The May Edit: What’s Growing in the Hudson Valley
May is magic in the Hudson Valley. It’s the season of abundance—of color, fragrance, and finally getting your hands in the dirt without gloves. It’s also one of the most dynamic months for cut flowers. Blooms come fast and furious, each with its own fleeting window. Knowing what’s actually in season helps set the stage for arrangements that feel alive, fresh, and honest to the time of year.
Here’s what’s blooming—and what you can expect in your bouquets and Arrangements this month.
Peonies
Scientific name: Paeonia
Family: Paeoniaceae
Genus: Paeonia
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: saxifragales
To extend the season and meet demand, we source peonies smartly: starting in North Carolina, moving north through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the Mid-Hudson Valley, all the way into Canada, and eventually Alaska. Each zone buys us a little more time.
From your side of the bouquet, it looks like a six-week season. Behind the scenes, it’s a mad dance against the heat. Once temperatures rise, the peony season ends—abruptly. No slow fade, no second chances. That’s why they’re so coveted (and yes, why they come with a higher price tag). When you see them, enjoy them—because they won’t be back until next year.
Foxglove
Scientific name: digitalis Purpurea
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: digitalis
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Foxgloves come towards the end of may. Tall, speckled bells that add height and a little bit of drama. Plus, they’re a magnet for pollinators if you’re planting them too.
Allium
Scientific name: Tulipa
Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Tulipa
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Liliales
Alliums are Globe-like, architectural flowers that bring a strong, structural element to arrangements. Alliums bridge the gap between spring softness and summer boldness.
Campanula
Scientific name: Campanula
Family: campanulaceae
Genus: campanula
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: asterales
campanula (also called bellflower) brings a fresh, airy touch with its starry, bell-shaped blooms. It's perfect for adding movement, softness, and a little wildness to garden-style bouquets. These only bloom for 1-2 weeks as well!
Ranunculus
Scientific name: Ranunculus asiaticus
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ranunculus
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ranunculales
Ranunculus are layered, delicate, and come in every color from blush to neon. Ranunculus are the spring workhorse—perfect for bouquets and boutonnieres.
Columbine
Scientific name: Ranunculus asiaticus
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ranunculus
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ranunculales
Whimsical, delicate flowers with nodding heads and unique spurred petals. A favorite for garden-style, loose arrangements.
While May ushers in a new set of flowers, some early-season beauties are still thriving:
Tulips: Simple, vibrant, and still going strong.
Poppies: Dreamy, tissue-thin petals that add softness and movement.
Daffodils: Bright and sunny, hanging on in cooler corners of the Valley.
Learn more about each of these beauties in our April edit.
May is a month of transition and quick shifts. Some blooms will barely last a week, others will stretch into June. At Flora Good Times, we build every bouquet with an eye toward what’s fresh right now. That’s how you get flowers that feel alive, not forced.
Choosing seasonal blooms isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about embracing the rhythm of the land, supporting local growers, and giving yourself the experience of true, once-a-year beauty.
Because nothing fake ever feels as good as the real thing.