May is when gardens across Cambridgeshire and East Anglia begin to feel fully alive.
What started as a gentle unfolding in April suddenly gathers pace. Growth becomes fuller, richer and far more confident, with borders beginning to soften and expand into the surrounding space.
There is a noticeable shift now. Greens deepen, trees settle into leaf and gardens begin carrying that first genuine sense of early summer.
This is often the point where planting can start to lose a little clarity if left completely unchecked. Self seeders appear unexpectedly, perennials begin pushing forward rapidly and borders that felt carefully balanced only weeks earlier can suddenly blur together. But rather than trying to control everything too tightly, it is usually better simply to guide the space gently.
A well designed garden does not rely on constant intervention. It relies on strong underlying structure.
Paths continue leading you through the landscape, clipped forms quietly anchor the space and carefully positioned trees or hedging continue to hold everything together, even as planting becomes looser and more immersive around them.
Across Cambridge, Ely and the wider East Anglian landscape, May also brings those long evenings and expansive skies that define this part of the country.
Gardens often benefit from a sense of enclosure within that openness. Layered planting becomes especially important now, with taller structural planting behind, softer planting weaving through the middle and lower ground layer planting helping knit everything together naturally.
This approach not only creates gardens that feel calmer and more atmospheric, it also supports wildlife in a far more balanced way. Birds, pollinators and insects move through layered planting naturally, using it for shelter, feeding and nesting without us really noticing.
There is also value in holding back slightly during May. It is tempting to tidy every edge or cut everything into place, but allowing certain plants to lean, soften pathways or move naturally through borders often creates gardens that feel far more established and connected to their surroundings.
May is not really about perfection. It is about balance. knowing when to step in and when to leave things alone. When that balance is right, a garden begins to feel settled, immersive and deeply connected to the season around it.
May Gardening Calendar
- Allow some areas of planting to remain slightly softer and looser to support wildlife and pollinators.
- Lightly support taller perennials before growth becomes too heavy later in the season.
- Keep bird baths, wildlife ponds and water bowls clean and topped up during warmer weather.
- Introduce nectar rich planting where possible to support bees and pollinating insects through late spring.
- Always check carefully for nesting birds before cutting hedges or reducing planting.
About Tim Jennings Design
Working from studios near Ely Cathedral and Anglesey Abbey, RHS award winning garden and landscape designer Tim Jennings creates gardens across Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and the wider East Anglian region.
His work combines strong architectural structure with immersive planting to create timeless outdoor spaces with depth, atmosphere and seasonal character.
