Best Plants for July Blooms | Nature Hills

There are so many plants, shrubs, and even a few trees that will fill your landscape with flowers during the month of July! Flowering in spite of the heat and humidity, these plants will strut their stuff over the next few weeks and beyond!

Get ready to enjoy fireflies, fireworks, mid-summer nights, and these flowering plants!

July Flowering Perennials
July Blooming Shrubs
Trees That Flower In July
Bonus: July Flowering Vines
Caring For Plants During The Hot Summer
Summer Sun, Summer Fun & Summer Blooms!

Feeding pollinators nectar and pollen during their busiest month, even hummingbirds with hungry chicks to feed, the following garden gems bring color to your landscape and bask in the hot summer sun!

Not to mention all the gorgeous bouquets you’ll make from their bountiful blooms!

July Flowering Perennials

Besides the usual array of seasonal annuals that northern growers enjoy as bedding and container plants (many of which are perennial in frost-free growing zones.

These July-flowering perennials are just getting going! Many more will keep blooming or reblooming until autumn! So plant these in your landscape for showy interest all month long!

July Flowering Full Sun Perennial Plants
Ajuga	Creeping Thyme Groundcover	Liriope, aka: Lilyturf
Anemone	Coreopsis	Millennium & Summer Beauty Allium
Anise Hyssop	Crocosmia	Obedient Plant
Baby's Breath	Daylilies	Penstemon
Bee Balm (Monarda)	Daisies - English, Oxeye, etc.	Red Hot Poker Plants
Betony	Evening Primrose (some)	Sea Holly
Bellflower	Foxglove	Sea Thrift
Black-Eyed Susan	Geum	Speedwell Veronica
Butterfly Weed/Butterfly Plant/Milkweed	Goldenrod	Spiderworts
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)	Hardy Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
Blazing Star/Gayfeather/Liatris	Hollyhocks	Sunflowers/Perennial Sunflower
Calamint/Catnip/Catmint	Lavender	Vervain
Cardinal Flower	Oriental/Tiger Lily	Yarrow
Coneflowers	Lily Of The Nile (Agapanthus)

Remember that in warmer climates, some of these may have already begun blooming in June!

All of your pollinators' and Hummingbirds' favorite perennial flowers and vital sources of nectar are in full bloom this month!

Some Garden Pinks (Dianthus) are reblooming this month, and Cranesbill Geranium still has sporadic flowers. Some varieties of Tall Garden Phlox and Cushion Phlox may still be in flower this month, too.

Perennials like Gaura (Wand Flower), Catmint/Catnip, Russian Sage, and all Salvia have been blooming since June and show no signs of stopping now!

Asters like Peachie's Pick and Honeysong Purple Stokes Aster, and some Sedum/Stonecrop & Groundcover Sedum (aka Carpet Sedum) are starting to bloom this month.
Northern and Southern gardeners can include Tropical Plants for annual decor, or in hot climates can add perennials like - Canna Lily, Mandevilla Vine, Kangaroo Paw, Variegated Shell Ginger, Pineapple Lily, Tropical Hibiscus, and African Iris!

July Blooming Partial Sun/Partial Shade Perennials
Anemone	Goatsbeard
Baby's Breath	Hosta
Burgundy Glow Ajuga	Liriope, aka: Lilyturf
Blue Mist Flower	Some Tall Garden Phlox
Delphinium/Larkspur

Your Astilbe, Coralbells, and Hosta can still be in flower at this time of year, too!

Full Shade Perennials That Bloom In July
Black Scallop/Dixie Chip Ajuga	Leopard Plant (Ligularia)
Canary Feathers Corydalis	Liriope, aka: Lilyturf
Chantilly Lace Goatsbeard

Don’t forget to include Perennials with showy foliage that looks great all summer, including Variegated Iris, Golden Creeping Jenny, Lemon Ball Sedum, Hostas like Curly Fries Hosta, Little Angel Burnet, Silvery Sunproof Liriope, Elegant Feather Eupatorium, Euphorbia, and Northern Lights Tufted Hairgrass.

July Blooming Shrubs

Many fruiting shrubs are flowering now, and some are even fruiting in June! But these flowering bushes wait until it's warmer out to start their flowering displays!

Beautyberry bushes
Bush Clover like Gibraltar
Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla)
Butterfly bushes
Coralberry/Snowberry bushes
Crape Myrtle Shrubs
Escallonia (Redclaw)
Hebe - Try Patty’s Purple!
Hydrangeas are in full swing!
Potentilla sporadically flower until fall
Rose Bushes are going strong!
Rose of Sharon
Spirea continues blooming
St. John's Wort
Summersweet/Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra)
Weigela - a few reblooming varieties are still pumping out the flowers!

Roses and Hydrangeas started their show in June, and are still going strong! Keep them well-watered during the heat waves and during periods of no rain to keep those blooms looking their best!

Trees That Flower In July

Incredible summer flowering displays on large and small flowering trees will have you swooning! Toss in some shade along with the show, and you can kick back and relax!

Chaste Tree
Crape Myrtle Trees
Golden Raintree
Japanese Stewartia
Linden/Basswood still has showy light green bracts
Mimosa
New Jersey Tea
Oleander (tree form)
Rose of Sharon (tree form)
Sourwood Trees
Smoketrees
Southern Magnolia

Make sure your trees have a layer of mulch around their root systems to keep them hydrated and insulate the roots from the heat! It also creates a buffer between the lawn and your tree, preventing mowers and weed whackers from getting too close and nicking the bark.

Bonus: July Flowering Vines

Go vertical with these July-flowering climbing vines!

Clematis
Honeysuckle Vine
Hops
Jasmine
Passionflower/Passionfruit Vines
Scarlet Runner Bean
Trumpet Vine

Fill a trellis, drape them over arbors, and enjoy privacy, shade, and upright garden interest!

Caring For Plants During The Hot Summer

The summer garden faces many challenges, from insects to heat and drought, you need to be ready to protect your plants from stress to keep them flowering and fruiting their very best!

Mulch!

A 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch is essential for reducing moisture evaporation from the soil, keeping roots cool, and slowly enriching the soil.

Water!

If you are using automated sprinkler systems, be sure to set the system to water an inch of water at a time and then not water until it needs it again (instead of lightly watering each day, which keeps the roots at the surface). Soaker hoses under the mulch and drip irrigation deliver water at the roots, instead of on leaves. When in doubt, use the Finger Test!

Keep excess moisture off foliage by aiming lawn sprinklers away from your plants and on the lawn. The rain and humidity you can’t help, but providing morning sun locations, good air circulation, and reduced surface watering helps keep foliar problems at bay.

For Container Plants - keep watering thoroughly and frequently so they won’t dry out in the heat, check twice daily if it’s been especially hot, there’s been drought, or if they are in full sun. Ensure they have good drainage so roots don't get too soggy.

Ease Off Fertilizer!

July is often the last month you should fertilize many plants. They need time to harden off new growth in preparation for the cooler fall months ahead.

It’s Still Time To Plant!

Do you think you are too late to still plant during the summer season? You aren’t! Learn how to plant successfully in July and what gets planted best during the summer months! Nature Hills Nursery grows many of our plants in containers so they can be shipped and planted throughout the growing season!

Fruit Tree Summer Pruning

Summer pruning time for your fruit trees - heading back any elongated spires of new growth will help to keep your plants the size you like, and summer-pruned cuts heal quickly. It is also important to prune out any suckers and water growth from all of your trees.

Deadheading Means Repeat Blooms!

Continuing to deadhead your reblooming plants! This is an excellent way to keep the flowers coming, whether it is your Roses or your perennials.

Then, check out our Garden Blog for more ways to Protect Gardens From Heat Stress. And find which plants are best for Xeric Water-Wise landscaping and Drought-Tolerant gardens.

Summer Sun, Summer Fun & Summer Blooms!

Kick back and watch the summer garden show off its best colors this summer! Plant July-flowering trees, shrubs, and perennial plants throughout the landscape with the help of NatureHills.com!

Don’t forget the 4th! Start a Patriotic Garden and enjoy the red, white, and blue! Plus you will want to check out what fruit trees and shrubs can be harvested during the month of July!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

What flowers are in bloom in july?

July brings an abundance of blooms from heat-loving perennials like Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflowers, Bee Balm, and Daylilies, along with flowering shrubs such as Hydrangeas and Crape Myrtles. Many of these plants thrive in full sun and continue blooming through autumn, providing nectar for pollinators during their busiest season. In northern zones, these perennials are just hitting their stride, while southern gardeners may see blooms starting in June. Plant these summer performers now for continuous color and reliable pollinator support through the hottest months.

What blooms in july?

July brings abundant blooms from heat-loving perennials like Black-Eyed Susan, Bee Balm, Daylilies, and Coneflowers, along with flowering shrubs and even some trees that thrive in summer's intensity. These plants not only provide continuous color through the hottest month but also feed busy pollinators and hummingbirds when nectar sources are most critical. Many of these July bloomers will continue flowering into fall with proper care. Plant full-sun perennials now for peak summer performance and keep them well-watered during heat waves to extend their blooming period.

Can you plant flowers in july?

Yes, you can plant flowers in July, though success depends on your approach and plant selection. Container-grown perennials and annuals can be planted throughout summer with proper care, while many July-blooming perennials like coneflowers, bee balm, and black-eyed Susan are readily available at nurseries now. Plant early morning or evening to reduce transplant shock, water deeply and consistently, and provide temporary shade for the first week. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties and ensure consistent moisture during establishment.

Can i plant perennials in july?

Yes, you can plant perennials in July, though it requires extra care due to summer heat and stress. Plant during cooler morning or evening hours and ensure consistent watering for the first 4-6 weeks while roots establish. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, or bee balm that naturally thrive in summer conditions. Water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than daily shallow watering to encourage strong root development.

Can july be a name?

Yes, July can be a plant name, though it's uncommon in the nursery trade. Some cultivars incorporate "July" in their names to indicate peak bloom time, such as certain daylily varieties that flower specifically during this month. When selecting plants labeled with month names, verify the actual bloom period matches your growing zone (USDA zones 3-9 have different timing). Choose plants based on their proven performance characteristics rather than just their names.

What are the best perennials for July blooms in hot summer conditions?

The best July-blooming perennials for hot conditions include Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susan, Bee Balm, Daylilies, and Hardy Hibiscus, which thrive in full sun and handle heat and humidity exceptionally well. These workhorses bloom continuously through summer's peak, providing essential nectar for pollinators during their busiest feeding season. Blanket Flower, Butterfly Weed, and Blazing Star are also excellent choices that actually prefer the intense summer heat. Plant these reliable performers in spring for spectacular color that lasts from July through early fall.

How do I plant Black-Eyed Susans or Rudbeckia for midsummer color?

Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) thrive in full sun and well-draining soil across zones 3-9, making them perfect for reliable July through fall blooms. Plant them in spring after the last frost, spacing them 12-18 inches apart and watering regularly during their first growing season to establish strong roots. These drought-tolerant perennials will self-seed readily and benefit from deadheading spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Choose varieties like 'Goldsturm' or 'Cherokee Sunset' for the most vibrant midsummer color display.

What care tips ensure continuous blooming from Bee Balm (Monarda) in July?

To ensure continuous Bee Balm blooms in July, deadhead spent flowers regularly and provide consistent moisture with weekly deep watering of 1-2 inches. Plant in full sun to partial shade with good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew, especially in zones 4-9 where Monarda thrives. Cut back stems by one-third after the first flush of blooms to encourage a second wave of flowers. Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season to support vigorous blooming through late summer.

When and how should I deadhead Yarrow (Achillea) to extend July flowers?

Deadhead yarrow flowers as soon as they begin to fade in mid to late July by cutting stems back to the first set of healthy leaves, typically 4-6 inches below the spent bloom. In zones 3-9, this technique will encourage a second flush of flowers in late summer and prevent aggressive self-seeding. Cut early morning when stems are fully hydrated, using clean, sharp pruners to make angled cuts just above a leaf node. Regular deadheading every 5-7 days during peak bloom will maximize your yarrow's flowering period through September.

Can I plant Zinnias or Cosmos seeds in July for fall blooms, and how?

Yes, you can plant Zinnia and Cosmos seeds in July for beautiful fall blooms, as both are fast-growing annuals that flower 6-8 weeks from seed. In zones 5-7, plant by mid-July for blooms before first frost, while zones 8-10 can plant through late July or early August. Sow seeds directly in full sun, covering lightly with 1/4 inch of soil, and keep consistently moist until germination occurs in 5-10 days. Choose quick-maturing varieties and provide regular water during establishment for the best fall flower display.

Plants For July Blooms In The Garden