top of page

Spring in Springfield: What's Blooming in May

A Guide to What's Blooming & Where to Find the Flowers Around Springfield, Missouri


Happy late spring, friends! Do you know what’s growing when and where to find the all the flowery fun? Let’s take a look at what beauty is blooming this May in and around Springfield, Missouri. Scroll to the bottom of this post for the links of where to find these flowers.


Lauren with an armful of colorful flowers

As April ends, some of our favorite flowers will stick around (ranunculus, stock, snapdragon, and more!), while others fade for the season. May will bring us an array of big, colorful blooms, such as peonies, petunias, foxglove, and allium. Continue reading below for a comprehensive list of additional flowers, bushes and trees (each one I could possibly think of! Not to say I didn’t miss a few :) to expect this spring, as well as some fun information and photos. At the very end, find some of my favorite flowery resources like where the local flowers are actually located around the area and links to useful floral and gardening products I love.


What's Growing Early May through Early to Mid June


Peonies - Peonies are herbaceous perennials with large, showy flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and yellow. Known for their large, fragrant blooms, they are often considered a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. In Missouri, peonies typically bloom for a relatively short period, generally lasting around 1 to 2 weeks. 


Petunias - The name "petunia" is derived from the French word "petun," which means tobacco, as petunias were initially thought to have a fragrance similar to tobacco flowers. Loved for their long-lasting blooms and ability to cascade over edges, petunias are relatively low-maintenance plants that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.


Stock Flower Photo by Floret Flowers

Stock - Stock, aka gilly flower, are known for their sweet, spicy fragrance that resembles cloves or cinnamon and are part of the cabbage family! Yes, the blooms are edible! They come in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, lavender, mauve and more.


Snapdragon - The name "snapdragon" comes from the flower's resemblance to a dragon's mouth, which opens and closes when squeezed. Snapdragons are often used in floral arrangements due to their long-lasting blooms and vibrant colors. My favorite variant is the madame butterfly-- they're simply magical looking!


Campanula - Commonly known as canterbury bells or bellflowers due to their bell-shaped blooms, some varieties of campanula are known for their ability to attract butterflies and bees to the garden. The blooms grow more vertically and come in various colors such as vibrant magenta, violet and bright white. I love designing with these due to their unique shape and texture.


Larkspur - Part of the Delphinium genus, larkspur gets its name from the unique shape of its flower spikes, resembling the spur of a lark's foot. This nectar rich flower blooms in a wide range of colors, including shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, attracting and feeding several polinator populations. I love the shape and height of this flower, as well as how long it lasts in a vase (I've had some last over two weeks!)


Lily - Named after the genus Lilium, lilies come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, making them popular garden plants and cut flowers. While they are not typically consumed as food, some species of lilies are toxic to cats if ingested.


Large ornamental onions, allium growing with beautiful purple blooms
Allium Photo by Longfield Gardens

Allium - Alliums are members of the onion family and are closely related to garlic, onions, and chives. Also known as “ornamental onions” these vibrant guys smell delightfully onion-y in my opinion! Some varieties of allium, such as Allium giganteum, produce large, spherical flower heads that can reach several inches in diameter, and others resemble “drum sticks” (see below!) In addition to their awesome color, they provide fun textures to spice up floral arrangements and gardens.


Lace Orlaya - An annual flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. Named for its delicate, lacy white flowers, this plant adds an elegant touch to garden borders and flower beds and is a favorite amongst florists for its unique texture.


Viburnum - Also known as “Snowball Bush”, produces fragrant flowers often described as sweet, spicy, or musky smelling and attract pollinators.


Nigella - Commonly known as Love-In-A-Mist, nigella is an annual flowering plant native to southern Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia. Its name comes from the intricate, fern-like foliage that surrounds its flowers, creating a mist-like appearance.


Chinese Forget-Me-Nots - These flowers get their name from their ability to self-seed and appear year after year, ensuring they are not forgotten. While they have a similar appearance to true forget-me-nots, they belong to a different botanical family.


Hosta - Hostas are shade-loving perennial plants native to Asia. They are relatively pest and disease resistant and require minimal watering once established, making them a popular choice among beginning gardeners. While the flowers are often attractive to pollinators, some species of hostas are toxic to pets if ingested.


Agrostemma - Commonly known as Corn Cockle, is a wildflower native to Europe and Asia. Its name comes from its tendency to grow as a weed in cornfields. They are toxic if ingested and should be handled with care.

Sweet Pea Photo by Floret Flowers

Sweet Peas - Sweet peas are renowned for their many delightful features such as a sweet fragrance, vining nature and edibility. These flowers come in a wide range of colors, including shades of pink, purple, red, white, and blue. They are climbing plants that produce long, slender vines and can reach vertical heights of up to 6 to 8 feet or more.


Yarrow- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat wounds and stop bleeding, earning it the nickname "soldier's woundwort." It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, is drought-tolerant, and attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.


Mint- AKA, Mentha, is known for its refreshing aroma and flavor, widely used in culinary dishes, teas, and as a natural remedy for digestive issues. It spreads rapidly through its roots and can become invasive in gardens, so it’s best grown in containers to control the spread.


Pennycress- Field pennycress is being researched for its potential as a biofuel crop due to its high oil content. It is considered a weed by many, but is actually one of my favorite greenery/fillers to use in floral design! I love the organic, whimsical feel it provides.


Bells of Ireland- These beauties symbolize good luck in the language of flowers, making them popular in arrangements for special occasions. Despite their name, they are not from Ireland and are known for their striking, green, bell-shaped calyxes.


Feverfew- Feverfew has been traditionally used to treat headaches, particularly migraines. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, is deer-resistant and attracts pollinators.


Bupleurum- Bupleurum has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years to treat liver diseases and boost the immune system. The plant is known for its attractive, greenish-yellow flowers and long-lasting, lance-shaped leaves that add texture to floral arrangements.

A large, bright yellow sunflower growing in a field of sunflowers with two large bumblebees in the brown center searching for pollen
Sunflower photo by Lauren Lindsay Ward at Finley Farms

Sunflower- Young sunflower plants exhibit heliotropism, meaning they follow the sun from east to west during the day. Sunflowers are commonly grown for their seeds, which are used for oil, snacks, and bird feed.


Solomon's Seal- This plant's roots have been used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation and joint pain. It thrives in shady, woodland areas with rich, well-drained soil and is valued for its arching stems and bell-shaped flowers.


Wild Indigo- Wild indigo (Baptisia) was historically used by Native Americans to produce blue dye. This perennial is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.


Delphinium- Delphiniums contain toxic compounds that can be harmful if ingested, so they should be planted with care. Known for their tall spikes of vibrant flowers, delphiniums come in various shades of blue, pink, white, and purple. Bella Donna Blue Delphinium is my personal favorite variation to design with.


Ammi- Often referred to as false Queen Anne’s Lace and is known for its delicate, lacy white flower clusters, it attracts beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs, making it a good companion plant in the garden.


Summer Snowflakes- Despite their name, summer snowflakes typically bloom in spring, producing delicate, white, bell-shaped flowers. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and can often be found growing near streams or ponds.


Catmint- Catmint contains nepetalactone, a compound that is highly attractive to cats and induces a euphoric response. It's a hardy perennial that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, known for its lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage.


Shining Blue Star- Shining blue star is known for its star-shaped, light blue flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. Its foliage turns a brilliant golden-yellow in the fall, providing multi-season interest in the garden.


White or cream foxglove flower in a garden with green grass and bushes in the background in early June
Foxglove photo by Lauren Lindsay Ward at Springfield Botanical Gardens

Foxglove- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is the source of digitalis, a group of medicines used to treat heart conditions. They are typically biennial, meaning they grow foliage the first year and flower the second before setting seed and dying.


Smoke Bush- Known for its dramatic, smoke-like flower plumes and colorful foliage that turns vibrant shades in the fall, smoke bush can be grown as a shrub or small tree and prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.


Columbine- Columbine flowers are known for their unique, spurred petals that come in a variety of colors. They are highly attractive to hummingbirds, making them a great addition to wildlife gardens.


Bachelor's Buttons- Also known as cornflowers, were traditionally worn by bachelors in love as a sign of their devotion. They are hardy annuals that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, often self-seeding for years of continuous blooms.


Fringe Tree- Fringe tree produces fragrant, fringe-like white flowers in late spring. It is native to the southeastern United States and prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.


Mock Orange- Mock orange is named for its citrus-like fragrance, reminiscent of orange blossoms. It is a hardy, deciduous shrub that requires minimal care and can thrive in a variety of soil types.


Billy Balls- Billy balls (Craspedia), also known as drumstick flowers, are known for their bright yellow, spherical flower heads. They are highly drought-tolerant, making them a good choice for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.


Saponaria- Saponaria, or soapwort, contains saponins that can produce a soapy lather when the plant is crushed, historically used for cleaning. It has been used in traditional herbal medicine for its mild antiseptic properties and to soothe skin irritations.


Cornus- Commonly known as dogwood, includes trees, shrubs, and groundcovers, all valued for their showy flowers and colorful bark. In many cultures, dogwood flowers symbolize durability and resilience, often used in folklore and literature.

Lavender scoop scabiosa flower in a floral arrangement
Scabiosa Photo by Lauren Lindsay Ward

Scabiosa- Scabiosa is commonly known as the pincushion flower due to its unique flower shape that resembles a pincushion with pins. They attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and grow in a variety of beautiful colors such as lavender, plum, raspberry, blush, cream and more.


Calendula- Calendula flowers are edible and often used to add color to salads, soups, and herbal teas. The petals have been used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory and healing properties, often found in skin care products.


Gypsophilia- Gypsophila, commonly known as baby’s breath, is popular in floral arrangements for its delicate, airy clusters of tiny white or pink flowers. It symbolizes everlasting love and purity, making it a common choice for wedding bouquets and decorations.


Golden Tansy- Golden tansy was historically used for its medicinal properties, including as a treatment for digestive issues and as an insect repellent. It can be invasive in some areas, spreading rapidly through its rhizomes and self-seeding habit.


Willow- Willow bark contains salicin, a compound similar to aspirin, historically used to treat pain and inflammation. Its wood is highly flexible and has been used for centuries to make baskets, furniture, and even cricket bats.


Enjoy the Beauty!


Fortunately, here in the 417 we are in a wonderful community full of amazing local flowers and resources. Take a walk at one of the several stunning gardens around the city, enjoy a “You Pick” flower farm experience, or support small local businesses by strolling their greenhouses and nurseries. In addition to enjoying all the community has to offer visually, it is easy to get involved with local gardening groups, volunteer at our community gardens, attend workshops or participate in internships to expand your education and meet fellow garden enthusiasts. Details and links to all of this listed below!


Where to find local flowers around Springfield, Missouri:

For enjoyment and education visit…

For flower farms, gardens and greenhouses you can purchase from (or also just enjoy) visit/contact…


LINKS to floral and garden products I LOVE:


LINKS to my SPRING ESSENTIALS:

  • Floral Rainboots I am obsessed with.

  • The prettiest Spring Kitchen Apron 

  • ...and coordinating Kitchen Hand Towels!!

  • My FAVORITE Floral Sweater Set It is seriously the softest, prettiest material! Technically, it's a PJ set, but I wear it out and always get compliments.

  • Our new Propane Grill. We've been using this literally every day that the sun is out! It's so easy to use.

  • The best Bose Bluetooth Speaker. Everyone needs at least one of these. Perfect for patio tunes or tossing in a bag to take with you wherever you go, we use ours every day.

  • The best, puncture proof Gardening Gloves 

  • The most functional Gardening Apron 

  • My favorite Camera Lens! I use my 50mm 1.2 for almost everything, it is simply the best, but it's especially ideal for all the flower photos I like to snap in the spring.

  • The Best Hammock Ever. It's comfy, it's cute, it fits two people- it's my favorite purchase so far this year.

  • The Spring Colored Stanley Cup I love. I have a few other Stanleys and tumblers, but this one tops them all. It's the perfect size (IMO), the color is amazing and most importantly I love the straw that flips shut. I have had traumatic experiences with my other tumblers where bugs have gotten in them through the opening or straw and yes, I did suck them up. EW. Never again with this one!


As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you use my recommended links to purchase products, I receive a percentage of commissions! I will never recommend products simply to sell, I will always recommend products I love/want and products I use. Thank you!


Some of my favorite general resources on local flowers and gardening:

Missouri Flower Exchange

Rooted Farmers

Missouri Dept of Conservation 

Master Gardeners of Greene County

Christian County Master Gardeners 

Missouri Invasive Plant Council 

Resources for this blog post:

Commentaires

bottom of page