We’ve all heard the phrase, “April showers bring May flowers,” but did you know May is one of the best months of the entire year for blooms? That’s why so many people choose to get married in this late spring-early summer period, because the floral choices are just too good. Whether you’re planning a wedding or just heading to your local farmers’ market, here are seven flowers to keep your eyes peeled for this month.

Our favorite May flowers:

Lilac is one of those “blink and you’ll miss it” blooms, especially if you live on the West Coast. Most lilacs will only bloom for a short time period in the spring, around two weeks. Long-lasting varieties of lilacs are called reblooming lilacs and can bloom for around six weeks through spring and summer.

Freesia is a sweetly fragrant spring favorite with up to 10 tiny bell-shaped flowers on each stem.

You’re probably used to seeing the red variation of amaryllis around the holidays, but the peach variation of amaryllis that blooms in May is quite pretty and show-stopping.

Sweet peas are delicate and ruffled feminine beauties with a lovely soft scent. They have an enormous range of colors — in fact, they have one of the biggest ranges in the plant kingdom.

Ah, the famous peony. What’s not to love about this big, fluffy statement bloom? May is a short, but glorious blooming season for this treasured fleur.

Carnations tend to have a bad rap (thanks a lot, Carrie Bradshaw), but these fluffy babies are actually quite magical, especially in May. But I’m not talking about your grocery store variety dyed carnations. Keep an eye out for the dusty, muted variety for real modernity.

Roses are a classic bloom that will never go away, and for good reason. There are so many incredible varieties of roses, but I have a soft spot for garden roses in particular. Garden roses are in a completely different league. Their lush, ruffled petals swirl around four different centers to form a rounded bloom. The standard rose has pointed shape petals rotated around one pointed center. Garden roses are softer and puffier looking; standard roses are more pointy.

Tulips are fabulous May flowers because they have such a massive variety to choose from; fringed, parrot, double and French just to name some favorites. And each type has a different style and feel, not to mention they come in so, so many colors! They have a fun organic movement to them that you just can’t find in other flowers.