  • Cannonball tree Couroupita guianensis

    Year round in tropical climates · pink, red, yellow

  • Cape sundew Drosera capensis

    Spring to summer · pink, white

  • Carolina cranesbill Geranium carolinianum

    Mid to late spring · pink, white

  • Chenille plant Acalypha hispida

    Spring to autumn · red

  • Cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus

    Mid to late spring · white, cream

  • Chinese hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, orange, yellow, white

  • Chinese holly Ilex cornuta

    Mid to late spring · white, cream

  • Chinese wisteria Wisteria sinensis

    Mid to late spring · purple, lavender, blue

  • Chinese Wisteria Wisteria

    Mid to late spring · purple, blue, white, pink

  • Chocolate vine Akebia quinata

    Mid to late spring · purple, maroon

  • Coastal she oak Casuarina equisetifolia

    Spring to summer · brown, red

  • Columbine Aquilegia

    Mid to late spring · blue, purple, red, yellow, white, pink

  • Common Chickweed Stellaria media

    Early spring to late autumn · white

  • Common Daisy Bellis perennis

    Early spring to mid summer · white, pink, red

  • Common dog violet Viola riviniana

    Mid spring to early summer · violet, blue

  • Common Fumitory Fumaria officinalis

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, purple, white

  • Common groundsel Senecio vulgaris

    Year round in mild climates · yellow

  • Common Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Common sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus

    Spring to autumn · yellow

  • Common stock Matthiola incana

    Late spring to early summer · white, pink, purple, lavender, red

  • Common storksbill Erodium cicutarium

    Early spring to late summer · pink, lavender

  • Cork oak Quercus suber

    Mid to late spring · yellowish green

  • Corn Salad Valerianella locusta

    Mid to late spring · white, pale blue

  • corn speedwell Veronica arvensis

    Mid spring to early summer · blue, violet

  • Cowslip Primula veris

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Creeping Oxalis Oxalis corniculata

    Spring to autumn · yellow

  • Creeping Spurge Euphorbia serpens

    Spring to fall · white, pink

  • Crown Imperial Fritillaria imperialis

    Mid to late spring · orange, red, yellow

  • Crown of Thorns Euphorbia milii

    Year round in warm climates · red, pink, yellow, white

  • Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis

    Mid to late spring · white, pale pink, lilac

  • cut-leaved crane's-bill Geranium dissectum

    Late spring to mid summer · pink, purple

  • Dakota mock vervain Glandularia bipinnatifida

    Spring to fall · purple, lavender, pink

  • Dandelion Taraxacum officinale

    Early spring to late autumn · yellow

  • Desert Rose Adenium obesum

    Spring to summer · pink, red, white

  • Devil's apple Solanum linnaeanum

    Spring to autumn · purple, violet

  • Distant phacelia Phacelia distans

    Early to late spring · blue, lavender, white

  • Doronicum Doronicum orientale

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii

    Mid to late spring · yellow, red

  • Dovefoot cranesbill Geranium molle

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, purple

  • Downy birch Betula pubescens

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • Drumstick tree Moringa oleifera

    Spring to early summer · white, cream

  • Dwarf Alberta Spruce Alberta Spruce

    Mid to late spring · brown, purple

  • Eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis

    Mid spring · yellow, green

  • Eastern red columbine Aquilegia canadensis

    Mid to late spring · red, yellow

  • Eastern white pine Pinus strobus

    Late spring · yellow

  • Engelmann's hedgehog cactus Echinocereus engelmannii

    Mid to late spring · magenta, pink, purple

  • English oak Quercus robur

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • European Beech Fagus sylvatica

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • European columbine Aquilegia vulgaris

    Late spring to early summer · purple, blue, pink, white

  • European crabapple Malus sylvestris

    Mid to late spring · white, pink

  • False heather Cuphea hyssopifolia

    Spring to fall · purple, pink, white

  • Field Maple Acer campestre

    Mid to late spring · greenish yellow

  • Field pansy Viola arvensis

    Early spring to late autumn · white, yellow, pale violet

  • field woodrush Luzula campestris

    Mid to late spring · brown, tan

  • Firecracker flower Crossandra infundibuliformis

    Spring to fall · orange, apricot, coral

  • Firecracker plant Russelia equisetiformis

    Spring to fall · red, coral

  • Fish poison tree Barringtonia asiatica

    Year round with peaks in spring and summer · white, pink

  • Flame tree Delonix regia

    Late spring to early summer · red, orange

  • Flowering Crabapple Malus × domestica

    Mid to late spring · white, pink

  • Flowering dogwood Cornus florida

    Mid to late spring · white, pink, red

  • Flowering Maple Abutilon × hybridum

    Spring to late autumn · red, orange, yellow, pink, white

  • Forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica

    Mid to late spring · blue, pink, white

  • French lavender Lavandula stoechas

    Early to mid spring · purple, pink, white

  • Garden star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum

    Mid to late spring · white, green

  • Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Geiger tree Cordia

    Spring to summer · white, orange, red

  • Geranium Pelargonium

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, white, purple

  • Geranium Pelargonium x hortorum

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, white, salmon, purple

  • Geranium Pelargonium zonale

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, white, salmon

  • Giant sequoia Sequoiadendron giganteum

    Late spring · yellow

  • Giant spider lily Crinum asiaticum

    Spring to summer · white

  • Golden trumpet Allamanda cathartica

    Spring to fall · yellow

  • Gorse Ulex europaeus

    Early spring to mid summer · yellow

  • Greater celandine Chelidonium majus

    Mid spring to late summer · yellow

  • Greater stitchwort Rabelera holostea

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Greater wood-rush Luzula sylvatica

    Mid to late spring · brown, tan

  • Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica

    Mid spring · green, purple

  • Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea

    Mid to late spring · blue, violet

  • henbit Lamium amplexicaule

    Early spring to late autumn · pink, purple

  • Herb Robert Geranium robertianum

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, magenta

  • Holly Ilex

    Late spring · white, cream

  • Hornbeam Carpinus betulus

    Mid to late spring · greenish yellow

  • Horned Violet Viola cornuta

    Early spring to early summer · purple, blue, yellow, white

  • Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum

    Mid to late spring · white, yellow, red

  • Iceland Poppy Papaver nudicaule

    Late spring to late summer · yellow, orange, white, pink, red

  • Italian arum Arum italicum

    Late spring · green, yellow

  • Ivy-leaved geranium Pelargonium peltatum

    Spring to autumn · pink, red, white, lavender

  • Ivy-leaved toadflax Cymbalaria muralis

    Late spring to early autumn · lilac, purple, white

  • Jabuticaba Plinia cauliflora

    Spring to summer · white

  • Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia

    Late spring to early summer · purple, blue

  • Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum

    Mid to late spring · green, brown, purple

  • Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus

    Spring to early summer · yellowish green

  • Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergii

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Japanese kerria Kerria japonica

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Japanese Maple Acer palmatum

    Mid to late spring · red, purple, yellow

  • Japanese silverberry Elaeagnus umbellata

    Mid to late spring · creamy white, yellow

  • Japanese skimmia Skimmia japonica

    Mid to late spring · white, creamy

  • Japanese wisteria Wisteria floribunda

    Mid to late spring · purple, blue, white, pink

  • Jasmine Jasminum sambac

    Spring to autumn · white

  • Jatropha

    Spring to fall · red, pink

  • Judas tree Cercis siliquastrum

    Mid to late spring · pink, magenta, purple

  • Jungle Geranium Ixora

    Spring to late summer · red, orange, yellow, pink

  • Jungle Geranium Ixora coccinea

    Year round in warm climates · red, orange, yellow

  • Key lime Citrus aurantiifolia

    Spring to summer · white

  • kidneyleaf buttercup Ranunculus abortivus

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Land Cress Barbarea verna

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Lilac Syringa vulgaris

    Mid to late spring · purple, white, pink, lavender

  • Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Littleleaf boxwood Buxus microphylla

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • London planetree Platanus × acerifolia

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • Lords and Ladies Arum maculatum

    Mid to late spring · green, purple

  • lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica

    Mid to late spring · pink, white

  • Lyreleaf sage Salvia lyrata

    Mid to late spring · blue, violet, white

  • many-flowered wood-rush Luzula multiflora

    Mid to late spring · brown, tan

  • Marsh violet Viola palustris

    Mid to late spring · pale violet, white

  • Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Mexican orange blossom Choisya ternata

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Mexican snowball Echeveria elegans

    Late winter to spring · pink, yellow

  • Mulberry Morus

    Mid to late spring · green, white

  • Muscadine grape Vitis rotundifolia

    Late spring · green

  • Natal Plum Carissa macrocarpa

    Spring to autumn · white

  • North American pitcher plant Sarracenia

    Mid to late spring · yellow, red, purple

  • Northern red oak Quercus rubra

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • Norway maple Acer platanoides

    Early to mid spring · yellow, green

  • Norway spruce Picea abies

    Mid to late spring · red, yellow

  • Oak Quercus

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • Orange Jessamine Murraya paniculata

    Intermittent throughout the year · white

  • Ornamental Onion Allium

    Late spring to early summer · purple, pink, white, yellow

  • Pacific madrone Arbutus menziesii

    Mid to late spring · white, creamy

  • Pak Choi Brassica rapa

    Late spring to early summer · yellow

  • Papaya Carica papaya

    Year round in tropical climates · white, yellow

  • Paper birch Betula papyrifera

    Mid to late spring · yellow, brown

  • Paper mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera

    Late spring · green, yellow

  • Passion Fruit Passiflora edulis

    Mid spring to early autumn · white, purple

  • Pawpaw Asimina triloba

    Mid to late spring · maroon, purple

  • Peace Lily Spathiphyllum wallisii

    Spring to early summer · white

  • Pencil flower Acalypha sp.

    Spring to autumn · red, pink, white

  • Persian buttercup Ranunculus asiaticus

    Mid to late spring · red, orange, yellow, pink, white

  • Persian speedwell Veronica persica

    Early spring to late autumn · bright blue, white

  • Petty spurge Euphorbia peplus

    Spring to early autumn · yellow-green

  • Pin oak Quercus palustris

    Mid to late spring · yellowish, green

  • Pincushion Protea Leucospermum cordifolium

    Late winter to mid summer · orange, red, yellow

  • Pink evening primrose Oenothera speciosa

    Late spring to mid summer · white, pink

  • Polka dot begonia Begonia maculata

    Spring to fall · white, pink

  • Ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa

    Late spring · yellow, red

  • Pot Marigold Calendula officinalis

    Early spring to first frost · orange, yellow

  • Princess tree Paulownia tomentosa

    Mid to late spring · lavender, violet

  • Purple deadnettle Lamium purpureum

    Early spring to late autumn · purple, pink

  • Purple Heart Tradescantia pallida

    Spring to fall · pink

  • Purple pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea

    Mid to late spring · maroon, red

  • Purple Shamrock Oxalis triangularis

    Spring to autumn · white, light pink

  • Quince Cydonia oblonga

    Mid to late spring · white, pale pink

  • Radiator plant Peperomia obtusifolia 'Variegata'

    Sporadically throughout the year · white, green, yellow

  • Ramsons Allium ursinum

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Red campion Silene dioica

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, magenta

  • Red trillium Trillium erectum

    Mid to late spring · maroon, dark red

  • Rhododendron

    Mid spring to early summer · pink, purple, white, red, yellow

  • Rocket Eruca vesicaria

    Late spring to early summer · white, yellow

  • Rocket larkspur Consolida ajacis

    Late spring to mid summer · blue, purple, pink, white

  • Rose Rosa

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, red, white, yellow, orange, purple

  • Sausage tree Kigelia africana

    Late spring to early summer · maroon, red

  • Scarlet gilia Ipomopsis aggregata

    Mid spring to late summer · red, pink, white

  • Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris

    Late spring · yellow, brown

  • Sea almond Terminalia catappa

    Spring to early summer · white, greenish-white

  • Sea hibiscus Talipariti tiliaceum

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, red

  • Sea purslane Sesuvium portulacastrum

    Spring to fall · pink, purple

  • Sea Thrift Armeria maritima

    Late spring to early summer · pink, white, rose

  • Shepherd's purse Capsella bursa-pastoris

    Early spring to late autumn · white

  • Shrimp plant Justicia brandegeeana

    Spring to autumn · white, red, yellow

  • Siberian Larch Larix sibirica

    Early to mid spring · red, yellow

  • Siberian Pea Shrub Caragana arborescens

    Late spring · yellow

  • Silver Birch Betula pendula

    Mid to late spring · green, yellow

  • Singapore graveyard flower Plumeria obtusa

    Spring to fall · white, yellow

  • Slender deutzia Deutzia gracilis

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Snakes head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris

    Mid to late spring · purple, white, checkered

  • Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus

    Late spring to early autumn · red, pink, yellow, white, orange, purple

  • Snow pea Pisum sativum var. saccharatum

    Late spring to early summer · white, purple

  • Sodom Apple Calotropis procera

    Year round in warm climates · white, purple

  • Spanish Shawl Heterocentron elegans

    Spring to fall · pink, magenta

  • Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum var. variegatum

    Spring to summer · white

  • Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum

    Spring to summer · white

  • spiny sowthistle Sonchus asper

    Spring to autumn · yellow

  • Spotted dead-nettle Lamium maculatum

    Mid to late spring · pink, purple, white

  • Sticky monkeyflower Diplacus aurantiacus

    Spring to late summer · orange, apricot, red, yellow

  • Straggler daisy Calyptocarpus vialis

    Spring to fall · yellow

  • Strawberry Fragaria × ananassa

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Striped maple Acer pensylvanicum

    Late spring · yellow

  • Sugarbush Protea

    Late winter to early summer · pink, white, red, cream

  • Sun spurge Euphorbia helioscopia

    Late winter to mid summer · yellow, greenish yellow

  • Sweet Cherry Prunus avium

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Sweet Pea Lathyrus odoratus

    Late spring to early summer · pink, purple, white, red, blue

  • Sweet William Dianthus barbatus

    Late spring to early summer · pink, red, white, purple

  • Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua

    Mid to late spring · green, yellow

  • Sycamore Maple Acer pseudoplatanus

    Mid to late spring · yellowish green

  • Tamarind Tamarindus indica

    Late spring to early summer · yellow, red

  • Texas bluebonnet Lupinus texensis

    Mid to late spring · blue, white

  • thyme-leaved sandwort Arenaria serpyllifolia

    Late spring to mid summer · white

  • thymeleaf speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia

    Mid to late spring · white, pale blue

  • Torch Ginger Etlingera elatior

    Spring to late summer · red, pink

  • Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis

    Spring to first frost · lavender, purple

  • Trumpet tree Cecropia peltata

    Year round · green, white

  • Tulip Tulipa gesneriana

    Mid to late spring · red, yellow, pink, white, purple, orange

  • Turk's cap Malvaviscus arboreus

    Year round in warm climates · red

  • Turkey berry Solanum torvum

    Year round in tropical climates · white

  • Viburnum

    Mid to late spring · white, cream

  • Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum

    Spring to early summer · white

  • Virginia strawberry Fragaria virginiana

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Waratah Telopea speciosissima

    Mid to late spring · red

  • Wavy bittercress Cardamine flexuosa

    Early spring to mid summer · white

  • Wax Begonia Begonia cucullata

    Spring to autumn · pink, white, red

  • Wax Begonia Begonia semperflorens

    Spring to autumn · white, pink, red

  • Western blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium bellum

    Mid to late spring · blue, violet

  • Western columbine Aquilegia formosa

    Late spring to mid summer · red, yellow

  • Western wallflower Erysimum capitatum

    Mid to late spring · orange, yellow, red, purple

  • White Ash Fraxinus americana

    Mid to late spring · green, purple

  • White dead-nettle Lamium album

    Mid spring to early autumn · white

  • White Oak Quercus alba

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • White Spruce Picea glauca

    Late spring · red, yellow

  • White Trillium Trillium grandiflorum

    Mid to late spring · white, pink

  • White-topped pitcher plant Sarracenia leucophylla

    Mid to late spring · maroon, red

  • Wild Blue Phlox Phlox divaricata

    Mid to late spring · blue, lavender, violet

  • Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum

    Mid to late spring · pink, lavender, white

  • Wild sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis

    Late spring · greenish white

  • Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Wood sorrel Oxalis

    Spring to early summer · white, pink, yellow

  • Wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella

    Mid to late spring · white, pink

  • Woolly Stemodia Stemodia lanata

    Spring to late summer · purple, blue

  • Yaupon holly Ilex vomitoria

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Yellow Archangel Lamium galeobdolon

    Mid to late spring · yellow

  • Yellow Bells Tecoma stans

    Spring to fall · yellow

  • Yellow birch Betula alleghaniensis

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • Abelia

    Late spring to mid autumn · white, pinkish-white

  • Abelia Abelia uniflora

    Late spring to early summer · white, pink

  • Acai palm Euterpe oleracea

    Year round in tropical climates · white, cream

  • Aeonium

    Late winter to spring · yellow, white

  • African oil palm Elaeis guineensis

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, cream

  • Aloe Vera Aloe vera

    Late winter to spring · yellow, orange

  • American beech Fagus grandifolia

    Mid to late spring · yellowish green

  • American persimmon Diospyros virginiana

    Late spring to early summer · creamy white, pale yellow

  • American white waterlily Nymphaea odorata

    Late spring to early autumn · white, pink

  • Amur honeysuckle Lonicera maackii

    Late spring to early summer · white, yellow

  • Anemone clematis Clematis montana

    Late spring to early summer · white, pink

  • Autumn sage Salvia greggii

    Late spring to first frost · red, pink, white, purple, coral

  • Avocado Persea americana

    Early to mid spring · yellowish green

  • Baby sage Salvia microphylla

    Late spring through fall · red, pink, magenta

  • Banana Musa × paradisiaca

    Year round in tropical climates · purple, yellow

  • Barren strawberry Potentilla sterilis

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Bat-faced cuphea Cuphea llavea

    Late spring to first frost · red, purple

  • Bear Paw Dactylopsis digitata

    Late winter to early spring · white, pale yellow

  • Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon

    Late spring to early autumn · purple, green

  • Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus

    Late spring · pinkish green

  • Bitter sneezeweed Helenium amarum

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow

  • Black cherry Prunus serotina

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Black eyed susan vine Thunbergia alata

    Late spring to autumn · orange, yellow, white

  • Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • black raspberry Rubus occidentalis

    Late spring · white

  • Blue daze Evolvulus glomeratus

    Late spring to early autumn · blue

  • Breadfruit Artocarpus altilis

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, green

  • Brittlebush Encelia farinosa

    Late winter to spring · yellow

  • Buddha's hand Citrus medica

    Spring to early summer · white, purple-tinged

  • Busy Lizzie Impatiens

    Late spring to first frost · pink, red, white, purple, orange

  • Busy Lizzie Impatiens walleriana

    Late spring to first frost · pink, red, white, purple, orange

  • Cacao Theobroma cacao

    Year round in optimal conditions · white, pink

  • California buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum

    Late spring to early autumn · white, pale pink

  • Canada mayflower Maianthemum canadense

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Cape marguerite Dimorphotheca ecklonis

    Late spring to early autumn · white, purple, blue

  • Caper bush Capparis spinosa

    Late spring to early autumn · white, pink

  • Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, white, red, yellow, purple, bicolor

  • Cashew Anacardium occidentale

    Late winter to spring · pink, yellow

  • Ceylon spinach Talinum fruticosum

    Late spring to early autumn · pink

  • China pink Dianthus chinensis

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, red, white, purple

  • Chokecherry Prunus virginiana

    Mid to late spring · white

  • Clematis

    Late spring to early autumn · purple, pink, white, blue, red

  • Clover Trifolium repens

    Late spring to early autumn · white

  • Coast Banksia Banksia integrifolia

    Throughout the year, peaking in autumn and winter. · pale yellow

  • Cobra lily Darlingtonia californica

    Late spring to early summer · purple, green

  • Coconut Palm Cocos nucifera

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, cream

  • Coffee plant Coffea

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Common buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica

    Late spring to early summer · greenish yellow

  • Common dogwood Cornus sanguinea

    Late spring to early summer · white, cream

  • Common greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia

    Late spring to early summer · greenish, yellow

  • Common hackberry Celtis occidentalis

    Mid to late spring · green, yellow

  • Common mallow Malva sylvestris

    Late spring to early autumn · purple, pink

  • Common Mallow Malva neglecta

    Late spring to early autumn · white, pale pink

  • Common Purslane Portulaca oleracea

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow

  • Coral vine Antigonon leptopus

    Late spring to first frost · pink, white

  • Cornflower Centaurea cyanus

    Late spring to mid summer · blue, pink, white, purple

  • Cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Creosote bush Larrea tridentata

    Spring to early summer · yellow

  • Crimson Clover Trifolium incarnatum

    Late spring to early summer · crimson, red

  • Crowpoison Nothoscordum bivalve

    Early spring to early summer · white, yellow

  • Cupuacu Theobroma grandiflorum

    Mainly in the dry season (about July to December in the native range) · dark red, maroon

  • Daffodil Narcissus

    Early to mid spring · yellow, white, orange, pink

  • Delosperma

    Late spring to early fall · pink, purple, yellow, orange, white

  • Dragon arum Dracunculus vulgaris

    Late spring to early summer · purple, maroon, black

  • Dragon Fruit Selenicereus undatus

    Late spring to early autumn · white, yellow

  • Dutchman's pipe Isotrema macrophyllum

    Late spring to early summer · brown, yellow, purple

  • Dwarf banana Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'

    Year round in tropical climates · purple, yellow

  • Dwarf Birch Betula nana

    Late spring · brown, yellow

  • Egyptian blue water lily Nymphaea nouchali

    Late spring to early autumn · blue, violet, white

  • Emerald Ripple Peperomia Peperomia caperata

    Spring to summer · white, cream

  • English walnut Juglans regia

    Mid to late spring · green, yellow

  • Fairy Fan-flower Scaevola aemula

    Late spring to early autumn · blue, purple, white

  • Feathery false lily of the valley Maianthemum racemosum

    Late spring to early summer · white, cream

  • Field forget-me-not Myosotis arvensis

    Late spring to early autumn · blue

  • Flamingo Flower Anthurium

    Year round under ideal conditions · red, pink, white, green

  • Foxtail lily Eremurus robustus

    Late spring to early summer · pink, white

  • Frangipani Plumeria

    Late spring to early autumn · white, yellow, pink, red

  • Frangipani Plumeria rubra

    Late spring to early autumn · white, yellow, pink, red

  • Fuchsia

    Late spring to mid autumn · pink, purple, white, red

  • Fukien Tea Carmona retusa

    Intermittent throughout the year · white

  • Garden asparagus Asparagus officinalis

    Late spring to early summer · yellow-green

  • Garden Petunia Petunia hybrida

    Late spring to first frost · purple, pink, white, red, yellow, blue

  • Gazania Gazania rigens

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow, orange, bronze, red, white

  • Geranium

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, purple, white, blue

  • germander speedwell Veronica chamaedrys

    Late spring to early summer · blue, white

  • Goosegrass Eleusine indica

    Mid spring to late autumn · green

  • Grape Vitis vinifera

    Late spring · green, yellow

  • Grape Hyacinth Muscari armeniacum

    Mid to late spring · blue, purple

  • Guelder rose Viburnum opulus

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Guzmania Bromeliad Guzmania

    Late spring to early autumn · red, orange, yellow, pink

  • Hairy bittercress Cardamine hirsuta

    Early spring to late spring · white

  • hairy vetch Vicia villosa

    Late spring to early summer · purple, violet

  • Handkerchief tree Davidia involucrata

    Mid to late spring · white, green

  • Hare's tail cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Haworthia

    Spring to summer · white, green

  • Hedge mustard Sisymbrium officinale

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow

  • Honesty Lunaria annua

    Late spring to early summer · purple, white

  • Indian blanket Gaillardia pulchella

    Late spring to first frost · red, yellow, orange

  • Ivy-leaved speedwell Veronica hederifolia

    Early spring to late spring · blue, violet

  • Jade vine Strongylodon macrobotrys

    Late winter to spring · jade green, blue green

  • Japanese dandelion Taraxacum japonicum

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Japanese Mock Orange Pittosporum tobira

    Late spring to early summer · white, creamy yellow

  • Japanese zelkova Zelkova serrata

    Mid to late spring · green, yellow

  • Jewels of Opar Talinum paniculatum

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, magenta

  • Joshua tree Yucca brevifolia

    Late winter to spring · creamy-white, pale-yellow

  • Kangaroo paw Anigozanthos flavidus

    Late spring to mid autumn · yellow, green, red, orange

  • King protea Protea cynaroides

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, white, red

  • Lady's Mantle Alchemilla mollis

    Late spring to mid summer · chartreuse, yellow

  • Lady's slipper orchid Cypripedium calceolus

    Late spring to early summer · yellow, brown

  • Lantana Lantana camara

    Late spring to first frost · yellow, orange, red, pink, white

  • Large flowered tickseed Coreopsis grandiflora

    Late spring to late summer · yellow

  • Lesser celandine Ficaria verna

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Lipstick plant Aeschynanthus radicans

    Late spring to late summer · red, yellow

  • Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta

    Late spring to early summer · yellow, red

  • Mandevilla Mandevilla sanderi

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, red, white

  • Marigold Tagetes

    Late spring to first frost · yellow, orange, red, mahogany, bicolor

  • Marsh marigold Caltha palustris

    Early to mid spring · yellow

  • Meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis

    Late spring to early summer · green, yellow

  • Medlar Mespilus germanica

    Late spring · white

  • Mexican fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus

    Late spring to late autumn · white, pink

  • Mexican petunia Ruellia simplex

    Late spring to early fall · violet, blue, white, pink

  • Miracle berry Synsepalum dulcificum

    Sporadic throughout the year · white

  • Mock strawberry Potentilla indica

    Mid spring to early autumn · yellow

  • Monkey face orchid Dracula simia

    Year round · brown, orange, yellow

  • Moonstone Pachyphytum oviferum

    Late winter to spring · red, white

  • Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis

    Late winter to spring · white, pink, purple, yellow, striped

  • Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia

    Late spring to early summer · pink, white, rose

  • Mouse-ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum

    Late spring to mid summer · yellow

  • Night blooming jasmine Cestrum nocturnum

    Late spring to early autumn · white, greenish-yellow

  • Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius

    Late spring to early summer · white, pink

  • Nipa palm Nypa fruticans

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, brown

  • Northern starflower Lysimachia borealis

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens

    Spring to early summer · red

  • Paddle Plant Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne

    Late spring to early summer · green, yellow

  • periwinkle Vinca minor

    Early to mid spring · blue, violet, white

  • Peruvian Lily Alstroemeria

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, orange, yellow, red, white, purple

  • pineappleweed Matricaria discoidea

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow-green

  • Pink Afrikaner Gladiolus caryophyllaceus

    Late winter to mid spring · pink, white

  • Pink Lady's Slipper Cypripedium acaule

    Late spring to early summer · pink, white

  • Planta cebra Tradescantia zebrina

    Spring to summer · pink, purple

  • Poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans

    Late spring to early summer · white, green, yellow

  • Pontic rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum

    Late spring to early summer · purple, lilac

  • Portia tree Thespesia populnea

    Year round in tropical climates · yellow, maroon

  • prostrate knotweed Polygonum aviculare

    Late spring to early autumn · white, pink, green

  • Queen of the night Epiphyllum oxypetalum

    Late spring to early autumn · white

  • Rat's Tail Cactus Aporocactus flagelliformis

    Late winter to mid spring · pink, magenta

  • Red baneberry Actaea rubra

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Red mangrove Rhizophora mangle

    Throughout the year · pale yellow, white

  • Rhipsalis

    Late winter to spring · white, cream, yellow

  • Rock rose Cistus ladanifer

    Late spring to early summer · white, maroon

  • Rose of Jericho Anastatica hierochuntica

    Spring · white

  • Sacred Datura Datura wrightii

    Late spring to early autumn · white, lavender

  • Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis

    Early to mid spring · pink, magenta

  • Salvia

    Late spring to early autumn · blue, purple, red, pink, white

  • Sandalwood Santalum album

    Throughout the year · yellow, red, purple

  • Saxifrage Saxifraga

    Early to mid spring · white, pink, yellow, purple

  • Scarlet pimpernel Lysimachia arvensis

    Late spring to early autumn · orange, red, blue

  • Scentless Mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum

    Late spring to early autumn · white, yellow

  • Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius

    Late spring to early summer · yellow

  • Sea Lavender Limonium perezii

    Late spring to early autumn · purple, white

  • Sessile oak Quercus petraea

    Mid to late spring · yellow, green

  • Shiny bush Peperomia pellucida

    Year round in tropical conditions · white, green

  • Siberian tea Bergenia crassifolia

    Early to mid spring · pink, magenta

  • Silver tree Leucadendron argenteum

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Silver vase bromeliad Aechmea fasciata

    Late spring to early autumn · pink, blue

  • Silverberry Elaeagnus commutata

    Late spring to early summer · yellow

  • Soursop Annona muricata

    Throughout the year · yellow, green

  • Spindle Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus'

    Late spring to early summer · greenish white, yellow

  • Starfruit Averrhoa carambola

    Intermittent throughout the year · pink, lavender

  • Starry false lily of the valley Maianthemum stellatum

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Sticky mouse-ear chickweed Cerastium glomeratum

    Early to mid spring · white

  • String of Buttons Crassula perforata

    Late winter to spring · white, yellow

  • Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima

    Late spring to frost · white, purple, pink

  • Tamanu Calophyllum inophyllum

    Intermittent throughout the year · white

  • Thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana

    Early to mid spring · white

  • Thimble Cactus Mammillaria gracilis fragilis

    Late winter to mid spring · yellow, cream

  • Transvaal daisy Gerbera jamesonii

    Late spring to early autumn · red, orange, yellow, pink, white

  • Treasure flower Gazania linearis

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow, orange

  • Tree Aeonium Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'

    Late winter to early spring · yellow

  • Tropical Hibiscus Hibiscus

    Late spring to early autumn · red, pink, yellow, orange, white

  • Trumpet gentian Gentiana acaulis

    Late spring to early summer · intense blue

  • Tuberous Begonia Begonia boliviensis

    Late spring to early autumn · red, orange

  • Tulip Tulipa

    Early to late spring · red, yellow, pink, white, purple, orange

  • Turkey tangle fogfruit Phyla nodiflora

    Late spring to early autumn · white, pink, lavender

  • Underground orchid Rhizanthella gardneri

    May to July · cream, pink

  • Venus flytrap Dionaea muscipula

    Late spring to early summer · white

  • Vinca Catharanthus roseus

    Late spring to first frost · pink, white, lavender, red

  • Vriesea

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow, red, orange

  • Wandflower Gaura lindheimeri

    Late spring to early autumn · white, pink

  • Water hyacinth Pontederia crassipes

    Late spring to early autumn · lavender, blue, yellow

  • Weigela Weigela florida

    Late spring to early summer · pink, red, white

  • White campion Silene latifolia

    Late spring to early autumn · white

  • White mulberry Morus alba

    Mid to late spring · greenish white

  • Wild Jack Artocarpus hirsutus

    Late winter to early spring · yellowish green

  • Wild Rocket Diplotaxis tenuifolia

    Late spring to early autumn · yellow

  • Windmill Palm Trachycarpus fortunei

    Late spring to early summer · yellow

  • Zebra plant Haworthiopsis attenuata

    Spring to summer · white, green

In fruit in May

Your garden, your zone, this month.

Pocket Botanist knows your hardiness zone and hemisphere, so its monthly picks are the ones that will take where you are. It also names any plant from a photo and reminds you when each one needs water. Identification is free.

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May south of the equator

The same month, six months on in the seasons: what to plant in May in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the southern half of South America.

  • Watercress Nasturtium officinale · vegetable · start indoors · zones 1 to 11

    You do not need a stream. Stand a tray of seedlings in a centimeter of water on a cool bright sill and keep the water fresh, and you can pick peppery leaves all winter.

  • Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum · herb · start indoors · zones 1 to 11

    Sow it thickly in a shallow tray on a bright windowsill and cut the leaves at about ten centimeters. It regrows two or three times from the same sowing.

  • Barley Hordeum vulgare · grass · start indoors · zones 1 to 13

    A tray of barley grass on a windowsill gives you something green in the darkest weeks, and the cat will thank you. Soak the grain overnight and keep the tray damp.

  • Rugosa Rose Rosa rugosa · shrub · plant out · zones 2 to 9

    Bare root planting season, and this is the rose that asks for nothing. It shrugs off salt wind and poor sand, and the hips are as good as the flowers.

  • Broad Bean Vicia faba · vegetable · sow direct · zones 5 to 10

    Sown now the plants sit quietly through the cold and crop weeks before spring sowings. Choose a hardy variety and give them a sheltered spot out of the wind.

  • Crown Imperial Fritillaria imperialis · bulb · plant bulbs · zones 4 to 9

    Plant the big bulbs on their side so water cannot collect in the hollow crown. They smell distinctly foxy, which is exactly why mice and squirrels leave them alone.

  • Melon Cucumis melo · fruit · sow direct · zones 9 to 13

    Sow into warm free draining soil on a low mound and water at the base, never the leaves. Once the fruit starts to ripen, ease off the water and the flavor concentrates.

  • Watermelon Citrullus lanatus · fruit · sow direct · zones 10 to 13

    It needs heat, room and a long run, so give each plant several square meters. Slide a tile or board under each fruit to keep it clean and off damp soil.

  • Roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa · shrub · sow direct · zones 12 to 13

    The short days now mean only a small calyx crop, but in hot, frost-free gardens you can sow it for its tangy young leaves. Pick them often and cook them like spinach or add them to curries for a lemony bite.

  • Anemone clematis Clematis montana · climber · plant out · zones 5 to 9

    Plant it deeper than it sat in the pot, so buried buds can reshoot if the top ever fails. Keep the roots shaded and cool and let the top climb into the sun.

  • Grape Vitis vinifera · climber · plant out · zones 5 to 10

    Plant while fully dormant, and do any pruning now rather than later, because a vine cut in spring bleeds heavily. Give it the sunniest wall you have.

  • European Beech Fagus sylvatica · tree · plant out · zones 4 to 8

    Bare root hedging is cheapest and establishes best planted now. Clipped as a hedge it holds its copper leaves all winter, which no other hedge quite manages.

  • Field Maple Acer campestre · tree · plant out · zones 4 to 8

    A modest native tree that takes hard clipping and turns clear butter yellow in autumn. Plant it bare root now and it will need almost nothing from you afterwards.

  • Common Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna · tree · plant out · zones 3 to 8

    The classic stock proof hedge, thorny, tough and full of blossom and berries. Plant bare root whips now in a double staggered row for a dense hedge.

  • Sweet box Sarcococca confusa · shrub · plant out · zones 6 to 9

    Tiny white flowers in the coldest weeks with a scent out of all proportion to their size. It is happy in dry shade, which makes it useful where little else is.

  • Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium · shrub · plant out · zones 5 to 9

    Evergreen and prickly, with yellow flowers early and blue berries after. It copes with shade and dry soil under trees where most shrubs give up.

  • Lychee Litchi chinensis · tree · plant out · zones 10 to 12

    Plant an air layered tree rather than a seedling, because seedlings can take twenty years. It needs a cool dry spell to flower, so a frost free but chilly winter suits it.

  • Sorghum Sorghum bicolor · grass · sow direct · zones 9 to 13

    It survives heat and drought that would flatten maize, and it will regrow after cutting. Sow into warm soil and thin it, because crowded plants make thin heads.

  • Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum · tree · plant out · zones 10 to 13

    Grow it as a coppiced bush rather than a tree, cutting it low every couple of years. The bark is stripped from those young straight shoots.

  • Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis · flower · plant out · zones 2 to 8

    Plant the pips now, upright and just below the surface, in damp shade. Give it a couple of years to settle and it will spread into a scented carpet.

  • Dwarf Birch Betula nana · shrub · plant out · zones 1 to 6

    A knee high birch from the far north that copes with peat, bog and bitter cold. It turns a good russet in autumn and needs no attention at all.

  • Labrador Tea Rhododendron groenlandicum · shrub · plant out · zones 1 to 6

    An evergreen for acid boggy ground where drainage is genuinely poor. It handles extreme cold and the leaves smell wonderful when you brush past them.

  • Siberian Larch Larix sibirica · tree · plant out · zones 1 to 6

    A conifer that drops its needles, turning gold before it does. It grows where the ground is frozen for much of the year and asks for nothing in return.

Other months

The planting picks are written by the Pocket Botanist editors. The flowering and fruiting months come from AI-generated care guides checked against GBIF taxonomy, and are general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.