As summer heats up, many gardeners wonder which flowers to plant in July to keep their gardens vibrant and colorful. While spring is often considered the prime planting season, July offers excellent opportunities to add new blooms to your landscape. Whether you’re looking to fill gaps in your beds or start a new garden area, there are numerous flowers to plant in July that will thrive in the warm weather and provide beauty well into fall. Let’s explore some of the best options for mid-summer planting and how to ensure your new additions flourish.
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Flowers to Plant in July for Continuous Color
Ready to transform your garden into a late-summer wonderland? Look no further! We’ve curated a vibrant list of 20 show-stopping flowers to plant in July to keep your beds blooming well into autumn. These blooming beauties are perfect for mid-season planting, from sun-loving annuals to hardy perennials. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting your hands dirty, our mix of easy-to-grow favorites and stunning statement flowers will help you create a garden that’s the envy of the neighborhood. Get ready to dig in and discover the perfect flowers to plant in July for a dazzling display that lasts!
Astilbe
Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial with plume-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and red. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Plant outdoors as seeds or seedlings; transplanting is successful.
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Semi-shaded; in-ground
- Light: 3-6 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Bee Balm
Bee Balm is a fragrant perennial with vibrant flowers to plant in July that attract bees and hummingbirds, ideal for gardens. Here is where I recommend buying Bee Balm.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings outdoors.
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (16-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or large containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Blanket Flower
Blanket Flower is a drought-tolerant perennial with bright red and yellow daisy-like flowers that add color to any garden.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors or transplant seedlings.
- Soil Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-10
Blazing Star
Blazing Star is a perennial with tall spikes of purple or white flowers that you can plant in July. It attracts butterflies and adds vertical interest to gardens.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors or transplant seedlings.
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (16-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Catmint
Catmint is a hardy perennial with aromatic foliage and lavender-blue flowers, excellent for edging and attracting pollinators.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Sow seeds directly outdoors or transplant seedlings.
- Soil Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny to semi-shaded; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Cosmos
Cosmos is an annual with delicate foliage and vibrant flowers in shades of pink, white, and orange, making it one of the perfect flowers to plant in July for summer gardens. Here is where I recommend buying Cosmos seeds.
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors; transplanting is not recommended.
- Soil Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: Not applicable, grown as an annual.
Foamflower
Foamflower is a shade-loving perennial with airy white or pink flowers and attractive foliage, ideal for woodland gardens.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Plant outdoors as seeds or seedlings; transplanting is successful.
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (16-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Shaded; in-ground
- Light: 3-4 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Garden Phlox
Garden Phlox is a tall, fragrant perennial with clusters of colorful flowers that attract butterflies and add summer beauty to gardens, a great choice for flowers to plant in July. Here is where I recommend buying Garden Phlox.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings outdoors.
- Soil Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Hardy Geranium
Hardy Geranium, or Cranesbill, is a versatile perennial with attractive foliage and flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings outdoors.
- Soil Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny to semi-shaded; in-ground or containers
- Light: 4-6 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are tall biennial or short-lived perennials with large, showy flowers in various colors, making them excellent choices for flowers to plant in July, adding vertical interest to gardens.
- Type: Perennial/Biennial
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors; transplanting is successful.
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is a perennial known for its soft, silvery foliage and small purple flowers, excellent as ground cover.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors or transplant seedlings.
- Soil Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny to semi-shaded; in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Lantana
Lantana is a heat-tolerant perennial with clusters of brightly colored flowers, suitable for planting as flowers to plant in July. It’s often grown as an annual in cooler climates.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings outdoors.
- Soil Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Recommended reading: How to Propagate Lantana
Marigold
Marigold is a popular annual with bright, cheerful flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red, perfect for borders and containers.
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors or start indoors and transplant seedlings.
- Soil Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: Not applicable, grown as an annual.
Recommended reading: How to Grow Marigolds: Tips for Growing Marigolds from Seed
Moss Rose
Moss Rose, or Portulaca, is a low-growing annual with succulent foliage and vibrant, rose-like flowers, making it ideal for dry areas and rock gardens as flowers to plant in July. Here is where I recommend buying Moss Rose seeds.
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors; transplanting is not recommended.
- Soil Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: Not applicable, grown as an annual.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a shade-loving, evergreen perennial ground cover with small white flowers and glossy green foliage.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Plant outdoors as seedlings; transplanting is successful.
- Soil Temperature: 55-65°F (13-18°C)
- Preferred Location: Shaded; in-ground
- Light: 2-4 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Pentas
Pentas is a heat-tolerant perennial with star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, often grown as an annual in cooler climates.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Start seeds indoors and transplant seedlings outdoors.
- Soil Temperature: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 9-11
Perennial Sunflower
Perennial Sunflower is a hardy perennial with bright yellow flowers that add late-summer color to gardens, making it a wonderful choice for flowers to plant in July. Here is where I recommend buying perennial Sunflower seeds.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors or transplant seedlings.
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Russian Sage
Russian Sage is a drought-tolerant perennial with silvery foliage and tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers, perfect for sunny borders.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors or transplant seedlings.
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Recommended reading: How to Care for Russian Sage
Yarrow
Yarrow is a hardy perennial with clusters of small, colorful flowers and feathery foliage, known for its medicinal properties.
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors or transplant seedlings.
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Zinnia
Zinnia is an easy-to-grow annual with vibrant, daisy-like flowers in a range of colors, making it ideal for cutting gardens and borders as flowers to plant in July.
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Directly sow seeds outdoors; transplanting is successful.
- Soil Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny; in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: Not applicable, grown as an annual.
Recommended reading: How to Plant Zinnias from Seeds
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