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The Sunday Gardener is an independent website packed full of gardening advice, tips, seasonal information and pages of practical gardening info. There are over 200 pages of gardening advice and if you need more information e-mail The Sunday Gardener for help.
Best Shrubs and Plants for May
Passifola caerulea
An easy to grow climbing plant is Passiflora, Passion flower. It has exotic looking blooms with pronounced stamens. Despite appearances it is H4 hardy and easy to grow.
Allium
No May garden is complete without Alliums in the border with their striking large blooms. Alliums are a bulb which return fairly reliably each year and have long lasting blooms with attractive seed heads.
Lovely May Shrub
Lovely scented Lilac, Syringa, is easy to grow on neutral soil in a sunny spot.
There are now a wonderful variety of Lilacs offered from sale ranging from large shrubs which are really small trees to compact and dwarf varieties to suit most gardens.
In the Kitchen Garden
There is still a risk of cold weather and even frost in May. This means only plant out hardy veg and delay planting out the more tender veg.
The gardening calender for May has detailed information about what to plant out safely now, and what to delay until June.
Gardening videos 6 short videos about "What to do in the garden in May" expand for details
Part 1 -More about bedding plants, protecting tender plants and how to make an easy homemade cloche.
Part 2- All about seedlings, the best way to sow seeds, looking after seedlings, pricking out small seeds and how to rescue a weedy seedling.
Part 3 - Which shrubs to prune in May, including pruning Clematis montana. How to renovate and hard prune Rhododendrons, when and how to do the Chelsea Chop.
Part 4 -Information about hardy and non-hardy plants and how to take care of them in May. Specific advice for those growing Potatoes in the event of frost and planting and looking after new shrubs, including tips on watering effectively.
Part 5 - Ideas on plants to attract bees and butterflies. Growing Strawberries in a hanging basket and how to hand pollinate them. How to use hanging baskets in the borders for extra colour. Which are the easiest tomato plants to grow suitable for hanging baskets.
Part 6 - Discusses the benefits of companion planting. Why ponds go green at this time of year and how to fix them. Ways to combat slugs and recover a slug eaten plant. Finally, a last look at wonderful wisteria and ways to grow Wisteria to make it more manageable.
Parts 1-6 A longer video incorporating all the above
Gardening ideas and inspiration
Easy to grow Spring and Summer flowering plants, advice as to the best climbing and scented plants.
Ideas for the Best Evergreen shrubs, Spring and Summer Flowering shrubs and fast growing shrubs.
Advice on plants to attract bees and butterflies into your garden. Check out the 10 Best wildlife friendly plants and shrubs.
How to grow your own veg, including growing from seed and the best veg for growing in containers.
A month by month guide with advice and top tips what to do in the garden each month. Seasonal monthly advice in the Sunday Gardener's Newsletter.
An easy step-by-step guide with illustrations on how to build a pond, choosing a pond liner, and attracting wildlife to your pond.
Pages of gardening tips including how to get rid of slugs and snails, what does frost hardy mean, when to use the Chelsea Chop and much more.
Regular posts with gardening chat on the Sunday Gardener's award-winning blog, including visitors' questions.
