• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Ideas-for-Late-May-Color-THUMB.jpg

Ideas for Late May Color

My daughter is getting married in late May when my garden seems to have the least amount of color. The spring bulbs have finished blooming, but frost is always possible so I usually do not have the annuals in the ground at that time. I think pansies would work. Any other ideas?

Use pansies to fill in around your bulbs. Then jump start your annual flower and vegetable gardens to get an earlier display. Prepare the areas for planting as soon as possible. Cover with clear plastic for several weeks to warm the soil. Lightly cultivate to remove any sprouted weeds without bringing more weed seeds to the surface. Plant your annuals and vegetables in the warmed soil and cover with ReeMay, Harvest Guard or another season extending fabric. These fabrics let air, light and water through while trapping the heat around the plants to keep them warm. The extra effort can give you a more colorful garden for the wedding. Or check with your local garden center or greenhouse. Many are growing larger plants covered with flowers for a quicker garden display. They may have plants ready by mid May for earlier planting. Be sure to have the season extending fabrics handy in case of a late May frost.

Related

Upcoming
Events & Webinars

Mar. 18, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Patio, Deck and Balcony Gardens

Register here

March 21 & 28, 2026
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
More information

March 24, 2026
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater
Community Program

Racine, WI
More information

March 26, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Getting Started Growing Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here

April 1, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Growing a Bountiful Harvest 
Register here

April 9, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

April 11, 2026
A Day in the Garden
Fond du Lac, WI
Register here

April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here

April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information

April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL

April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space

Register here

May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI

May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here

May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here

June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind

Register here

Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Tree Planting and Care
Register here

Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here

Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Sign up for Melinda's free  e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!

ENTER NOW