July is a prime time for many flowers, marking the peak of summer with an explosion of color in gardens everywhere. This month, gardens are often at their most vibrant, with plants that love the warmth and long days showing off their blooms. These flowers can range from those with delicate, airy petals to robust, showy blossoms, providing both visual and olfactory delights.
The blooming in July often coincides with increased activity from pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making this a crucial time for ecological gardens. Many of these flowers are not only beautiful but also serve as vital food sources for wildlife, supporting biodiversity during the height of summer. Their nectar and pollen are essential for the survival and reproduction of many insects and birds.
Gardeners appreciate July for its long-lasting blooms, which, with regular deadheading or in the case of some perennials, can continue into the fall. This period is perfect for enjoying the garden’s bounty, whether through cut flowers for indoor arrangements or simply the joy of watching nature in action. The variety of colors and textures available in July can transform any garden into a vibrant, living tapestry.
Flowers That Bloom In July
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Known for their daily blooming cycle, each flower of a daylily lasts just one day but is replaced by new blooms, ensuring a long flowering period through July. Available in an array of colors from yellow and orange to pink and red, daylilies are hardy perennials in zones 3-9, offering both beauty and ease of care with minimal maintenance.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
This cheerful flower features bright yellow petals with a dark center, blooming from late June into July and sometimes beyond. Black-Eyed Susans are native to North America, thriving in zones 3-9, and are excellent for naturalizing, providing a burst of color to meadows, borders, or cottage gardens. They’re also great for pollinators.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
With their classic white petals and yellow centers, Shasta daisies bloom from early to mid-summer, often continuing into July. Hardy in zones 4-9, these perennials bring a clean, bright look to gardens, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. Their long stems make them ideal for cut flower arrangements.
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinaceas are famous for their daisy-like flowers with raised centers, blooming in July in shades of pink, purple, white, and even yellow with newer cultivars. They’re not only attractive but also beneficial for gardens in zones 3-9, attracting butterflies and birds, and their seed heads provide winter interest.
Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
Many hydrangeas hit their stride in July, with large, showy blooms that can change color based on soil pH. Varieties like Hydrangea macrophylla offer blue, pink, or purple flowers, while Hydrangea paniculata gives us white blooms turning to pink. They’re hardy in zones 3-9, and their big blooms make a dramatic statement in any garden setting.
Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Garden phlox blooms in mid to late summer, often starting in July, with dense clusters of fragrant flowers in colors like pink, purple, white, and lavender. Hardy in zones 4-8, they’re excellent for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, providing both color and scent to the garden, though they might need some protection from powdery mildew.
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Many rose varieties have a second bloom in July after their initial spring flush, especially repeat-flowering or remontant types. From classic reds and pinks to modern yellows and oranges, roses in zones 4-9 fill gardens with their beauty and fragrance, perfect for both garden displays and cut flowers.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)
With their vibrant, daisy-like flowers in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow, blanket flowers bloom from early summer into fall, with a peak in July. Hardy in zones 3-10, they’re drought-tolerant and love sunny locations, making them a low-maintenance choice for hot summer gardens.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Also known as bergamot, bee balm blooms in July with shaggy, vibrant blooms in red, pink, or purple, attracting a plethora of pollinators, especially bees and hummingbirds. It’s hardy in zones 4-9 and prefers moist soil, adding both color and a minty fragrance to gardens.
Veronica (Veronica spicata)
With spikes of blue, white, or pink flowers, Veronica blooms in early to mid-summer, often extending into July. It’s a hardy perennial in zones 3-8, offering vertical interest in borders and attracting butterflies. Its long bloom time and ease of care make it a favorite for mixed plantings.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow flowers from June into July with flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers in colors ranging from white to yellow, pink, and red. Hardy in zones 3-9, it’s not only drought-resistant but also beneficial for its medicinal properties, attracting beneficial insects and providing excellent cut flowers.
Delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
Known for their tall spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, delphiniums often start blooming in June but can continue into July with proper care. They’re perennials in zones 3-7, requiring staking due to their height, but they add a dramatic, vertical element to the garden, perfect for the back of borders or as a focal point.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Often called tickseed, Coreopsis blooms from late spring through July, offering a profusion of daisy-like flowers in yellow, pink, or bi-colors. They’re hardy perennials in zones 4-9, known for their drought tolerance and ability to attract butterflies and bees, making them perfect for sunny borders or naturalized areas.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
English lavender blooms in mid-summer, with July being a peak time for its fragrant, purple spikes. It’s hardy in zones 5-9, and while it loves full sun and well-drained soil, it’s not just ornamental; its scent and essential oils are widely used. Lavender is also a magnet for pollinators.
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
These tall, stately plants bloom in July with their single or double flowers in a palette of colors including pink, red, yellow, and white. Hollyhocks are biennials or short-lived perennials in zones 3-8, often considered old-fashioned but still beloved for adding height and drama to cottage gardens.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
While many sunflowers bloom earlier, some varieties or successions are planted to bloom through July, providing cheerful faces of yellow, orange, or red. Although often grown as annuals, perennial varieties exist in zones 4-9, offering food for birds and a quintessential summer look.
Campanula (Campanula spp.)
Known as bellflowers, many species bloom in July with their bell-shaped or star-shaped flowers in blue, purple, white, or pink. Hardy in zones 3-8, they’re excellent for rock gardens, borders, or as ground cover, attracting bees with their nectar-rich blooms.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Although primarily a biennial, foxgloves can bloom into July if conditions are right or if they’re hybrids that flower perennially. Their tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, or yellow are not only striking but also attract hummingbirds and bees. Hardy in zones 4-9.
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Several species of salvia bloom in July, offering spikes of flowers in blue, purple, red, or pink. Hardy in zones 5-9 for perennials like Salvia nemorosa, they’re drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and a feast for pollinators, making them versatile for both ornamental and ecological gardening.
Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)
While technically tubers that need to be lifted in colder climates, dahlias bloom from summer into fall, with many varieties hitting their stride in July. Offering a spectrum of colors and forms, they’re hardy in zones 8-11 but grown as annuals elsewhere, prized for their showy blooms in borders or containers.
Lythrum (Lythrum salicaria)
Known as loosestrife, this plant produces spires of purple, pink, or white flowers in July. However, caution is advised as it can be invasive; native alternatives like swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus) are preferable. Hardy in zones 3-9, it’s beautiful but requires management.
Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)
With its unique, spiny blue or white globes, globe thistle blooms in July, attracting bees and butterflies. It’s a hardy perennial in zones 3-8, adding both texture and color to the garden, and its dried blooms are excellent for winter interest or arrangements.
Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)
Also known as wandflower, Gaura blooms from early summer into fall, with a peak in July. Its delicate, butterfly-like flowers in white or pink dance on long stems, making it a graceful addition to borders or naturalistic plantings. Hardy in zones 5-9, it’s drought-resistant once established.
Crocosmia (Crocosmia spp.)
With vibrant, arching spikes of red, orange, or yellow flowers, Crocosmia blooms in July, providing a tropical look to temperate gardens. Hardy in zones 6-9, these corms are easy to grow, multiply readily, and are loved by hummingbirds, making them a dynamic choice for summer borders.
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Known for their bright, daisy-like flowers in an array of colors from pink and red to yellow and orange, zinnias bloom from early summer into fall, with July being a prime time. Although mostly grown as annuals, they provide continuous color and are excellent for cut flowers, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
While some are grown as perennials in mild climates (zones 9-11), many are treated as annuals elsewhere. In July, they offer a spectrum of flower colors with their clusters of blooms. They’re popular for containers, borders, or hanging baskets, providing a long season of color.
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
These airy, daisy-like flowers bloom from summer through fall, with a significant show in July. Colors include white, pink, purple, and red. Cosmos are annuals that self-seed, making them easy to maintain while bringing a light, cottage garden feel to any space. They’re also magnets for pollinators.
Petunia (Petunia spp.)
Petunias are summer favorites, blooming profusely in July, offering a rainbow of colors and patterns. While often grown as annuals in most areas, they can be perennials in zones 9-11. They’re perfect for borders, hanging baskets, or as ground cover, providing non-stop blooms with deadheading.
Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds are hardy annuals that bloom in July with their cheerful yellow, orange, or red flowers. They’re not just for color; marigolds are known for repelling certain pests in the garden, making them practical as well as ornamental. They thrive in full sun and are easy to grow from seed.
Agastache (Agastache spp.)
Also known as hyssop, Agastache blooms in mid to late summer with spikes of flowers in colors like purple, pink, orange, or blue. They’re hardy perennials in zones 5-10, attracting hummingbirds and bees with their nectar-rich blooms, and they’re drought-tolerant once established.
Cleome (Cleome hassleriana)
Known as spider flower for its unique, spidery blooms, Cleome starts flowering in late spring and continues through July. Colors include white, pink, and purple, with a height that adds drama to the garden. It’s an annual that self-seeds, offering both beauty and ease.
Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
With its tall, airy stems topped with clusters of small purple flowers, Verbena bonariensis blooms in July, providing a see-through effect in garden designs. It’s a perennial in zones 7-10 but grown as an annual in cooler climates, attracting butterflies and beneficial insects.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Often called pot marigold, Calendula blooms from early summer into fall, with July being a high point. Its bright yellow or orange flowers are not only beautiful but also beneficial for their medicinal properties. They’re hardy annuals, great for both ornamental and edible gardens.
Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
While some bloom earlier, certain varieties or hybrids of Lupine can provide a floral display into July. With their tall spikes of flowers in blue, purple, pink, or yellow, they’re hardy perennials in zones 4-8, ideal for cottage gardens or as a backdrop in borders.
Lysimachia (Lysimachia clethroides)
Known as gooseneck loosestrife for its unique, drooping white flower spikes, this perennial blooms in July in zones 3-8. It’s excellent for mass planting, creating a striking visual effect, and while it can spread, it’s less invasive than its cousin, purple loosestrife.
Heliopsis (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Often called false sunflower, Heliopsis blooms in mid to late summer, with a peak in July, offering bright yellow flowers similar to sunflowers but with a longer bloom time. Hardy in zones 3-9, it’s perfect for naturalistic gardens, borders, or as a cut flower, attracting pollinators.