Nature

Gardening in the Lowcountry: What to Plant in May

May is the sweet spot for gardeners in the Sea Islands. The soil is warm, the last frost is a distant memory, and there’s still time to get plants established before summer’s full heat arrives. But gardening here comes with its own rules: sandy soils, salt air, and high humidity all affect what plants you should choose for your yard. Here’s what to put in the ground this month:

Flowering Shrubs & Ornamentals

Gardenia – The signature fragrance of a Southern May. Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep the crown at grade and don’t overwater once established. ‘August Beauty’ and ‘Mystery’ are both reliable Lowcountry performers.

Confederate Jasmine – One of the most versatile plants for Sea Island properties. This evergreen vine produces cascades of intensely fragrant white flowers in May and June, tolerates salt spray, and thrives in sandy soils once established. Train it on a fence or let it ramble as a groundcover.

Crape Myrtle – May is ideal planting time; they’ll spend all summer rooting in. Choose a variety sized for your space to avoid the annual pruning regret. ‘Natchez’ (white), ‘Tuscarora’ (coral-pink), and ‘Muskogee’ (lavender) all have excellent disease resistance. Full sun is non-negotiable.

Plumbago – An underused gem. Clear sky-blue flowers from spring through frost, drought-tolerant once established, and irresistible to butterflies. The blue pairs beautifully with orange lantana or yellow esperanza in a summer border.

Natives Worth Planting Now

Muhly Grass – Plant now for a spectacular October payoff, when it erupts in clouds of deep pink-purple plumes. Tolerates poor sandy soils, drought, and salt air.

Yaupon Holly – Salt-tolerant, deer-resistant, drought-tough, and beloved by birds for its bright red berries. Available in tree, upright, and weeping forms.

Swamp Rose Mallow – Native to coastal marshes, this herbaceous perennial produces dinner-plate-sized flowers up to 12 inches across in white, pink, and crimson. Perfect for low spots that hold moisture.

Vegetables & Herbs
Get warm-season edibles in the ground now before heat makes new starts struggle. Okra is a Lowcountry staple that loves humidity – direct sow after soil hits 65°F. Cherry tomatoes (Sun Gold, Sweet 100) will outperform larger varieties in our heat. For herbs: basil, lemongrass, and ginger all thrive in the Lowcountry summer.

A Few May Reminders
Mulch everything: 2 to 3 inches of pine bark or pine straw conserves moisture in sandy soil and keeps roots cooler. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root systems. And if you’re adding trees, choose wind-resistant species like live oak, sabal palm, or native hollies with an eye toward hurricane season, which begins June 1.

Plant what loves it here, and your Sea Island property will reward you all the way through November.