| Membership | Price |
|---|---|
| Student | $55/year |
| Single | $85/year |
| Single Plus | $120/year |
| Family | $130/year |
| Family Plus | $175/year |
| Contributing | $250/year |
| Supporting | $500/year |
| Sustaining | $1,000/year |
| Benefactor's Circle | $2,500/year |
| Director's Circle | $5,000/year |
| President's Circle | $10,000/year |
What’s in Bloom? May at RBG
May 1, 2023
What Blooms in May?
Note: this is a general guide of what typically blooms this month at RBG. Bloom periods may vary by up to 2 weeks. For the best view of what’s blooming right now at RBG, see the current photos on RBG’s Instagram, or find the “Bloom Watch” section on the What’s in Bloom page.
In May, the gardens burst to life with a soft rainbow of blooms!
Trees and shrubs are the stars of the show at the Arboretum, with individual trees scattered throughout Hendrie Park, Rock Garden, and Laking Garden. Early in the month, walk beneath mid and late-season varieties of Magnolia . Look out for cultivars with unusual yellow blooms such as Magnolia ‘Butterflies’, whilst Flowering Quince and various viburnums are putting on a beautiful display.
Throughout the Rock Garden early perennials including Bleeding Heart, Double Bloodroot, Bluestar and Iberis flourish.
Pictured, left to right: Magnolia, Viburnum, Bleeding Heart, Double Bloodroot
Later in the month, the gardens transition to the vibrant pinks of Redbud, while Flowering Quince and Serviceberry brighten up the garden, alongside the early-blooming Hyacinth Lilac. Stunning trilliums can be found along the nearby nature trails. Inside Rock Garden, Moss Phlox, Lungwort, and Bugloss dot the winding paths. Pops of colour can be found throughout Hendrie Park with bright bulbs and perennials including daffodils and Virginia bluebells.
Pictured, left to right: Redbud, Daffodils, Flowering Quince, Bugloss
Late May* typically brings peak bloom for the lilacs, as their sweet scent of the Katie Osborne Lilac Collection fills the Arboretum. At Rock Garden, beautiful trees and shrubs including Fragrant Sumac, Japanese Kerria and Crabapple put on a fantastic spring show, while early blooming perennials dazzle out front. In Laking Garden, end-of-month visitors can spot the early Bearded Iris and tree peonies, a preview to the larger show to come in June.
*Bloom times vary from year to year as they are influenced by many natural events including temperature and climate. For the most up-to-date information and images of what’s currently blooming in the gardens, check out RBG’s Instagram feed.
Pictured, left to right: Lilac, Crabapple, Dwarf Iris, Lilac
May Favourites
Magnolias
Multiple varieties bloom throughout early to mid-May.
Major collection bloom in the Arboretum. Trees also found at Rock Garden, Laking Garden and Hendrie Park.
Lilacs
The Katie Osborne Lilac Collection typically reaches peak bloom in late May, and sometimes early-June, with some early varieties blooming mid-May
Major collection found in the Arboretum. Lilacs also found in Hendrie Park.
Plants that typically flower in May at RBG
- Redbud*
- Magnolia*
- Flowering Cherry* (early bloom in 2023, finished for the season)
- Dogwood
- Crabapple
- Lilac
- Spring Ephemerals
- Iris (dwarf and early bearded varieties)
- Coral Bells
- Hydrangea
- Clematis
- Hosta
- Tree Peony*
*These plants have short bloom times and are very weather dependent. Check our social media feeds closer to bloom time for updates.
Blooms by Season
Plants of interest are ever-changing in RBG’s five cultivated garden areas and nature sanctuaries. Learn what’s blooming now or see the blooms calendar for a rough estimation of what to expect each season.
