With May on the horizon and temperatures expected to regularly exceed 20C, gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared his top five plants for planting this month. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Love Your Weekend presenter recommended scabious ‘Pink Mist’ as his first choice, describing it as a lovely summer flower that thrives in sunshine and well-drained soil.
His second recommendation was pulmonaria, also known as lungwort. Titchmarsh noted that historical beliefs once linked its leaf shapes to medicinal properties, but warned viewers not to try using it at home. He praised it as a beautiful early spring plant.
Third on the list was the humble fern, which Titchmarsh called a reliable ground coverer for dense shade. He advised trying ferns in spots where little else will grow, particularly in dry, shaded conditions during summer.
The fourth plant was lavender, which Titchmarsh said “everybody” should have in their garden. He highlighted its summer display of lavender, pale pink or white flowers, and its value in attracting pollinating insects to the vegetable garden.
Finally, Titchmarsh highlighted hardy geraniums as a plant he would “never ever be without”. He recommended the variety ‘Wargrave Pink’, which grows to about 45cm and is smothered with bright pink flowers throughout summer. He noted it thrives in sun or dappled shade and is good for soil that tends to dry out.
